Leadership

Gurusher Panjrath, MD
Institute Director

Dr. Gurusher Panjrath is an Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiologist. He is a Professor of Medicine, Director of the Heart Failure and Mechanical Circulatory Support Program and Infiltrative Cardiomyopathy Program and Director of GW Heart and Vascular Institute. He has a keen interest in education and planning educational programs nationally and internationally and in developing innovative solutions and clinical program building to improve equitable heart failure care. He has served as co-editor of Heart Failure self-assessment programs, on editorial boards and directed development of HF curriculum for PCPs in Latin America. He has spoken widely at both national and international meetings. Dr. Panjrath is the governor elect for the Washington DC chapter for ACC, past chair of the Heart Failure and Transplantation Section of and chair-elect of the solution set oversight committees of ACC. He recently co-chaired the consensus document on HFpEF management. Dr. Panjrath believes in fostering long lasting partnerships with patients, so they can have a better understanding and control over their health. He believes that excellent relationships with community and providers are crucial to optimal access for advanced therapies and care. His recent research has focused on interface of technology and heart failure care. Dr. Panjrath has published in peer reviewed high impact journals and has received several research awards.

Dr. Panjrath attended medical school at Kasturba Medical College in India. He completed his internship and residency at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, where he served as chief resident. He completed fellowship training in Cardiovascular Medicine and Advanced Heart Failure and Transplantation at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. In addition to his fellowship training, he has undergone research training both at Johns Hopkins University, as well as, Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia.

Porsha Hart
Executive Director

Dr. Porsha Hart is the Executive Director of the GW Heart and Vascular Institute, a Certified Project Management Professional and solutionist.

As an AmeriCorps Alum, former Global Ties Citizen Diplomat & Little Rock Sister Cities Commissioner, Porsha learned first-hand the importance of building coalitions cross-culturally. Dr. Hart’s passion for public service enabled her to advise State of Arkansas former Governor Mike Beebe as a Councilwoman.

While on the Council, Porsha Hart used her acumen in mass communication to collaborate with others to lead the Division of Community Service & Nonprofit Support, regarding the importance of volunteerism/philanthropy & its impact on communities.

Dr. Hart was the State of Arkansas first Department of Human Services Fellow for Public Service, where she project managed the state’s first early childhood education developmental screening pilot & created the state’s inaugural mass care for the childcare sector initiative; all while completing a Bachelor of Science in Community Health Promotion, Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management, Graduate Certificate in Conflict Mediation & Masters in International Studies & Conflict Mediation, from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Ms. Hart was a 2016 Status on the Commission of Women delegate, former Co-Chair of the United Nations Association of Women, City of Houston Citizenship Month Steering Committee member and VP of Advocacy for the Dallas chapter of Hadassah.

For over 20 years, Porsha Hart has been a strong leader in conflict resolution/peace keeping, public and media relations, strategic communication, diplomacy, governmental/international relations, early childhood education, politics, government, nonprofit management & youth leadership development.

Furthermore, population health (social determinants of health) and global health; specializing in emerging infectious disease prevention, education, preparedness & recovery. Dr. Hart is also an advocate against injustices, human trafficking & maternal mortality.

Dr. Hart is a member of Women of Color Advancing Peace & Security and Junior League of Howard County. Dr. Porsha Hart is near completion of a PhD in Population Health and is an alumnus of the Bank of America Institute for Women’s Entrepreneurship at Cornell University, Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center Milestone Circles Program, The Campaign School at Yale & International College of Ministry, where she completed a Doctorate in Counseling.