Dr Michelle S. Lim

Dr Michelle Lim is a cardiologist with expertise in diseases of the aorta including heritable conditions such as Marfan Syndrome, Loeys-Dietz Syndrome and vascular Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (vEDS). She has extensive experience in providing personalized care to patients and families affected by genetic aortic conditions, as well as patients with aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, and other conditions including congenital bicuspid aortic valve. Dr Lim is passionate about the utilization of precision medicine to provide comprehensive individualised care, and works closely with experienced cardiothoracic and vascular aortic surgeons, and clinical geneticists, to care for patients with complex aortic disease.

Dr Lim also practices general cardiology and sees patients with a wide range of heart conditions. She has an interest in transthoracic and trans-oesophageal echocardiography, and her attention to detail in her clinical practice enables her to provide individualised care for patients with chronic and complex heart disease.

CARDIOLOGY AND SUBSPECIALTY AORTIC TRAINING
Dr Lim completed undergraduate medical school in 2009 at the University of New South Wales. She worked at Prince of Wales Hospital and then at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital where she completed specialist cardiology training, becoming a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in 2018.

Dr Lim then undertook clinical and scientific research exploring the clinical and genetic aspects of the congenital bicuspid aortic valve and associated aortic disease, and in 2022 was awarded a PhD at The University of Sydney.

During this time, Dr Lim also undertook additional training in echocardiography and obtained a Diploma in Diagnostic Ultrasound at the Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine.
In 2022, Dr Lim moved to the USA to pursue an advanced clinical fellowship in aortic diseases at Washington University School of Medicine. She undertook intensive clinical training and research under the tutelage of Professor Alan C. Braverman, a clinical expert and world thought leader in aortic conditions.

Dr Lim is a member of the Institute of Precision Medicine and Bioinformatics in the Sydney Local Health District, and is a clinical champion for the utilisation of precision medicine to provide personalized care for patients with aortic conditions.

RESEARCH
Dr Lim’s PhD at the University of Sydney centered on the clinical and genetic aspects of congenital bicuspid aortic valve and associated aortic disease, springboarding her interest in aortic diseases. In line with her clinical expertise, Dr Lim’s current research interests are in genetically triggered thoracic aortic disease and other aortic conditions including acute aortic syndromes. She has international collaborations with clinicians and scientists from aortic centers across the USA and Europe who have a shared commitment to furthering clinical and scientific discovery for diagnosing and managing aortic conditions and discovering their genetic causes and modifiers.

PATIENT EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY
Dr Lim is passionate about providing care to patients and families affected by aortic disease. She is a part of the GenTAC Alliance Patients, Families, and Clinicians Education and Communication Working Group and works with The Baird Institute to advance aortic research and promote awareness of aortic diseases in the community. Dr Lim is also dedicated to improving understanding of rare aortic conditions amongst health care providers and has been invited to speak at cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery meetings.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO MEDICAL EDUCATION
Dr Lim is a Senior Clinical Lecturer at The University of Sydney School of Medicine. She has been involved in the development of course curriculum for the MD program, and delivers lectures and clinical teaching to medical students. Dr Lim has contributed to higher level education, previously convening the Cardiovascular Metabolic Management course in the Masters in Medicine program at The University of Sydney. Dr Lim’s commitment to medical education extends beyond the University setting, having presented lectures to the wider medical community including other medical sub-specialty departments at RPA Hospital, Specialist General Practitioner network lectures, and workshops to Nursing Staff.

• Bicuspid aortic valve disease and associated aortopathy
• Cardiac imaging - echocardiography and TOE Preventative medicine