Gabriela Melo Ghisi

Dr. Gabriela Melo Ghisi is an Affiliate Scientist at the KITE Research Institute, focusing on patient education in chronic disease management and global access to cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Collaborating with CR programs worldwide, she has led the successful implementation and evaluation of an evidence-based patient education curriculum in over 10 countries across low-, middle-, and high-income settings.

Dr. Ghisi's interests lie in understanding the mechanisms that promote CR development and implementation in both high- and low- to middle-income countries. This includes investigating gaps in CR availability and affordability, contextual factors facilitating CR diffusion, health system capacity for implementing CR policies and programs, strategies for enhancing access among under-served groups (such as ethnic minorities and women), and delivery of patient education to improve adherence and self-care within CR.

With over 150 manuscripts published in peer-reviewed journals, authorship of clinical practice guidelines and 5 book chapters, and the development of more than 20 CR-related scales, Dr. Ghisi is recognized as one of the top 3 researchers worldwide for "Heart rehabilitation, Cardiovascular Disease, and Metabolic Equivalent" via SciVal (Scopus) from 2020 to 2024. Additionally, she serves as an Associate Editor for 4 scientific journals: Patient Education and Counseling, European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, Global Heart, and Journal of Cardiopulmonary Prevention and Rehabilitation.

Dr. Ghisi serves as Chair of the International Council of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (ICCPR) and Chair of ICCPR's International Cardiac Rehabilitation Registry User Sub-Committee. Additionally, she is a member of ICCPR's Cardiac Rehabilitation Foundations Certification team. Recognized as an Emerging Leader by the World Heart Federation in 2022, Dr. Ghisi continues to make significant contributions to advancing cardiovascular health worldwide.