Board-certified cardiologist Lisa Weiss Forbess, M.D., has joined Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute. Dr. Forbess is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Cardiovascular Disease and Adult Congenital Heart Disease and specializes in non-invasive cardiology with a focus on congenital heart disease and heart disease in pregnancy. She also has expertise in echocardiography, valvular heart disease and heritable disorders of the heart and aorta.
“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Forbess to our team,” said Tom C. Nguyen, M.D., chief medical executive of Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, director of minimally invasive valve surgery, and the distinguished Barry Katzen endowed chair. “Adult congenital heart disease requires care from a highly trained and experienced specialist. Our patients will benefit from Dr. Forbess’ expertise.”
Lisa Weiss Forbess, M.D
As part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing our offerings, Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute continues to expand its portfolio of experts and services, catering to a myriad of cardiovascular conditions. Dr. Jonathan Fialkow, M.D., Deputy Director of MCVI, Chief of Cardiology, and Co-Medical Director of the Institute's Lipid Management Program, emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary care. He stated, "Throughout her career, Dr. Forbess has been dedicated to treating patients in need of innovative care from a diverse team of experts. We eagerly anticipate collaborating with her to deliver comprehensive care to our patients."
Prior to joining Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, Dr. Forbess served as medical director of Adult Congenital Heart Disease and Heart Disease in Pregnancy at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and as associate professor of internal medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
Dr. Forbess earned her medical degree at Harvard Medical School. She completed her internship and residency in internal medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. She also completed a fellowship in cardiovascular disease and received specialized training in echocardiography and pediatric cardiology at Duke University Medical Center. It was during this training that mentors piqued her interest in valvular and congenital heart disease.
Dr. Forbess’ specialties require collaboration with diverse team, including adult and pediatric interventional cardiologists, congenital heart surgeons as well as obstetricians, gynecologists, maternal fetal medicine specialists and geneticists. The treatment of congenital heart disease also requires assessment of a patient’s unique cardiac diagnosis, history and current health status.
“To provide the best care, I make every effort to fully understand details of the patient’s congenital heart disease and prior surgeries,” Dr. Forbess said. “This diligence is critical in determining the best care and properly educating the patient and family.”
Dr. Forbess excels at helping teenagers and young adults with congenital heart disease transition their care from pediatric to adult cardiology. In her previous role, she partnered with pediatric cardiologists to create a Transition Education Program for these patients. With her knowledge of the risks of pregnancy for both mother and fetus, Dr. Forbess provides preconception counseling and management of heart disease in pregnancy and collaborates with the patient’s pregnancy care providers.
In addition to providing patient education, Dr. Forbess enjoys teaching and training medical students and residents. Her clinical research focuses on outcomes in adults with congenital heart disease.
Dr. Forbess is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and member of the Alliance for Adult Research in Congenital Cardiology.
Patients can see Dr. Forbess at two Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute locations: 7400 SW 87 Ave., Suite 100, Miami; and 5000 University Dr., Suite 3300, Coral Gables.
