Dr. Mariell Jessup

Dr. Mariell Jessup, MD, FACC, FAHA, FESC

Mariell Jessup, MD, FACC, FAHA, FESC, is a cardiologist and cardiovascular science leader whose base is American Heart Association and the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine in Dallas, Texas, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and whose field is heart failure, transplantation and cardiovascular science leadership. She holds the position of Chief Science and Medical Officer of the American Heart Association and Emeritus Professor of Medicine.

Dr. Mariell Jessup served as Chief Scientific Officer of the Leducq Foundation from January 2017 to August 2018 before taking up her role at the American Heart Association, having earlier been medical chief of the heart and vascular program and clinical chief of cardiology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. She is a recipient of the Gold Heart Award.

A clinician scientist in cardiology is medically qualified and trained in cardiology, and spends most of the working week on research rather than on clinics. The output is evidence: trials, cohort studies and the guidelines built from them. Dr. Mariell Jessup works in heart failure, transplantation and cardiovascular science leadership.

Dr. Mariell Jessup Credentials And Affiliation Details

• Full Name And Credentials: Mariell Jessup, MD, FACC, FAHA, FESC
• Profession: Cardiologist and cardiovascular science leader
• Field Of Focus: Heart failure, transplantation and cardiovascular science leadership
• Current Position: Chief Science and Medical Officer of the American Heart Association and Emeritus Professor of Medicine
• Institution: American Heart Association and the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
• Location: Dallas, Texas, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Sees Patients: Not in routine outpatient clinics; works mainly in research and leadership
• Previous Appointments: Served as Chief Scientific Officer of the Leducq Foundation from January 2017 to August 2018 before taking up her role at the American Heart Association, having earlier been medical chief of the heart and vascular program and clinical chief of cardiology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

Where Dr. Mariell Jessup Studied

The qualifications below are drawn from the institutional, professional body and publisher sources listed at the end of this profile.

• Medical Degree: MD, Hahnemann University School of Medicine, Philadelphia
• Specialty Training: Cardiovascular disease, with subspecialty practice in heart failure and cardiac transplantation

Dr. Mariell Jessup Subspecialty Expertise

Published professional sources describe the work of Dr. Mariell Jessup as centred on:

• Heart failure diagnosis and management
• Cardiac transplantation
• Cardiovascular guidelines and standards
• Women’s cardiovascular health
• Disparities in cardiovascular care

Positions, Editorial And Guideline Roles Of Dr. Mariell Jessup

• Chief Science and Medical Officer of the American Heart Association, leading its science and medical strategy
• Emeritus Professor of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
• President of the American Heart Association from 2013 to 2014
• Chaired the 2009 American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association heart failure guidelines
• Chaired the American Heart Association Committee on Scientific Sessions Program in 2009 and 2010
• Former Chief Scientific Officer of the Leducq Foundation
• Co-editor of Heart Failure, a Clinician’s Guide to Ambulatory Diagnosis and Treatment

Dr. Mariell Jessup Research Output And Awards

• Gold Heart Award, the highest honour of the American Heart Association, 2018
• Distinguished Leadership Award, Heart Failure Society of America, 2021
• Joint European Society of Cardiology and World Heart Federation Award for Outstanding Contribution to Global Cardiovascular Health
• Internationally recognised as a thought leader in heart failure research, prevention and treatment
• A longstanding advocate for improving women’s cardiovascular health and for addressing disparities in care

Clinical Setting For Dr. Mariell Jessup

American Heart Association and the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine

Dallas, Texas, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This is primarily an academic and research base rather than a general outpatient clinic. Enquiries about research, teaching or media are handled by the institution rather than by this directory.

Background On Heart Failure And Transplant Cardiology

About half of all heart failure occurs with a normal pumping fraction, a condition called heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. The heart contracts normally but has become stiff and fills poorly, and the symptoms can be just as disabling. It is commoner with age, in women, and alongside high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes and kidney disease. For years no treatment improved outcomes; recent trials have changed that, and the main obstacle now is that the condition is often missed because the standard scan looks reassuring.

Further Specialists Working In Heart Failure And Transplant Cardiology

If you are comparing specialists, these profiles cover closely related areas of cardiology:

• Dr. Milton Packer, heart failure pharmacotherapy at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, with a visiting professorship at Imperial College London
• Dr. Sanjiv Shah, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Northwestern Memorial Hospital
• Dr. Clyde Yancy, heart failure and transplantation at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Northwestern Memorial Hospital
• Dr. Javed Butler, heart failure therapeutics at Baylor Scott and White Research Institute and the University of Mississippi Medical Center

Browse the full cardiologist directory for more heart specialists.

How To Reach Dr. Mariell Jessup

This specialist does not run routine outpatient clinics. Dr. Mariell Jessup works mainly in research, clinical trials, teaching and professional leadership. She practised heart failure and transplant cardiology for thirty years at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and now leads the science enterprise of a national cardiovascular organisation. Research, teaching and media enquiries go to American Heart Association and the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine directly. If you are looking for an appointment, ask your own doctor for a referral to a practising cardiologist, or use the enquiry button on this page and we will point you towards one in the directory.

Questions About Dr. Mariell Jessup Answered

What does Dr. Mariell Jessup specialise in?

Dr. Mariell Jessup is a cardiologist and cardiovascular science leader whose work centres on heart failure, transplantation and cardiovascular science leadership. Particular areas of focus include heart failure diagnosis and management; and cardiac transplantation.

Where is Dr. Mariell Jessup based?

Dr. Mariell Jessup works at American Heart Association and the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine in Dallas, Texas, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Does Dr. Mariell Jessup see patients?

Not in a routine consulting capacity. Dr. Mariell Jessup works mainly in research, trials, teaching and professional leadership rather than general outpatient clinics. For an appointment, ask your own doctor for a referral to a practising cardiologist.

What did Dr. Mariell Jessup study?

MD, Hahnemann University School of Medicine, Philadelphia. Full training details appear in the education section above.

What are the qualifications of Dr. Mariell Jessup?

Mariell Jessup, MD, FACC, FAHA, FESC. Full credentials are listed above.

What position does Dr. Mariell Jessup hold?

Dr. Mariell Jessup is Chief Science and Medical Officer of the American Heart Association and Emeritus Professor of Medicine, based at American Heart Association and the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine.

Sources Used For This Profile Of Dr. Mariell Jessup

• American Heart Association leadership profile
• Heart Failure Society of America
• University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine

Accuracy And Review Of This Dr. Mariell Jessup Profile

This profile was compiled from the public professional sources listed above, including university faculty pages, professional register and society records, journal author statements and publisher biographies. Qualifications, appointments and awards were checked against at least two independent sources where available. Last reviewed on 30 October 2026.

Update note: Served as Chief Scientific Officer of the Leducq Foundation from January 2017 to August 2018 before taking up her role at the American Heart Association, having earlier been medical chief of the heart and vascular program and clinical chief of cardiology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Found something out of date? Contact the Find MD Health editorial team and we will review the entry.

Important Disclaimer About Dr. Mariell Jessup

Information only, not medical advice, and not a listing for appointments. For individual care, see your own doctor. Severe or sudden chest pain is a medical emergency.