Meet One of NYC’s Rising Cardiology Leaders: Physician Affiliate Group of New York, P.C. (PAGNY) Dr. Rosy Thachil Named to Forty Under 40

In a time of transformative change for cardiovascular medicine, Cardiovascular Business has unveiled its prestigious Forty Under 40 Class of 2025—an elite group of young visionaries shaping the future of heart health through innovation, research, and leadership. Among them, PAGNY provider Rosy Thachil, MD, FACC, Director of the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) at NYC Health + Hospitals and Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, is redefining what’s possible in cardiovascular care.

Dr. Thachil has been instrumental in developing the newly recognized field of critical care cardiology, serving on the American College of Cardiology’s Critical Care Cardiology Leadership Council and co-chairing the Industry and Innovation Council for the Society of Critical Care Cardiology. A fierce advocate for health equity and women’s representation in medicine, she co-chairs the Gender Equity Task Force of the American Medical Women’s Association and has contributed to national policy efforts addressing disparities in healthcare.

To gain deeper insight into her journey and leadership, we invited Dr. Thachil to reflect on her recognition, the future of cardiology, and the values that guide her work. Her thoughtful responses offer a powerful glimpse into what it means to lead with purpose in today’s evolving healthcare landscape.

Q&A with Dr. Rosy Thachil

Director, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, NYC Health + Hospitals
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
2025 Forty Under 40 Honoree – Cardiovascular Business

PAGNY: What inspired you to pursue a career in cardiology?
Dr. Thachil:
I was drawn to cardiology primarily because of the acute care element—the high-stakes decision-making and the potential to change the trajectory of someone’s life in a single moment. During my early rotations in medical school, I saw firsthand how skilled cardiac teams could stabilize a crashing patient and guide them back to recovery.

What also captivated me was the sheer breadth of the field. Cardiology touches so many domains—inpatient and outpatient care, imaging, procedures, critical care, research, and more. You can spend each day in a different area, which keeps the work both intellectually challenging and incredibly rewarding.

PAGNY: How does it feel to receive national recognition through the Forty Under 40 list—and what does this moment mean to you in your career?
Dr. Thachil:
It’s incredibly humbling. This recognition reflects not just my own work, but also the mentors and sponsors who’ve supported me, the teams I’ve collaborated with, and the communities I’ve had the privilege to serve.

Starting my career with PAGNY at NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi and now leading a CICU, this moment is affirming, showing that meaningful, innovative work can thrive within public health systems like NYC Health + Hospitals.

PAGNY: What drives your passion for cardiovascular health?
Dr. Thachil:
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S. and globally, yet outcomes are still often determined by factors like gender, ethnicity, geography, and access to care.

I’m passionate not only about treating disease, but also about transforming systems, advancing high-value care models, promoting equity, and using innovation to ensure that every patient has a fair chance at the best possible outcome. Medicine is powerful, but so are the systems surrounding it that determine who gets to heal. I am driven to improve both.

PAGNY: Looking ahead, what innovations or changes in cardiology are you most excited about?
Dr. Thachil:
I’m excited about the evolution of critical care cardiology as its own specialty, the potential of AI-powered diagnostics, and the continued shift toward patient-centered, value-based care.

There’s an enormous opportunity to train and support future cardiologists—not just as clinicians, but as leaders. The future of cardiology is about human-centered innovation.

PAGNY: What has been one of the most rewarding moments in your career so far?
Dr. Thachil:
It’s hard to name just one. Being part of the growing critical care cardiology community has been incredibly fulfilling.

But the most meaningful moments often come quietly: when a patient walks out of the hospital against all odds, and I know our team helped make that possible. Or when a resident I’ve mentored tells me they’ve matched into cardiology.

PAGNY: Why did you choose to build your career at PAGNY and NYC Health + Hospitals?
Dr. Thachil:
I was drawn to NYC Health + Hospitals—and began with PAGNY—because I wanted to care for a diverse, often underserved patient population. Safety-net hospitals sit at the intersection of need and possibility.

They’ve allowed me to practice mission-driven medicine while continuing to grow as a clinician, educator, and leader. That balance has been essential for me.

PAGNY: How has your experience at PAGNY and NYC Health + Hospitals supported your growth as a leader in your field?
Dr. Thachil:
Working in a safety-net system that manages high-acuity care with limited resources has sharpened my ability to think critically, lead adaptively, and advocate fiercely. This environment challenges you and molds you into a resourceful and grounded leader.

It has also deepened my commitment to health equity, system improvement, and mentorship.

PAGNY: What advice would you give to others pursuing a meaningful career in medicine?
Dr. Thachil:
Stay curious, stay human, and stay anchored in your “why.” Build your skills relentlessly but also nurture your empathy and your voice.

And don’t be afraid to lead, especially in spaces where your presence can challenge the status quo. That’s where true progress and innovation happens.