Women’s Heart Program

Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in women in the United States. According to the CDC, more than 60 million women in the U.S. live with cardiovascular disease and only about half recognize it.

At the Women’s Heart Program, we have cardiologists at various clinics who offer expert care for women who have active cardiovascular disease and those who have risk factors.

Our Team

Essraa Bayoumi, MD

Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology
Director, Women’s Heart Program
Program Director, Paula Miller Women’s Heart Fellowship Program

I provide care for women with cardiovascular needs across their lifespans. As part of the cardio-obstetrics team, I provide specialized cardiac care to women before, during and after pregnancy. I am the CO-PI for the UNC site of the HOPE trial looking at outcomes of pregnant women with cardiovascular disease. I also have an interest in caring for women with rheumatological disease wishing to be counseled on prevention or who have active cardiac symptoms and disease. I am board certified in cardiology, echocardiography and cardiac CT.

Susan Gilchrist, MD, MS

Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology
Director of Preventive Cardiology Clinic
Co-Director of Cardio-Oncology

I am a board-certified cardiologist and epidemiologist with a strong commitment to cardiovascular prevention. In my role as the director of the preventive cardiology clinic and co-director of cardio-oncology, I focus on lifestyle and pharmacologic interventions for the prevention and treatment of heart disease.

I have an interest in women’s heart health after cancer diagnosis. Patients and providers can request a referral to the cardio-oncology clinic requesting Dr. Gilchrist.

I also have an interest in women with a strong family history of CAD who want further risk assessment. Patients can be seen in the UNC Cardiovascular Prevention Clinic.

Sameer Prasada, MD

Assistant Professor of Medicine, Department of Cardiology

I am an interventional cardiologist with a focus on catheter-based procedures to diagnose and treat coronary artery disease, cardiogenic shock, pulmonary embolism, and peripheral artery disease. I am an active researcher in improving outcomes for patients with heart attacks.

I trained in cardiology and vascular medicine during cardiology fellowship at Cleveland Clinic and developed clinical interest in fibromuscular dysplasia/SCAD. Patients can request a referral for a visit in my SCAD clinic.

Jenna Skowronski, MD

Assistant Professor of Medicine, Department of Cardiology
Director of Cardio-Obstetrics

Dr. Skowronski is a cardiologist specializing in women’s cardiovascular health, with clinical and research interests in advanced heart failure, transplant cardiology, and cardio-obstetrics. Fellowship trained in heart failure and advanced therapies, including cardiac transplantation and left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), she brings this expertise to the comprehensive care of women across the lifespan. As Director of Cardio-Obstetrics, she is deeply committed to delivering patient-centered care tailored to the unique cardiovascular needs of women, with particular focus on supporting those with or at high risk for heart disease before, during, and after pregnancy. She values building long-term relationships with her patients and is passionate about advancing integrated care for women through the Women’s Heart Center.

Where We See Patients

UNC Hospitals Outpatient Center at Eastowne (Cardiology)
100 Eastowne Drive Chapel Hill, NC 27514

UNC Cardiology at Panther Creek
6715 McCrimmon Parkway, Suite 300 Cary, NC 27519

Women’s Health and Heart Clinic at UNC Rex
2800 Blue Ridge Road Suite 204 Raleigh, NC 27607

How to Make a Referral via Epic or UNC CareLink

EPIC Order for Cardiology Referral

Choose appropriate subspecialty clinic from drop-down. If unavailable, please specify the provider name and reason for visit.

UNC CareLink Referrals

Community-based physicians and their staff who would like to use our electronic referral portal or gain secure, read-only access to UNC’s electronic medical records system may request a UNC CareLink account at unccarelink.org. If you have questions about enrollment, please email unccarelink@unchealth.unc.edu.