Author: Liz Torrey

As he approaches his 40^th year of practicing cardiac electrophysiology at VCU and the Pauley Heart Center, Kenneth Ellenbogen, MD, has decided to further expand his clinical practice and research portfolio. To allow for this expansion, he will transfer some of his current administrative responsibilities to Jayanthi Koneru, MD, who will become director of Pauley’s clinical cardiac electrophysiology and pacing team and the Kenneth A. Ellenbogen Electrophysiology Lab at the VCU Medical Center, effective July 1. 2025. (The electrophysiology lab was named for Dr. Ellenbogen in 2022, thanks to a generous gift from Rick Burton and Mike Shebelskie.) In addition to his research and clinical work, Ellenbogen will remain in his role as the Martha M. and Harold W. Kimmerling Chair in Cardiology within the VCU School of Medicine, and will also be partnering with Pauley Heart Center director Greg Hundley, MD, as they work to grow Pauley’s clinical footprint in central Virginia and expand access to the best cardiovascular care in the commonwealth.

“I am thrilled that Dr. Ellenbogen will continue to attract a wide variety of clinical trials to the Pauley Heart Center and provide truly world-class heart rhythm clinical care to our patients—both those who live in central Virginia, and those who come to Pauley from all over the world to be seen by our electrophysiology team,” said Pauley Heart Center director Greg Hundley, MD. “Further, I know that Dr. Koneru—who has already contributed numerous innovations and insights to the diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disorders—will do an outstanding job in guiding the electrophysiology team in its position as a national leader in this field.”

Koneru’s association with the Pauley Heart Center began in 2010, when he began his cardiac electrophysiology fellowship here, under the mentorship and direction of Ellenbogen. In 2012, Koneru joined the Pauley faculty as an electrophysiologist. Today, he is a professor of medicine in the Division of Cardiology and also serves as the cardiac electrophysiology fellowship program director.

Koneru is a nationally recognized expert in the field of conduction system pacing. His research interests include mapping and ablation of complex arrhythmias; post-operative atrial tachycardias; atrial fibrillation; ventricular tachycardias in LVAD patients and shock reduction in patients with ICDs; and ablation with hybrid approach for supraventricular and ventricular tachycardias. He is actively involved in clinical trials of investigational mapping technologies for atrial fibrillation and atrial tachycardias. Koneru currently serves as vice chair of the Scientific Documents Committee of the Heart Rhythm Society; in this role, he oversees the development and endorsement of scientific statements, state of the art reviews, clinical decision pathways, and white papers relevant to the needs and clinical practice of heart rhythm teams.

“Dr. Ellenbogen has established one of the preeminent electrophysiology programs in the country through sheer dint of diligence, force of intellect, research, and a fantastic track record of mentorship to physicians all over the country,” said Dr. Koneru. “I am privileged to lead a section of world-class electrophysiologists and will strive to continue our excellence in the field of electrophysiology.”

Ellenbogen joined the VCU faculty in 1986 and earned the rank of full professor of medicine in 1997. He was integral in the foundation and development of the Pauley Heart Center, serving as chair of the Division of Cardiology from 2010-2021 and vice chair of the division from 2003-2010. Ellenbogen has earned Pauley international recognition for its excellence and contributions to cardiovascular health; he has published more than 600 manuscripts and 10 textbooks and has contributed to almost every major advance in the treatment of heart rhythm disorders over the past 25 years. In the past ten years alone, Ellenbogen has brough in more than $18 million in research funding to VCU, while also attracting significant donor support, mentoring hundreds of professionals, and lecturing all over the world. Ellenbogen serves on the Board of Trustees for the Heart Rhythm Society and served as president of the Society for the 2024-2025 term.

“Dr. Koneru and I have worked together for over 12 years,” said Dr. Ellenbogen. “He is our ‘go-to guy’ for the most difficult procedures and complex cases we do. He is an outstanding teacher and role model. I am proud that he will continue the tradition of excellence in patient care, clinical research and teaching. I can think of no finer person to fill my shoes, and I look forward to working with him for many years.”