Ray Hershberger, MD
Physician, Professor
Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease
Make an appointment
614-293-7677Conditions and expertise
- Cardiovascular Diseases
- Heart Failure
- Genetics
- Cardiomyopathies
- Internal Medicine
- Cardiology
Locations
- Ambulatory Care Center in Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital
Academics and research
Department: Internal Medicine
About
- Gender
- Male
Biography
I am a board-certified cardiologist specializing in advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. I also have expert knowledge of cardiovascular genetics and provide cardiovascular genetics evaluations at OSUWMC.
I chose a career in medicine to contribute to the health of the patients I serve. My patients can rely on me for high-quality, compassionate care and honest communication in every encounter. I strive to provide individualized care to help patients achieve their goals.
In my cardiovascular genetics’ clinic, I work with cardiovascular genetic counselors, and I greatly enjoy working on a multidisciplinary team that places the patient and their needs at the center.
In addition to my clinical responsibilities, I am passionate about advancing cardiovascular care through education and mentorship. I serve as a professor of Internal Medicine in The Ohio State University College of Medicine.
Highlights
- Best Doctor in America 2017
Conditions and expertise
- Cardiology
- Cardiomyopathies
- Cardio-oncology
- Cardiovascular Diseases
- Coronary Care Units
- Genetics
- Heart Failure
- Internal Medicine
Locations
Please note: Not all physicians schedule patients at each listed location.
Credentials
Education
- Fellowship - Cardiovascular Disease
- University of Utah Hospital & Clinics, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
7/1/1985 - 12/31/1989 - Residency - Internal Medicine
- Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, KS
7/1/1983 - 6/30/1984 - Residency - Internal Medicine
- Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, KS
7/1/1979 - 6/30/1981 - Internship - Internal Medicine
- MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC, United States
7/1/1978 - 6/30/1979 - Doctor of Medicine (MD)
- University of Nebraska College of Medicine, Omaha, NE, USA
7/7/1975 - 5/21/1978 - Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Goshen College, Goshen, IN
3/1/1971 - 4/20/1975
Certifications
-
American Board of Internal Medicine/Cardiovascular Disease
11/8/1989 -
American Board of Internal Medicine
9/16/1981
Academics and research
I am a professor of Internal Medicine in Cardiovascular Medicine and Human Genetics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, and my scholarly work centers on cardiovascular genetics. My primary research focus is on the discovery and characterization of the genetic basis of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and the translation new insights into clinical cardiovascular practice.
My research has been supported almost continuously since 1998 by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health. I have authored numerous scientific articles, reviews and guideline statements that have helped shape the field.
I founded the DCM Consortium in 2010, a multi-site investigative network composed of leading heart failure and cardiac transplant programs dedicated to advancing family-based genetic research in DCM.
Under my leadership, 25 sites of the DCM Consortium completed the DCM Precision Medicine Study. We enrolled more than 1,200 patients and 2,000 of their family members to evaluate the hypothesis that most DCM cases have a genetic origin. This landmark study has yielded multiple publications and important insights into the genetic architecture and clinical expression of DCM.
Building on this foundation, my colleagues and I are now planning a substantially larger investigation aimed at further defining the full scope of DCM genetics across diverse clinical settings. This next phase of research is expected to provide an even deeper understanding of genetic contributions to DCM and guide future strategies in diagnosis, risk assessment and precision management.
Research interests
- Cardiovascular Genetics
- Dilated Cardiomyopathy Genetics
Academic information
- Department:
- Internal Medicine
- Division:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
More about my research
News and media
My news coverage
- Study finds no direct link between heavy alcohol use and dilated cardiomyopathy
- Study shows benefit of routine genetic testing of dilated cardiomyopathy patients with advanced heart disease
- Study highlights need for diversity in clinical trials to better understand, treat inherited heart muscle disease
- Clinical screening helps identify family members at risk for heart muscle disease
- Informational booklet improved family screening for inherited heart muscle disease
- Study finds higher risk in families of black patients with inherited heart muscle disease
- Ohio State researchers name 19 genes associated with heart muscle disease
- Consortium Awarded $12.4 Million to Study Genetic Heart Condition
- Hershberger to Lead Ohio State's Human Genetics Division
Consulting and related relationships
At The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, we support a faculty member’s research and consulting in collaboration with medical device, research and/or drug companies because a faculty member’s expertise can guide important advancements in the practice of medicine and improve patient care. In order to provide effective management of these relationships, the University requires annual disclosures from all faculty members with external interests related to their University responsibilities.
As of 11/3/2025 Ray Hershberger has reported relationships with the companies or entities listed below. If you have questions about the relationships listed below, please ask the faculty member. If you have questions about how these relationships are monitored by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, please contact our Compliance Office.
- Alexion Pharma/Syneos Health
- Rocket Pharmaceuticals