Kelly R. Richardson, MD

Dr. Kelly Richardson is a highly experienced physician-scientist and cardiac electrophysiologist with The Chattanooga Heart Institute. She specializes in Cardiology and Electrophysiology, Dr. Richardson is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in both Cardiovascular Disease and Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology. A native of Chattanooga, she started her journey by earning her Bachelor of Science degree with highest distinction from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill before graduating with high honors from Vanderbilt Medical School. She then completed her Internal Medicine residency at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston. Because of her passion for cardiology, Dr. Richardson pursued fellowships in Cardiology and Cardiac Electrophysiology at Stanford University, as well as a fellowship in Biodesign, which combined medicine and engineering. Prior to joining The Chattanooga Heart Institute and returning to Chattanooga, she served as a cardiac electrophysiologist and clinical instructor in the San Francisco Bay area. Dr. Richardson believes in the importance of educating her patients about their diagnoses and treatment options. She empowers patients to make informed decisions that align with their wishes. Her journey into medicine stemmed from a love of science and a desire to help others, which she finds fulfilling. She is passionate about her specialty and chose cardiology and specifically electrophysiology because it combines complex problem-solving with hands-on procedures. The field is constantly evolving, especially with advancements in ablation technology, which is both exciting and rewarding. Outside of her professional life, Dr. Richardson enjoys hiking with her husband and children, traveling, and playing tennis.