Melvin R. Echols, MD
Dr. Melvin Echols, MD, is a cardiologist who specializes in heart failure and other cardiovascular conditions. He has extensive experience caring for patients with complex heart disease and helping them manage their condition and improve their heart health.
Dr. Echols earned his medical degree from Morehouse School of Medicine and completed advanced training in internal medicine and cardiovascular disease at Duke University. He is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Morehouse School of Medicine and helps lead cardiovascular clinical research.
His research focuses on heart failure, improving the quality of cardiovascular care, and making sure advances in heart care reach patients from all backgrounds. He is actively involved in clinical research aimed at finding better ways to prevent complications and improve outcomes for people living with heart failure.
Dr. Echols is also a national leader in cardiology and works with professional organizations to improve heart failure care, clinical research, and healthcare quality. His work brings together patient care, research, and education to help people with heart disease live healthier lives.
Board Certifications
American Board of Internal Medicine
Affiliations
Morehouse
Education & Training
- Medical School: Morehouse School of Medicine
- Internship: Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
- Residency: Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
Fellowships
Duke University Medical Center
Locations and Directions
Grady Memorial Hospital
Emergency Care: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Outpatient Care: Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Visiting hours are from 8 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. daily
Publications
- Does Race Still Matter in Heart Failure?
Echols MR, Yancy CW
JACC. Heart failure. 2026;
PMID: 42944672 - Workforce Culture and Engagement: Evolving the American College of Cardiology's Approach to Professional Excellence in Cardiovascular Medicine.
Mieres JH, Mitchell S, Sulistio MS, Velarde GP, Hayes SN, Mehta LS, Makaryus AN, Ayuba GA, Altieri MB, Echols MR
JACC. Advances. 2026;5(11 Pt 2):103343.
PMID: 42887465 - HF STATS 2026: An Updated Report on Heart Failure Epidemiology and Outcomes from the Heart Failure Society of America.
Gorodeski EZ, Fonarow GC, Goyal P, Ahmad FS, Albert NM, Bloom M, Bozkurt B, Breathett K, Carter SJ, Cheng RK, Chuzi S, Clarkson SA, Cowger J, DeFilippis EM, Denfeld QE, Deswal A, Drazner MH, Dunlay SM, Echols MR, Fudim M, Gilbert ON, Greene SJ, Grodin JL, Heidenreich PA, Hummel SL, Jacobs JA, Kanwar MK, Khan MS, Kittleson MM, Lakdawala NK, Lee CS, Masri A, Montgomery R, Oliveros E, Pandey A, Reza N, Sandhu AT, Sauer AJ, Sundaram V, Tang WHW, Vest AR, Vorovich E, Ziaeian B,
Journal of cardiac failure. 2026;
PMID: 42833573 - Digital Health Connectivity as Infrastructure for Rural Cardiovascular Equity.
Johnson AE, Magnani JW, Echols MR, Kitsiou S, Bhatt AB
JACC. Advances. 2026;5(8):103003.
PMID: 42456267 - Heart Failure Wired from Shock to Devices and Home: A New Era of Delivery.
Yehya A, Echols MR
US cardiology. 2026;
PMID: 42338615 - A Burst-Learning Electrocardiogram Curriculum for Internal Medicine Residents: A Single-Center Quality Improvement Initiative.
Esomonye TC, Makawi A, Azees R, Ghali JK, Burgess K, Udongwo N, Volcy J, Echols MR
JACC. Case reports. 2026;31(31):108886.
PMID: 42313024 - Rebuilding U.S. Heart Failure Site-Based Research: A National Expert Authority Blueprint From the Heart Failure Collaboratory.
Echols MR, Fiuzat M, Brinkley DM, Kober L, Whellan DJ, Jessup MR, Malik FI, Chapman R, Fudim M, Mitter SS, Kitzman DW, Lala A, Batchelor W, O'Connor CM, Lindenfeld J
JACC. Heart failure. 2026;14(9):103165.
PMID: 42307508 - Pericardial Hemangioma: A Case Report and Updated Literature Review.
Azees R, Udongwo N, Esomonye T, Kalle F, Amin S, Echols MR
JACC. Case reports. 2026;31(22):108025.
PMID: 42240260 - Aligning Coronary Stent Trial Enrollment With the U.S. Intended-Use Population: Implications of Site Selection.
Batchelor WB, Califf R, Mehran R, Stone G, Blumer V, O'Connor C, Sharma G, Fiuzat M, Douglas P, Coylewright M, Yancy CW, Baron SJ, Kandzari DE, Abbott JD, Echols MR, Rymer JA, Krucoff MW, Spitzer E, Damluji AA
Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2026;87(16):2163-2176.
PMID: 42053200 - Beyond Discriminative Performance and the AUCs: Application and Contextual Limits of AI in Cardiovascular Epidemiology.
Echols MR, Ngonge AL, Matthews L, Rodriguez CJ
Circulation. Population health and outcomes. 2026;19(5):e013158.
PMID: 42047037
PLANNING
PREPARING FOR YOUR VISIT
Whether you’re a patient or you’re visiting one, a little planning beforehand can make your visit to Grady easier and more comfortable. Here, you’ll find everything you need to prepare for your visit, including an appointment checklist, admissions information, dining options, and much more.