Biography

Jennifer Thibodeau, M.D., M.S.C.S., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine’s Division of Cardiology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, where she is also Medical Director of the Heart Failure Program and the ECMO Program.

A cardiologist who specializes in heart failure, left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), and cardiac transplantation, Dr. Thibodeau focuses both her clinical and research activities in those areas.

Board certified in cardiovascular disease and advanced heart failure/transplant cardiology, she joined the UT Southwestern faculty in 2011.

In addition to her clinical responsibilities, Dr. Thibodeau instructs and supervises medical students, internal medicine residents, cardiology fellows, and advanced heart failure/transplant cardiology fellows during heart-failure rotations and clinics.

Dr. Thibodeau earned her medical degree at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. She completed an internal medicine internship and residency at the University of Maryland Medical Center, serving an additional year as Chief Resident. She completed her fellowships in cardiology and advanced heart failure/transplant cardiology at UT Southwestern. She also holds an undergraduate degree in biochemistry from Georgetown University and a master's degree in clinical sciences from UT Southwestern.

She was a 2012 finalist for the American Heart Association’s Samuel A. Levine Young Clinical Investigator Award and a recipient of the 2015 "Young Author Achievement Award" by the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Heart Failure. Dr. Thibodeau is a clinical researcher involved with a number of clinical trials at UT Southwestern, and her work has been published in major journals, including a study describing a new symptom of heart failure, called bendopnea, or shortness of breath when bending forward.

She is a member of professional organizations that include the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation, and the Heart Failure Society of America.

Dr. Thibodeau was named a Texas Rising Star in 2015, 2016, and 2017; and in 2018, she was named a Super Doctor by Texas Monthly.

Meet Dr. Thibodeau

Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplantation Specialist

When patients diagnosed with heart failure choose cardiology specialist Jennifer Thibodeau, M.D., and UT Southwestern Medical Center for their cardiac care, they get the peace of mind that comes with selecting a heart care team that’s unsurpassed in Texas.

“Our program is among the best in the country,” says Dr. Thibodeau. “I am proud to be part of a team of such skilled and experienced colleagues who have such compassion for their patients.”

As the Medical Director of Heart Failure at UT Southwestern, Dr. Thibodeau’s clinical focus is on medically managing patients with heart failure, including those whose conditions are so advanced that they require a heart transplant or left ventricular assist device (LVAD). She is also interested in the hemodynamic assessment of patients with dyspnea and heart failure.

“I enjoy the challenge and satisfaction of caring for patients with heart failure,” says Dr. Thibodeau. “One of the most gratifying parts of my job is to be able to offer those who have advanced heart failure a second chance at life with a heart transplant. At the same time, it is extremely rewarding to be able to improve the symptoms, quality of life, and outcomes of patients who are not as advanced as to need transplant or LVAD."

She thrives on caring for her patients and values the bond she develops with them.

“I believe it's essential for patients and their physicians to develop a good, trusting relationship, and I find great joy in taking care of patients over many years and really getting to know them and their families,” says Dr. Thibodeau.

“I’m very proud of the excellent care that UT Southwestern delivers to our heart failure patients,” Dr. Thibodeau adds.

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Education & Training
  • Fellowship - UT Southwestern Medical School (2007-2010), Cardiology
  • Graduate School - UT Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
  • Fellowship - UT Southwestern Medical School (2010-2011), Advanced Heart Failure & Transplant Cardiology
  • Chief Resident - University of Maryland Medical Center (2006-2007), Internal Medicine
  • Residency - University of Maryland Medical Center (2003-2006), Internal Medicine
  • Medical School - University of Maryland School of Medicine (1999-2003)
Professional Associations & Affiliations
  • American Heart Association
  • International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation
  • Heart Failure Society of America, FHFSA
  • American College of Cardiology, FACC
Honors & Awards
  • Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Heart Failure's Young Author Achievement Award 2015
  • American Heart Association Samuel A. Levine Young Clinical Investigator Award Finalist 2012
Books & Publications
Research
  • Ventricular assist devices
  • Symptoms of heart failure
  • Hemodynamics
  • Cardiomyopathy
  • Cardiac Transplantation
  • Advanced Heart Failure

Clinical Focus

  • Heart Failure & Cardiac Support
  • Cardiomyopathies
  • Heart Transplant

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Q&A by Dr. Thibodeau