Sukumar Suguna Narasimhulu

Sukumar Suguna Narasimhulu, MBBS, MPH, MD, is a nationally recognized pediatric cardiac intensivist and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Florida College of Medicine. He serves as Director of the Pediatric Ventricular Assist Device Program and Director of the Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Program at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital.

He is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Cardiology at the University of Florida College of Medicine and a senior pediatric cardiac intensivist at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital. He is triple board-certified in Pediatrics, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, and Pediatric Cardiology, and also holds a Master of Public Health (MPH), reflecting his commitment to clinical excellence, quality improvement, and population health.

Dr. Suguna Narasimhulu specializes in the care of critically ill neonates, children, and adults with congenital and acquired heart disease. His clinical expertise includes pediatric cardiac critical care, neonatal cardiac intensive care, advanced heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), ventricular assist devices (VAD), heart transplantation, and mechanical circulatory support. He provides comprehensive care for some of the most medically complex pediatric cardiovascular patients and is recognized for integrating evidence-based medicine with multidisciplinary, family-centered care.

He serves as Director of the Pediatric Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Program and Director of the Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Program at the University of Florida. Under his leadership, these programs have expanded into regional referral centers providing advanced therapies for children with complex congenital heart disease, pulmonary vascular disease, and end-stage heart failure. His clinical innovations in ECMO management, mechanical circulatory support, neurodevelopmental care, and pulmonary hypertension have contributed to improved outcomes and have established the University of Florida as a leader in advanced pediatric cardiovascular care.

Dr. Suguna Narasimhulu is actively involved in national and international collaborative research and quality improvement initiatives, including the Advanced Cardiac Therapies Improving Outcomes Network (ACTION), the National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative (NPCQIC), and the Collaborative Research from the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society (CoRe-PCICS). He serves on national working groups focused on myocardial recovery and ventricular assist device management and has contributed to the development of clinical protocols and best practices that influence pediatric cardiac care worldwide.

An accomplished educator and mentor, Dr. Narasimhulu teaches medical students, residents, fellows, pharmacy trainees, nurses, and undergraduate students through bedside instruction, simulation, formal lectures, and multidisciplinary educational programs. He mentors numerous trainees in clinical research and quality improvement, many of whom have gone on to faculty appointments and leadership positions at major academic medical centers. He also teaches the University of Florida’s interprofessional undergraduate course, Putting Families First, which emphasizes compassionate, patient- and family-centered healthcare.

Dr. Suguna Narasimhulu has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and scientific presentations in pediatric cardiology and cardiac critical care. He is a sought-after invited speaker at national and international conferences, where he lectures on ventricular assist devices, pulmonary hypertension, ECMO, congenital heart disease, neurodevelopment, and advanced cardiac intensive care. His career is driven by a commitment to improving outcomes for children with complex cardiovascular disease through innovation, collaboration, education, and clinical excellence.