2026's March spotlight is Dr. Krishnamurty V. Tummalapalli! What they would like to know about the community is: Would you choose same line of work, if you have to redo it? Reply here.
Tell us about yourself.
I have a long presence at Shadyside Hospital, initially as a cardiology fellow and later as a practicing Cardiologist. I am a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine HVI-UPMC, and the Attending Interventional Cardiologist since 1985.
In fact, I inserted the 1st coronary stent in the Pittsburgh area in 1991, before the stents were approved. I obtained the stent from Johnson & Johnson company, followed the humanitarian committee guidelines of Shadyside Hospital, and inserted the stent in a patient who had recurrent restenosis after balloon angioplasty. I also started TEE and Stress Echo programs at Shadyside Hospital, and a radial Cath/PCI program in 2011. I successfully conducted 6 transradial symposia in Pittsburgh, well received by participants with good reviews. Our radial PCI program is going strong. I have been director of Interventional Cardiology program at Shadyside Hospital since 2011. I am teaching regularly and trained many cardiology fellows who became successful cardiologists in and around Pittsburgh, while working as co-director of Cardiology Fellowship program over many years.
I was awarded Senior Physician of Excellence in Clinical Care Award in 2021 by UPMC System. I was promoted to Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2021 and on track to become Full Clinical Professor in 2026. I received special recognition awards in Cardiology in 2009 and in 2019, from Shadyside Hospital medical staff. I have been named Castle Connolly Top Doctor in Interventional Cardiology 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 and was featured in local Pittsburgh Magazine. I have been featured in 'Voice' Magazine of Shadyside Hospital Foundation, several times for my contributions in the field of cardiology. I received 40-year service award from UPMC in June of 2025.
What are you most passionate about?
Family time, travel, watching movies, enjoying outdoors, and spending time with grandkids.
What would you like your colleagues to know about you?
Very passionate about STEMI intervention and photography.