Biography

Melanie Sulistio, M.D., is a Professor of Medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine’s Division of Cardiology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Her areas of clinical interest include electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiogram interpretation, hemodynamics, and critical care.

Dr. Sulistio earned her medical degree at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, where she also completed an internal medicine residency, a National Institutes of Health-funded cardiology research fellowship, and a cardiovascular disease fellowship. 

She joined the UT Southwestern faculty in 2009.

In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Sulistio is active in clinical education at UT Southwestern. Her many related roles include serving as Associate Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program (IMRP), Co-Director of the Internal Medicine Simulation Program for Clinical Excellence, Medical Student Educational Director for Cardiology, and Director of the IMRP’s ECG Lecture Series.

Dr. Sulistio’s research focuses primarily on clinical education, and she regularly lectures and presents to professional organizations and medical students.

She has been recognized with honors that include the 2007 Advanced Clinical Exam Skills Best Preceptor Award, an Outstanding Intern Teacher Award, and the 2002 Holt Leadership Award.

Dr. Sulistio is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and a member of the American Heart Association, the Dallas County Medical Society, and the Texas Medical Association.

Meet Dr. Sulistio

General Cardiologist

“There’s nothing more important than the heart,” says Melanie Sulistio, M.D., a member of the cardiology team at UT Southwestern. “There are so many matters of the heart – like people’s lives, families, and what makes them tick – so to me, caring for patients’ hearts is about much more than just the anatomical, medical heart.”

"I can make a huge difference in a patient’s life in a short period of time.” 

Dr. Sulistio describes herself as a general cardiologist – one whose duties include interpreting echocardiograms (“echos”) and electrocardiograms (ECGs), taking care of patients in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, and seeing men and women in clinic for issues such as heart murmurs; palpitations; valve abnormalities, coronary and pericardial disease; chest pain; and blood-flow concerns.

“I really enjoy taking that information and putting it all together in the care of my patients; that’s what drives me,” she says. “I love getting to know my patients and their families as much as I love taking care of their hearts.”

In addition to her patient-care role, Dr. Sulistio is very involved in the clinical education of UT Southwestern medical students, Internal Medicine residents and Cardiology fellows, and she has been honored with a number of teaching and leadership awards.

Dr. Sulistio is enthusiastic about the many advances being made in the field and the promise they hold for patients.

“Cardiology is one of medicine’s most rapidly growing disciplines,” she says, “and there are a lot of exciting new medications and procedures on the horizon that will help us provide the best care for our patients.”

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Education & Training
  • Residency - UT Health Science Center at San Antonio (2002-2005), Internal Medicine
  • Fellowship - UT Health Science Center at San Antonio (2006-2009), Cardiology
  • Medical School - University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (1998-2002)
Professional Associations & Affiliations
  • Texas Medical Association
  • Dallas Medical Society
  • American Medical Association
  • American Heart Association
  • American College of Cardiology
Honors & Awards
  • Medical Dean’s Award 2002
  • Holt Leadership Award 2002
  • ACP-ASIM National Winner 2002, Medical Student Poster and Presentation Competition
  • Outstanding Intern Teacher Award 2003
  • Best Preceptor Award 2007, Advanced Clinical Exam Skills

Clinical Focus

  • Cardiac Imaging
  • General Cardiology

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Q&A by Dr. Sulistio