Esther Szu-Chia Shao, MD, PhD
Not currently accepting new patients
4.901124 average rating from 89 patient reviews
Specialties
Affiliation
Mass General Brigham
Provider Locations
- Boston, MA
Dr. Shao completed her undergraduate studies at Harvard College then pursued her MD at University of California Irvine College of Medicine and her PhD in molecular biology at UCLA. She completed her cardiology and heart failure/transplant fellowships at UCLA prior to joining the staff at Northwestern University Medical Center. Dr. Shao then served as Medical Director of Advanced Heart Failure at Maine Medical Center from 2013 to 2023. Under Dr. Shao’s leadership the program markedly expanded while achieving excellent patient outcomes. She joined MGH in September of 2023 to continue her interest in learning, teaching, and caring for patients with advanced heart failure (heart transplant, ventricular assist devise, right heart failure, cardiomyopathy, cardiogenic shock). Dr. Shao’s area of research is in arteriovenous malformations and angiogenesis.
Education & Training
- Fellowship: Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Cardiology/STAR Program, 2009
- Residency: Kaiser Foundation Hospital, Internal Medicine, 2002
- Medical Education: University of California - Irvine College of Medicine, 1999
Board Certifications
- Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology, American Board of Internal Medicine
- Cardiovascular Disease, American Board of Internal Medicine
Languages Spoken
- Chinese - Mandarin
- English
Age Group Treated
- Adults
Patient Feedback
4.901124 average rating from 89 reviews
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The service was excellent. I felt very comfortable.
2026-09-06
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Superior care and patient relations.
2026-09-06
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A useful meeting and evaluation. Dr. Shao was always on top of all of my issues.
2026-08-16
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My experience was great. I have no complaints. And that's probably it, I guess. Thank you.
2026-08-15
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World-class and enjoyable
2026-08-08
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It's always a good experience.
2026-07-27
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I am very fortunate to have Dr.Shao as my doctor.
2026-07-24
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Everyone was outstanding
2026-07-22
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Great crew ty
2026-07-18
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She very thorough and careful
2026-07-05
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The doctor and her care knowledge is excellent.
2026-07-01
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Doctor was professional and caring. [redacted]
2026-06-27
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Dr. Shao is one of the best doctors that I have ever dealt with. She is quite an exceptional care provider.
2026-06-24
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Mighty grateful to have been seen by Dr. Shao
2026-06-24
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She was delightful.
2026-06-18
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Excellent Doctor!!!!! Extremely knowledgeable and compassionate!
2026-06-06
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She explain things in the way that I understood she told me things that other doctors have not mentioned to me before and I trust her very much
2026-06-06
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Dr Shao is a superstar and a great person thank you
2026-06-04
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Very courteous ,quick and efficient
2026-05-23
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Very understanding
2026-05-17
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Dr Shao is an excellent physician and I just referred my wife to her for care.
2026-05-15
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Hi, Dr. Esther Shao is excellent with my care. She's very prompt in getting back to me with text messages to give me my results if I got tested and for any follow-up questions that I may have. She's very, very good. I'm glad I have her as my cardiologist. Thank you.
2026-05-15
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Dr. Shao is very knowledgeable and compassionate. It's a pleasure visiting with her
2026-05-07
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She was knowledgeable about my medical history. She was professional and I look forward to having her as part of my medical team.
2026-05-06
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Dr. Shao is the best physician I have ever been assigned to. I have multiple complex medical conditions and she takes the time, effort and expertise to cover all my medical needs. She answers all my questions with detail. I feel so lucky to have her as my cardiac doctor.
2026-03-26
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She is a great doctor and I am very lucky I am in her care.
2026-03-25
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Dr. Shao was brilliant, and took her time with me. She was not aggravated by my questions and worries. She was able to look at this health concern as it pertains to a potential liver transplant. I felt very confident in her plan.
2026-03-16
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Dr Shao is always very thorough during my visits and explains things that are easy to understand for those that are not medically trained.
2026-03-12
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Very good communication with nurses / doctors and everyone involved with my visit at Mass General .
2026-03-09
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Very courteous,understanding of my needs and definitely knowledgeable!!!Look forward to my next visit.
2026-03-08
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Thank you
2026-02-26
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Dr. Shao is an excellent physician always taking the time to listen carefully and calmly explain any areas f concern. I feel extremely fortunate to be in her care.
2026-01-11
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The best and most the therough doctor I have ever had in my [redacted] years.
2025-12-30
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Valuable consult with all my questions answered carefully and in detail. Reviewed the treatment program with explanation for rational. Always a first rate experience with Dr. Shao.
2025-12-29
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Yes, I'm very satisfied with the job. [redacted] I trust and believe in the doctor, and I just hope everything goes well. Thank you.
2025-12-22
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Provided me with the information I need to know to do and how my medication is working.
2025-12-19
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Dr Shao catches the small details of a patient history quickly and insightfully. She is clearly "on top of her game."
2025-11-30
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So far, she is a great care provider. I have no complain. Thank you MGH, you the best. Keep going and many blessings.
2025-11-16
Accepted Insurance
- Tufts Medicare Preferred
- Wellpoint
- Medicaid VT
- Medicaid ME
- Fallon Health
- United Health Care
- Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
- Beech Street
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare
- Senior Whole Health
- MassHealth
- Aetna
- Mass General Brigham Health Plan
- Railroad Medicare
- WellSense
- Maine Community Health Options
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Humana
- Multiplan
- Coventry
- TriCare
- Cigna
- Tufts Health Plan
- Commonwealth Care Alliance
- Medicare