Kelly McCants Biography
Kelly McCants is a respected heart doctor based in Louisville, Kentucky. He specializes in treating advanced heart failure and helping patients who need heart transplants. He serves as the Executive Medical Director of the Advanced Heart Failure and Recovery Program at Norton Heart & Vascular Institute. At the same time, he leads the Norton Healthcare Institute for Health Equity. His work focuses on saving lives and making sure everyone gets fair access to good healthcare. Dr. McCants is known for being kind, smart, and truly caring about his patients.
Kelly McCants Early Life
Kelly McCants grew up in the southern United States. He spent his childhood in Jacksonville, Florida, and Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He came from a big, loving family with more than 50 close relatives. In his family, he was the first person to become a doctor and only the fourth to finish college. His mother went back to school when she was 40 years old, and that inspired him to work hard. His older brother became a police captain, and his stepfather encouraged him to follow his talents. Young Kelly loved science and helping people, so he decided early that he wanted to become a doctor.
He earned his bachelor’s degree at Tennessee State University in Nashville. After that, he attended Meharry Medical College in Nashville and graduated with his medical degree in 2001. Meharry is one of the nation’s historic Black medical schools and has trained many doctors who serve communities that need them most.
Kelly McCants Career
After medical school, Dr. McCants completed his training in internal medicine and cardiology at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. He then finished a highly specialized fellowship in advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center in New York City.
He worked in Atlanta for several years and served as director of cardiac transplantation at Piedmont Hospital. In 2020, he returned to Louisville to join Norton Healthcare. Today he holds two important leadership roles:
- Executive Medical Director of the Advanced Heart Failure and Recovery Program at Norton Heart & Vascular Institute
- Executive Director of the Norton Healthcare Institute for Health Equity (founded in 2021)
He is board-certified in cardiovascular disease and advanced heart failure/transplant cardiology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. His patients give him very high ratings (4.9 out of 5 on many review sites) because he listens carefully and explains things clearly.
Kelly McCants Personal Life
Dr. McCants is a proud family man. He enjoys spending time with his wife and children. He loves cooking Cajun food, especially big shrimp and crab boils that remind him of family gatherings from his childhood. Even with his busy schedule, he makes time to mentor young students, especially those from backgrounds like his own, and encourages them to enter medicine or science.
Kelly McCants Recent News
In 2023, Norton Healthcare named Dr. McCants as the permanent Executive Director of the Institute for Health Equity after he served in an acting role. In 2024, his heart failure team continued to grow the LVAD (left ventricular assist device) program, helping more patients live longer while waiting for a transplant. As of 2025, he remains active in community health screenings and speaking events in Louisville neighborhoods that have less access to medical care.
Conclusion
Dr. Kelly McCants is more than a skilled heart doctor. He is a leader who fights every day to make healthcare fair for everyone. From his roots in a large southern family to leading two major programs at Norton Healthcare, he shows that one person can save lives in the hospital and change lives in the community. Patients trust him, students look up to him, and the city of Louisville is healthier because of his work.
FAQs
Who is Kelly McCants?
He is a board-certified cardiologist in Louisville, Kentucky, who specializes in advanced heart failure and heart transplants. He also leads efforts to make healthcare fair for all people.
Where did Dr. McCants go to medical school?
He graduated from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2001.
What hospital does he work at?
He works at Norton Healthcare, mainly at Norton Audubon Hospital and Norton Hospital in Louisville.
Does he accept new patients?
Yes, his office at Norton Heart & Vascular Institute accepts new patients. You can call 502-636-8266 to make an appointment.
What conditions does he treat?
He treats advanced heart failure, cardiomyopathy, patients who need LVAD devices, and people waiting for or recovering from heart transplants.
Is Dr. McCants involved in health equity?
Yes, he is the Executive Director of the Norton Healthcare Institute for Health Equity and works to reduce racial and economic gaps in healthcare.
What do patients say about him?
Most patients say he is kind, excellent at explaining problems, and truly cares about their lives. His average rating is 4.9 out of 5 stars across major review sites.
Is Kelly McCants still alive?
Yes, Dr. Kelly McCants, the cardiologist and health equity leader at Norton Healthcare in Louisville, Kentucky, is still alive as of November 29, 2025. There are no reports of his passing in recent news, obituaries, or medical announcements. He continues to serve in his leadership roles, including as Executive Medical Director of the Advanced Heart Failure and Recovery Program.