Dr. Robby Wu’s path to medicine began when he volunteered as an EMT during college, where he discovered a passion for caring for people during some of life’s most critical moments. An influential cardiology mentor during medical school led him to specialize in cardiology, but it was not until he began practicing that he discovered his passion for addressing the unmet needs in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) care.
Motivated by the knowledge that unmet needs still exist for many people living with HCM, Dr. Wu, director of Tampa General Hospital’s Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Program and assistant professor at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, set out to address the challenges often faced by people living with HCM, including delayed diagnoses and limited access to specialized care.
His goal was simple but powerful: ensure patients have access to the education, expertise and multidisciplinary support they need to navigate a complex disease close to home.
His leadership and advocacy were driving forces behind the establishment of an HCM program at Tampa General Hospital and the hospital’s recognition as an HCMA Recognized Center of Excellence, one of only four in Florida and the only one on the state’s west coast.
But creating the infrastructure to provide high-quality clinical care for people with HCM is only half of the equation. Dr. Wu believes treating HCM extends far beyond managing clinical symptoms and that successful treatment can also be measured by helping patients live their lives as fully as possible.
That philosophy drives his multidisciplinary approach to care, through which he addresses each patient’s needs and concerns individually, recognizing that no two people are alike. While clinical guidelines provide an important foundation, he believes meaningful care requires an understanding of each person’s history, circumstances, goals and challenges.
What’s more, he is passionate about working at an academic medical center as it offers the opportunity to remain at the forefront of HCM and heart failure care while helping patients benefit from the latest technologies and treatment approaches. It also provides access to advanced therapies, including left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) and heart transplantation, creating additional possibilities for patients whose care needs become more complex.|
In addition to caring for patients with HCM, Dr. Wu is passionate about expanding access to specialized cardiovascular care and helping more patients connect with expert care closer to home. He is also actively involved in cardiovascular research, including studies focused on heart failure therapies and emerging technologies.
Yet despite his research accomplishments and recognition, including being named an American Heart Association Leaders of Impact honoree for his work in HCM, Dr. Wu remains focused on what matters most: the care and quality of life of the patients and families he serves.
