Malaysian cardiologist Dr Suraya Hani Kamsani has made history after becoming the first Malaysian woman to obtain a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in electrophysiology, marking a significant milestone for the country’s cardiovascular medicine field.
The Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) Consultant Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist recently received her PhD scroll from the University of Adelaide, Australia. Electrophysiology is a highly specialised area of cardiology focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disorders.
Combining Research With Patient Care
Dr Suraya’s achievement goes beyond earning another academic qualification.
Her milestone reflects IJN’s efforts to develop more clinician-scientists, medical specialists who combine their work treating patients with research and scientific inquiry.
As cardiovascular medicine becomes increasingly complex and technology-driven, research allows clinicians to critically assess new evidence and technologies before translating scientific advances into better clinical practice.
Dr Suraya’s clinical and research work focuses particularly on atrial fibrillation and advanced ablation technologies. She has also contributed to research involving pulsed field ablation (PFA), an emerging technology used to treat abnormal heart rhythms, including first-in-human research in the field.
Her clinical practice includes advanced electrophysiology procedures such as catheter ablation as well as the implantation and management of cardiac rhythm devices.
Her research and publications have meanwhile covered atrial fibrillation, PFA, cardiac pacing and other emerging technologies in electrophysiology.
“It Has to Come Back to the Patient” – Dr Suraya Hani
For Dr Suraya, pursuing her PhD was never simply about adding another qualification to her name.
“For me, pursuing a PhD was never simply about obtaining another qualification. Research teaches us to question, to examine evidence more critically and to understand why we do what we do in clinical practice. Ultimately, that knowledge has to come back to the patient whether through better decision-making, safer procedures or new approaches to treatment,” she said.
Acting Group Chief Executive Officer of IJN, Datuk Dr Shaiful Azmi Yahaya, said modern clinical excellence could no longer rely solely on experience in the treatment room.
He said specialists actively involved in research and advanced academic work are better equipped to evaluate new technologies, challenge existing practices and translate meaningful advances into patient care.
Opening Doors for More Malaysian Women
Dr Suraya’s achievement also represents an important milestone for women pursuing highly specialised areas of cardiovascular medicine.
According to IJN, it demonstrates the opportunities available for Malaysian clinicians to contribute to medical research and innovation at an international level.
For IJN, the milestone is also part of a bigger mission: strengthening the connection between clinical care, research and education, ensuring that advances in cardiovascular science ultimately lead to meaningful improvements for patients.