Meet the Doctor: Behnam Bozorgnia, MD
Behnam Bozorgnia, MD, a cardiologist, is Director of Heart Failure and Mechanical Circulatory Support at Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia. He is also Program Director of the Cardiovascular Fellowship. He sees patients at Einstein Cardiology offices on Tabor Road in Philadelphia and on Township Line Road in Elkins Park.
Dr. Bozorgnia is board certified in both cardiovascular disease and advanced heart failure and transplant. His recent publications and research focus on the area of heart failure.
We spoke recently with Dr. Bozorgnia about his career, his interests, and cardiology at Einstein Healthcare Network.
Q: Why did you decide to become a doctor?
A: I come from a family of physicians. My father is a pediatrician. I am one of three siblings who are all doctors. My twin, Babak, and I were roommates during medical school through fellowship, first separated by our first jobs. He is an electrophysiologist with another health system in Pennsylvania. My younger brother is a psychiatrist here in Philadelphia.
Q: Tell us about your education and career to date
A: I earned my medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine and completed my residency in internal medicine at Hahnemann University Hospital. I then went on to do my fellowship in cardiovascular disease at Temple University Hospital.
Q: Why did you choose your specialty?
A: Heart disease remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality, not just in our country but around the world. I also enjoy the simplicity of the heart’s function, yet its elegant design. Over 3 billion heartbeats in a lifetime — no vacations, no weekends, just hard work!
Q: What drew you to Einstein?
A: Einstein brings cutting-edge technology, talent and care to an urban patient population that truly needs it. It is the abundance of pathology, along with state-of-the-art medicine, that brought me to Einstein 13 years ago and has kept me here since.
Q: Why should patients choose Einstein for heart disease care?
A: Since 1865, Einstein’s mission has been providing compassionate, respectful care to anyone regardless of their background. This remains the mission today. Einstein’s medical technology is second to none. The physicians and providers who have chosen Einstein have a mission and a passion for taking care of patients. While every hospital would take care of any underserved patient walking through their doors, Einstein lives it, every day.
Q: What’s new in cardiovascular disease care?
A: The sheer number of patients with heart disease attracts a lot of talent, innovation, and research in the field. With heart failure, there is hardly a week that goes by without a new medication or device being studied or introduced to advance the care of patients, from new medications to remote monitoring technology to artificial heart pumps.
We have a very large heart failure patient population here at Einstein. We have a team-based approach to heart failure management, and we utilize technology such as remote monitoring to reduce unnecessary hospital stays.
Many cardiac patients retain fluid, which makes the work of the failing heart even harder. For this problem, they take diuretics, drugs that increase urine production in the kidneys, promoting the removal of salt and fluid from the body. At Einstein, we established an outpatient infusion center where we administer diuretics through an IV, which is stronger than the pill form. This helps keep patients at home and out of the hospital.
Q: What are your interests outside of work?
A: I enjoy working out at a makeshift gym at home (since the pandemic), spending time with my family, camping, and traveling when possible.
Q: What is your favorite book?
A: I enjoy reading Michael Connolly books. I relate to the mystery solving and tackling complicated puzzles.
Q: What is your favorite sport?
A: I watch football during playoffs. With small children at home, watching the entire season is a luxury not many parents can afford.
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: Gladiator
Q: What is your favorite restaurant?
A: Anywhere with good sushi. It’s heart healthy!
Q: What is an interesting fact about you?
A: I have an identical twin who is also a cardiologist. I was born in Michigan, but grew up in Iran until the age of 19. I experienced war, and a different culture and upbringing. This gives me a different perspective and appreciation for everyday life.
Learn more about heart and vascular care at Einstein.
