West Virginia Executive Winter 2024 | Page 120

Chief of Cardiology , WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals

Kishore Challa , M . D ., FACC

Chief of Cardiology , WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals

KRISTEN UPPERCUE
For Kishore Challa , M . D ., FACC , chief of cardiology at WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals , his parents were the most influential and encouraging people in his life . His father , who was a teacher , gave him advice when Challa graduated from medical school that has stuck with him throughout his career .
“ His advice was to treat every patient as if I were treating him ,” Challa says . “ That way I could never go wrong .”
Challa graduated with honors from Osmania University ’ s Osmania Medical College in Hyderabad , India , in 1982 before completing fellowships in invasive and interventional cardiology at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla , NY , from July 1988 to June 1989 and in cardiology at Coney Island Hospital in Brooklyn , NY , from July 1986 to June 1988 . While at Coney Island Hospital , Challa received the Dr . Samuel Epstein award for being an outstanding fellow in cardiology , the Virginia National Memorial Scholarship award for being the Best Outgoing Resident , the Ghani Mohammad Memorial award for being the Best Outgoing Intern and was named Chief Resident in Internal Medicine .
Challa also completed an internship and residency in internal medicine at Coney Island Hospital from July 1983 to June 1986 . Following that , he began
Photo by John Sibold .
working in West Virginia , where he has resided for 35 years . In his current position as chief of cardiology at WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals and as a partner at South Charleston Cardiology , Challa works closely with patients who have cardiovascular diseases . Challa is especially proud of the WVU Medicine Thomas Hospital team as they continue to transform and serve their community .
“ Thomas has transformed from a small community hospital into the southern hub for WVU Medicine ,” he says . “ We have the best possible team .”
In his current position , Challa integrates new services , such as the expansion of the cardiovascular program to include open heart surgery and vascular services , as well as expanding the catheterization lab .
“ I am honored to be working with such a great team under the leadership of Dr . Rosencrance as we add specialty services at Thomas , including open heart surgery , neurosurgical and vascular services . I truly believe that at Thomas Hospitals , we offer the best quality health care in Southern West Virginia .”
Along with the current expansion of the hospital , Challa is proud of many professional achievements throughout his career . He has been a member of the West Virginia Board of Medicine since 2013 and served as president from 2018
66 WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE