Healing Hearts and Shattering Glass Ceilings: Bassett Cardiovascular Fellows Celebrate Heart Month with Reflections on their Developing Medical Careers

Roudabeh (Roudy) Kiani, MD, and Anjali Prakash, MD, MS, are first-year cardiovascular fellows at Bassett Healthcare Network. They represent the fifth class of this fellowship program and the first time it has included two women at the same time.

As fellows, Dr. Kiani and Dr. Prakash are directly involved in patient care and in research. They are becoming enriched in their cardiovascular care specialty so they can provide the highest quality services to their current and future patients. Cardiovascular care involves conditions impacting the heart and blood vessels.

Dr. Roudy Kiani Carries her Father’s Legacy Forward

Dr. Roudy Kiani was born in Iran and spent her childhood there before moving to Canada. She comes from a family of medical providers, including her mom, Masoumah (Massi) Almani, who was a nurse, and her father, Abdolrazagh (Habib) Kiani, who was one of the top pediatric cardiologists in Iran. His life and career inspired Dr. Kiani to follow in his footsteps, until a tragic diagnosis made her second guess her life path.

Dr. Habib Kiani was diagnosed with cancer that may have been caused by his frequent work with computed tomography (CT) scanners.

“After my dad got his diagnosis, I told my family I wanted to go to veterinary school and help animals. They were supportive, but before my dad passed away, he asked me to just apply to one medical school. I applied, got in, and now I’m so grateful that I listened to him,” said Dr. Kiani. “I remember him through my work. When I have discussions with patients and their families or friends about terminal conditions, I sit down and I cry with them. I know what that’s like. It’s so fulfilling to make that level of connection with others.”

After completing medical school at American University of Antigua in Antigua and pursuing clinical rotations in New York City, where she provided volunteer care to those in need at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Kiani ranked Bassett Healthcare Network as her first choice for her residency. Her decision stemmed from how much she appreciated the environment at Bassett . After her residency at Bassett, she chose to apply exclusively to Bassett for her fellowship because of the positive experiences she had working within the network.

Dr. Kiani is currently interested in research concerning cardiovascular disease in women, specifically focusing on post-menopausal women and the impact hormone-replacement therapy might have on whether an older woman might suffer a heart attack.

“In older medical trials, you would see participants be predominantly male, which led to some women’s symptoms not being recognized as signs of a heart attack,” explains Dr. Kiani. “I feel more research and more focus is needed on women’s cardiovascular systems.”

Dr. Anjali Prakash Finds Purpose in Interventional Care

During her childhood and young adulthood, Dr. Anjali Prakash learned first-hand the potential lifesaving importance that intervention can have when a person is suffering from a heart condition or heart disease.

When she was a child, her grandfather suffered a massive heart attack that no one saw coming. Sadly, he passed away quickly before he could receive any medical care. Later, when she was pursuing her undergraduate degree, her father complained of jaw pain during a family trip to Disney World. He went to the dentist only to find out the pain was caused by heart disease that required open bypass surgery.

“I already had an interest in medicine and cardiology at that point, but my dad’s surgery really drove me to research interventional care. My grandfather had no intervention and he sadly passed away, which deeply impacted our family. My dad had surgical intervention and three months of prolonged recovery. He’s thankfully still with us, but it’s taken a toll on him. Now, I regularly see patients who are stented go home the same day or the day after,” said Dr. Prakash. “The advances made in Interventional Cardiology in just the last few decades are mind-boggling. Some procedures that were once invasive can now be done with what amounts to a small pinprick.”

Dr. Prakash completed her medical education at Indiana University in Indianapolis, Indiana, and her residency at Mount Sinai South Nassau in Oceanside, New York. She’s currently working on research in the field of preventative medicine and coronary artery disease, with a focus on women’s heart health.

“There’s a specific type of heart attack called SCAD, Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection, that women are more predisposed to. I want to learn more about any genetic or hormonal factors that might make a person predisposed to it,” explains Dr. Prakash. “There are hypotheses out there, but we need stronger data. This is a generations old issue that has predominantly affected women, but when there weren’t too many women cardiologists at the table, these medical conditions weren’t prioritized or well-studied. That’s why it’s important to have diverse voices at the table, because people bring different perspectives and priorities.”

Women in Cardiology

According to data from the 2024-2025 academic year, gathered by the American Medical Association and Association of American Medical Colleges in their annual National Graduate Medical Education Census, three Cardiology sub-specialties ranked among the 10 lowest for number of women trainees. The census found women were much more likely to specialize in obstetrics, gynecology, or pediatrics.

“The Cardiology field is certainly male dominated and that can be hard,” said Dr. Kiani, “At times you feel like you must prove yourself, to show that you have the qualifications and deserve to be in the room. It’s always in the back of your mind that you have to be perfect and on top of everything.”

Female physicians in America have made significant strides. As of January 2025, approximately 38.5% of all active doctors in the United States were women. New York State ranked second for most practicing female doctors, second only to California.

Dr. Kiani and Dr. Prakash both shared their gratitude for the unwavering support they receive from their spouses and family members. They also expressed just how much they appreciate their colleagues in Bassett’s Cardiology Department and Cardiovascular Fellowship program.

“I feel very safe and very welcome here,” said Dr. Prakash. “There’s so much to learn and it’s so fascinating. The culture here has been wonderful.”

“Here at Bassett, our colleagues are willing to hear us,” said Dr. Kiani. “They care about us and this program and I think that was really heartwarming for both us.”