Heidi Rayala, MD, PhD

Heidi Rayala, MD, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School and a Urologic Surgeon at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. She earned her MD and PhD in Molecular Biology through the MSTP program at Washington University School of Medicine, completed urologic residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and a fellowship in Urologic Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Dr. Rayala’s career has spanned caring for underserved populations at Harvard’s Cambridge Health Alliance, where she continues research into barriers to cancer screening in these communities, to her current work at BIDMC, where she focuses on improving patient experiences during office-based urologic procedures. Her research includes pioneering studies on the use of low-dose nitrous oxide to reduce pain and anxiety during prostate biopsies, urodynamic studies, and vasectomies.

An advocate for equity in medicine, she serves as Co-Chair of the Professional Equity Subcommittee of the Joint Committee on the Status of Women at Harvard Medical School and is active in the Society of Women in Urology as a speaker, mentor, and scientific program leader. Recognized twice with Harvard teaching awards, Dr. Rayala is dedicated to mentorship, professional development, and fostering diversity in surgery.

Talk Title: Reducing Patient Pain & Anxiety during Ambulatory Procedures