Faculty Spotlight: The Transformative Power of Science and Medicine with Dr. Fatima Rodriguez

February 3, 2025

Fatima Rodriguez, MD, is Associate Professor of Medicine (Cardiovascular Medicine) and (by courtesy) the Stanford Prevention Research Center. Dr. Rodriguez specializes in cardiovascular disease prevention, inherited lipid disorders, and cardiovascular risk assessment in high-risk populations. She earned her medical degree from Harvard Medical School and an MPH from the Harvard School of Public Health. Dr. Rodriguez then went on to complete her residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and her fellowship in cardiovascular medicine at Stanford University. Please keep reading to learn a little bit more about Dr. Rodriguez.

1.     What inspired you to pursue both medical school and a Master of Public Health? How does your MPH currently inform your perspective as a physician scientist?

I’ve always loved clinical cardiology and patient care. During medical school, however, I realized that the systemic issues I cared about couldn’t be addressed solely through individual patient interactions. These challenges required a broader, population-based approach to create lasting change. That realization led me to pursue a combined MD/MPH, which I supported through funding and additional training in public leadership via the Harvard Kennedy School’s Zuckerman Fellows program. This experience was transformational and continues to shape my work today. One of the most impactful lessons I learned is that true innovation happens at the intersection of disciplines. We cannot solve big problems in silos.

2.     What has been the most remarkable experience in your career and how did it inform your current perspective in your work?

My decision to pursue cardiology was inspired by my mom, who was diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease at age 40. As a single parent, she struggled for years with dismissed symptoms before finally receiving the care she needed, ultimately a mechanical mitral valve. Remarkably, 30 years later, she underwent a transcatheter valve replacement by my colleague, Dr. Bill Fearon, here at Stanford. This experience underscores the transformative power of science and evidence-based medicine. It’s allowed her to live a fulfilling life and even witness me practicing as a cardiologist. This personal journey reminds me that everything we do in academic medicine—whether it’s research, education, or clinical care—is ultimately about improving both the quantity and quality of our patients’ lives. We all contribute to this mission in unique and meaningful ways.

3.     Is there any advice you would give to young researchers – particularly young women – reading this article?

Do what you love! I feel incredibly fortunate to have a career that allows me to care for patients, mentor (and mostly learn from) students, and lead a research team focused on equitable heart disease prevention. I’m also a mom to three young children, who take great pride in saying their mom “fixes broken hearts.” Finding joy in your work is crucial, and it’s equally important to build a support system that helps you balance the demands of your personal and professional life.

4.     Who do you consider your most important professional role models and why?

I’ve been fortunate to have many extraordinary mentors (including close peer mentors) and sponsors throughout my career, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without their guidance. While the list is too long to name everyone, the mentors I admire most are those who genuinely care about you as a person, beyond accolades or achievements. They’re there to support you, whether you receive the grant or are derailed by reviewer #3. They exemplify professionalism, compassion, and humility in their actions, and I strive to model those qualities in my own career.