A pioneer in cardiac care, Harish Manyam, MD, is beginning the next phase of his career with a commitment to advancing medical education, research, and the treatment of heart issues of Tennessee.
The newly appointed chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine – Chattanooga, Dr. Manyam aims to grow the department’s influence in the community while shaping the next generation of physicians. His leadership marks a new direction for the department, focused on innovation and excellence in patient care.
“Our College of Medicine in Chattanooga is extremely honored to promote a clinician, educator, and researcher of Dr. Manyam’s stature,” said James Haynes, MD, dean of the College of Medicine – Chattanooga. “His innovative approach to the practice of cardiology, education, and clinical operations will be of significant benefit to the families, learners, and institutions of our region.”
Dr. Manyam also serves as chief of the Division of Cardiology at Erlanger. However, he didn’t always know he would end up in cardiology. His journey into the medical field began with a personal story that shaped his ambitions. “I originally got into medicine because I really wanted to help people,” he says. “My uncle getting sick changed my career path from biomedical engineering to medicine.”
Initially, Dr. Manyam was on track to become a surgeon, even going through the match process for surgical programs. However, when he was a medical student at American University of the Caribbean in St. Martin, a chance encounter with the interventional cardiology team in the catheterization lab changed everything. “I saw them opening up arteries with stents, and I thought, ‘that’s definitely what I am going to do,’” he says.
To pursue his newfound passion, Dr. Manyam pivoted to internal medicine, spending three years in residency and a year as chief resident at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He then completed three years in a cardiology fellowship and two additional years specializing in electrophysiology.
His career path eventually brought him to Tennessee, a move sparked by an unexpected meeting. During a fellowship at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, Dr. Manyam met a colleague who spoke highly of Chattanooga.
“I didn’t really know anything about the program or the city, but then I visited and I saw the opportunities for residency and education. I also realized that bringing really advanced cardiovascular care to the community here would be important,” he says. His wife’s love for the city sealed the decision to relocate to Chattanooga.
Throughout his time at the College of Medicine and Erlanger, Dr. Manyam has served in several roles that have provided him unique opportunities to blend clinical work, research, and education. “I have the support of the hospital and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center to progress with research and also progress with teaching our residents, medical students, and fellows, and really forming and creating a path the Department of Medicine,” he says.
“We need good caregivers for the future, and I hope to inspire that in the next generation.”
Dr. Harish Manyam
In his research endeavors, Dr. Manyam has recently made headlines for his involvement in a multinational project to create a leadless atrial pacemaker. As the first surgeon in Tennessee to implant this new device, Dr. Manyam and his team have revolutionized cardiac care by tackling potentially dangerous problems associated with traditional pacemakers and defibrillators.
“This is a great leap forward for the field,” Dr. Manyam says. “We’ve always tried to do things in a way that can save patients’ lives, but now we’re thinking about ways to prevent complications for patients so they can live longer, healthier lives, which is really our mission at UT Health Science Center.”
When asked about what he enjoys most, Dr. Manyam is clear: teaching is his true passion. “If I could teach all the time, I would. I enjoy teaching people and helping them understand difficult concepts, breaking them down to make them easier, so they can feel intrigued and excited about medicine,” he says. “We need good caregivers for the future, and I hope to inspire that in the next generation.”
For Dr. Manyam, working with students and residents is one of the most rewarding parts of his job. “They’re the variable that makes every day exciting. I get to train them and, hopefully, instill a good work ethic and core belief that they care for a bunch of other people,” he says.
As for his future goals, Dr. Manyam remains focused on the present. “Sometimes, I’m just thinking about the wall that is in front of me, not the three other walls I’m going to go through down the road,” he says. For now, his priority is to continue building a strong department that can grow and thrive.