Vera H. Rigolin MD, FASE

Dr. Rigolin is a cardiologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the associate medical director of the Center for Women's Cardiovascular Health of the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute. She specializes in valvular heart disease and echocardiography with a particular focus on women and heart disease.

An associate professor at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, Dr. Rigolin was named the Northwestern University Division of Cardiology Teacher of the Year in 1999. She was also awarded the American College of Cardiology W. Proctor Harvey, M.D., Young Teacher Award. She is the current Cardiology Fellowship Program Director and a member of the Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation.

Dr. Rigolin was awarded a grant from the Northwestern Memorial Women's Board to study 2- and 3-dimensional echocardiography for the assessment of left ventricular geometry on patients with regurgitant valvular heart disease undergoing surgical correction. Her other research initiatives include studies on the effects of beta blockers, contrast perfusion echocardiography, and echocardiographic predictors of response to biventricular pacing in patients with heart failure.

Dr. Rigolin is also active in a number of professional societies, including the American Society of Echocardiography, the American Heart Association Go Red for Women luncheon and Women in Cardiology Committee, the American College of Cardiology, and the American College of Physicians. She also reviews journal articles and abstracts for five major medical journals and scientific societies.