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Stephen Mathai

Stephen Mathai, MD, MHS

Pulmonology

Accepting New Patients

Highlights

Age Groups Seen

  • Young Adult 18-25
  • Adult 26-64
  • Older Adult 65+

Languages

  • English

Gender

Male

Johns Hopkins Affiliations:

  • Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Faculty

About Stephen Mathai

Professional Titles

  • Director, Inpatient Pulmonary Service, Johns Hopkins Hospital
  • Co-Director, Ann Dana Kusch Multidisciplinary Program for Interstitial Lung Disease and Pulmonary Hypertension Research

Primary Academic Title

Associate Professor of Medicine

Johns Hopkins Physician

Logo for Johns Hopkins Physician

Background

Stephen C. Mathai, MD, MHS is an Associate Professor of Medicine and part of the Johns Hopkins Pulmonary Hypertension Program. Dr. Mathai received his undergraduate degree from Rutgers College and medical degree from Jefferson Medical College. He pursued residency training in Internal Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, where he also served as Chief Medical Resident. Dr. Mathai came to Johns Hopkins for fellowship training in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. During his 5-year fellowship, he obtained a Masters of Health Science degree from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and successfully competed for an individual Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award. Subsequently, he received a K23 award for his research in pulmonary vascular disease in scleroderma. He currently serves as Co-Principal Investigator for the Johns Hopkins PVDOMICS program supported by the NIH and is principal investigator for a clinical trial of therapy for scleroderma associated pulmonary hypertension supported by the Department of Defense Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program. He is also the Co-Director of the Ann Dana Kusch Multidisciplinary Program for Interstitial Lung Disease and Pulmonary Hypertension.

Dr. Mathai has been active in numerous committees and holds several leadership positions in academic societies. He is the current chair of the Pulmonary Vascular Disease Network for the American College of Chest Physicians and has served on the steering committee for this organization for the past 4 years. He has served on several committees for the Pulmonary Circulation Assembly of the American Thoracic Society, including the Program Committee and Nominations Committee. He has organized symposia and delivered presentations related to pulmonary hypertension at numerous international meetings. He is the author of more than 100 publications and has given invited research lectures nationally and internationally.  Dr. Mathai is also an active member of patient advocacy organizations. Currently, he is a member of the Scientific Leadership Council of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association where he serves as national chairperson of the Preceptorship Program Planning Committee. He is also a member of the Rare Disease Advisory Panel for the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute. Dr. Mathai also serves as the faculty leader of the inpatient pulmonary service, the Carol Johns Service, where he is responsible for the education of the internal medicine housestaff and pulmonary fellows. He has also received the Frederick L. Brancati Award for mentorship from the Department of Medicine at Johns Hopkins.

Find a Clinical Trial

View all trials by this principal investigator.

Research Interests

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, Pulmonary complications of connective tissue disease, Pulmonary hypertension, Scleroderma-associated pulmonary hypertension

Lab Website

Stephen Mathai Lab

  • The Stephen Mathai Lab focuses its research on pulmonary medicine. We're particularly interested in scleroderma-associated pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary complications of connective tissue disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension.

Selected Publications

  • Bonner N, Abetz L, Meunier J, Sikirica M, Mathai SC. Development and validation of the living with pulmonary hypertension questionnaire in pulmonary arterial hypertension patients. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2013 Oct 3;11:161. doi: 10.1186/1477-7525-11-161. PMID: 24088389 

  • Bourji KI, Khair RM, Damico RL, Kolb TM, Mathai SC, Hassoun PM. “Vascular receptor autoantibodies in pulmonary arterial hypertension.” Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2015 Mar 1;191(5):602. doi: 10.1164/rccm.201412-2267LE.

  • Chin K, Mathai SC. “Exercise echocardiography in connective tissue disease.” J Am Coll Cardiol. 2015 Jul 28;66(4):385-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2015.05.038. 

  • Damico R, Kolb TM, Valera L, Wang L, Housten T, Tedford RJ, Kass DA, Rafaels N, Gao L, Barnes KC, Benza RL, Rand JL, Hamid R, Loyd JE, Robbins IM, Hemnes AR, Chung WK, Austin ED, Drummond MB, Mathai SC, Hassoun PM. “Serum endostatin is a genetically determined predictor of survival in pulmonary arterial hypertension.” Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2015 Jan 15;191(2):208-18. doi: 10.1164/rccm.201409-1742OC.

  • Dezube R, Terry P, Akulian J, Mathai SC, Boyle M, Khasab T, Yarmus L. Chronic expanding hematoma of the lung. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2013 Dec 1;188(11):e71. doi: 10.1164/rccm.201304-0723IM. No abstract available. PMID: 24289786

  • Kelemen BW, Mathai SC, Tedford RJ, Damico RL, Corona-Villalobos C, Kolb TM, Chaisson NF, Harris TH, Zimmerman SL, Kamel IR, Kass DA, Hassoun PM. “Right ventricular remodeling in idiopathic and scleroderma-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension: two distinct phenotypes.” Pulm Circ. 2015 Jun;5(2):327-34. doi: 10.1086/680356.

  • Khanna D, Gladue H, Channick R, Chung L, Distler O, Furst DE, Hachulla E, Humbert M, Langleben D, Mathai SC, Saggar R, Visovatti S, Altorok N, Townsend W, FitzGerald J, McLaughlin VV. Recommendations for screening and detection of connective tissue disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension. Arthritis Rheum. 2013 Dec;65(12):3194-201. doi: 10.1002/art.38172. PMID: 24022584

  • Mathai SC, Hassoun PM. Drs. Mathai and Hassoun reply. J Rheumatol. 2013 Jan;40(1):91. No abstract available. PMID: 23401876 

  • Mathai SC, Wise RA, Puhan MA, Lam D. Reply from the authors. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2013 Mar 15;187(6):659. No abstract available. PMID: 23614142

  • Mathai SC. A look to the past, present, and future of pulmonary hypertension. Int J Clin Pract Suppl. 2013 May;(179):1. doi: 10.1111/ijcp.12173. No abstract available. PMID: 23578067

  • Mathai SC. Solvitur ambulando…or maybe not? Chest. 2013 Feb 1;143(2):285-7. doi: 10.1378/chest.12-1819. No abstract available. PMID: 23381304

  • Matura LA, Ventetuolo CE, Palevsky HI, Lederer DJ, Horn EM, Mathai SC, Pinder D, Archer-Chicko C, Bagiella E, Roberts KE, Tracy RP, Hassoun PM, Girgis RE, Kawut SM. “Interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α are associated with quality of life-related symptoms in pulmonary arterial hypertension.” Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2015 Mar;12(3):370-5. doi: 10.1513/AnnalsATS.201410-463OC. PMID: 25615959

  • Shehata ML, Harouni AA, Skrok J, Basha TA, Boyce D, Lechtzin N, Mathai SC, Girgis R, Osman NF, Lima JA, Bluemke DA, Hassoun PM, Vogel-Claussen J. Regional and global biventricular function in pulmonary arterial hypertension: a cardiac MR imaging study. Radiology. 2013 Jan;266(1):114-22. doi: 10.1148/radiol.12111599. Epub 2012 Nov 14. PMID: 23151825

  • Tedford RJ, Mudd JO, Girgis RE, Mathai SC, Zaiman AL, Housten-Harris T, Boyce D, Kelemen BW,  Bacher AC, Shah AA, Hummers LK, Wigley FM, Russell SD, Saggar R, Saggar R, Maughan WL, Hassoun PM, Kass DA. Right ventricular dysfunction in systemic sclerosis-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension. Circ Heart Fail. 2013 Sep 1;6(5):953-63. PMID: 23797369

  • Yarmus LB, Akulian JA, Gilbert C, Mathai SC, Sathiyamoorthy S, Sahetya S, Harris K, Gillespie C, Haas A, Feller-Kopman D, Sterman D, Lee HJ. Comparison of moderate versus deep sedation for endobronchial ultrasound transbronchial needle aspiration. Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2013 Apr;10(2):121-6. doi: 10.1513/AnnalsATS.201209-074OC. PMID: 23607840

Honors

Frederick L. Brancati Award for Mentorship

Professional Activities

  • Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute, Rare Disease Advisory Panel
  • Pulmonary Hypertension Association, Scientific Leadership Council
  • Pulmonary Vascular Disease Network, American College of Chest Physicians, Chair

Locations

  1. Levi Watkins, Jr., M.D., Outpatient Center

Expertise

Education

  • Fellowship: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, 2008
  • Graduate School: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, MHS, 2005
  • Residency: Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, Medicine, 2003
  • Medical Education: Sidney Kimmel Medical College, MD, 1999

Insurance

Please contact the location directly to confirm your health plan is accepted.
Search plans
  • Aetna
  • CareFirst
  • Cigna
  • First Health
  • Geisinger Health Plan
  • HealthSmart/Accel
  • Johns Hopkins Health Plans
  • MultiPlan
  • Pennsylvania's Preferred Health Networks (PPHN)
  • Point Comfort Underwriters
  • Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
  • Veteran Affairs Community Care Network (Optum-VACCN)

Ratings & Reviews

4.9 out of 5

53 ratings, 22 reviews

The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to physician related questions on the national CG-CAHPS Medical Practice patient experience survey through Press Ganey. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best score. Comments are also gathered from our CG-CAHPS Medical Practice Survey through Press Ganey and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

Overall Rating by Patient
Provider Listened Carefully
Provider Explained Things Clearly
Provider Knew Medical History
Provider Showed Respect
Provider Spent Enough Time
Search reviews
    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/10/2026

    My provider is great My visit was

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/10/2026

    Shows respect and concern for my health.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/24/2026

    Provider was very knowledgeable and understanding wonderful doctor

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/17/2026

    He was excellent in every aspect.

    3 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/5/2026

    Wait time was over 2 1/2 hours bad

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 1/20/2026

    Dr. Mathai is a very knowledgeable,concerned Doctor. I have complete trust in his care.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 1/13/2026

    Exceptional doctor who is genuinely concerned about my health and well being. Explain things in laymen's terms. Very personable and relatable. I'm so lucky to be under his care.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 1/6/2026

    Dr. Mathai is amazing. Takes the time to listen, offers solutions and suggestions and is willing to listen to your responses about these suggestions. This helps so much in managing my own treatments

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 1/6/2026

    Dr, Mathai, I have been seeing him for 16 years. He is very concerned kind patient and very understanding. Is the best pulmonary hypertension specialist at Johns Hopkins.He is the expert in that field. Treats me with all that knowledge As an expert in the field. Truly saved my life. I wouldn't have no other pulmonologist but him he is the best.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/2/2025

    Dr. Mathai is an outstanding provider. Compassionate and caring. Outstanding clinically!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 11/18/2025

    Dr. Mathai is an excellent doctor, he truly listens to the patients' concerns and challenges. He consistently explains the scientific aspects of the health issues and addresses every question with care. He also discusses the possible treatment options. I am very grateful to have him as my doctor.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 11/4/2025

    Excellent communicator. Very caring.,

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/7/2025

    I have been seeing Dr Mathai for almost 20 yearsHe has always been very helpful

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 9/9/2025

    Was very respectful and listened to me carefully. He shows that he cares about my health and wants the best for me.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 9/9/2025

    The best

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 8/19/2025

    He is an excellent provider who listens and cares for his patients.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/17/2025

    Dr Mathai never seems rushed with me. He is a very gentle, kind and caring doctor.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/17/2025

    Dr. Mathai Has worked with me for over ten years and always treated me with courtesy and care.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/12/2025

    Are you referring to my doctor. Dr. Mathai makes me feel comfortable and answers all my questions. He gives me confidence

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/6/2025

    They are the best

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/6/2025

    Very friendly

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 4/22/2025

    Dr. Mathai cares about his patients and has been instrumental in making sure that I am getting the best care for all of my diseases