Adult Cardiac Surgery Services

The Stanford Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, a pioneer in cardiac surgery and heart transplantation, continues to set the pace as a leader in patient care, research innovation, and hands-on education of tomorrow's surgeons.

A History of Innovation

In 1968, Dr. Norman Shumway performed the first adult heart transplant in the United States, and established Stanford as a global leader in cardiac surgery. In 1981, Dr. Bruce Reitz completed the first combined heart and lung transplant in the world. A few years later, Dr. Philip Oyer was part of a team that first successfully used a mechanical device as a "bridge" to transplant, supporting a patient in end-stage heart failure until a heart transplant was possible. In the mid to late 1990s, Stanford cardiac surgeons were among the first to perform minimally invasive coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgeries.

Drs. Craig Miller, and R. Scott Mitchell designed and implanted stent grafts to repair thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections (TEVAR). In the late 1990's pediatric cardiac surgeon Dr. Frank L. Hanley developed the technique of single-stage unifocalization to correct deficient pulmonary vasculature in a congenital heart defect with a single surgery rather than multiple procedures.

Today's cardiac surgeons at Stanford continue to extend this tradition of excellence with pioneering innovations in complex valve repair, minimally invasive and robotic operations, beating-heart surgery, hybrid aortic reconstruction, arrhythmia operations, triple-organ transplantation, novel artificial heart and lung devices, and stem cell therapy to repair and regenerate the heart.

Dr. Norman Shumway performing the first successful heart transplant in the United States

Surgical Services We Provide

Our nationally recognized cardiothoracic surgery team offers comprehensive diagnostic services and leading-edge treatments for all heart conditions. Our surgeons provide world class, advanced and personalized care utilizing a multidisciplinary approach. Working together with Stanford interventional cardiologists, heart failure specialists and imaging experts, they ensure that each surgery is tailored to our patients’ needs.

We offer both minimally invasive, endovascular and open-heart procedures. We also treat complex structural heart disease conditions through the Stanford Structural Heart Program

Download the Stanford Heart Surgery Clinic flyer

Additional Resources

Our Doctors

Joseph Woo, MD

Chair & Norman E. Shumway Professor and, by courtesy, of Bioengineering

Jack Boyd, MD

Clinical Associate Professor

Anson Lee, MD

Assistant Professor

 

Maria Currie, MD, PhD

Clinical Assistant Professor

Yihan Lin, MD, MPH

Clinical Assistant Professor

Michael Fischbein, MD, PhD

Thelma and Henry Doelger Professor of CV Surgery

Elan Burton, MD

Clinical Associate Professor

JW MacArthur, MD

Assistant Professor
 

Billie-Jean Martin, MD, PhD

Clinical Assistant Professor

Marc Leon, MD, PhD

Clinical Assistant Professor

Ngan Huang, PhD

Associate Professor (Research)

Pierre Theodore, MD

Clinical Associate Professor

A. Claire Watkins, MD

Clinical Assistant Professor

Daniel Bethencourt, MD

Clinical Assistant Professor

Glenn Pelletier, MD, PhD

Clinical Assistant Professor

William Hiesinger, MD

Associate Professor
 

Ioannis Karakikes, PhD

Assoc Prof (Research)

Yasuhiro Shudo, MD, PhD

Clinical Assistant Professor

Chawannuch Ruaengsri, MD

Clinical Assistant Professor

Patpilai Kasinpila, MD

Clinical Assistant Professor

Your Care Team

In addition to the attending cardiac surgeons, the team is composed of fellows in an approved residency program leading to certification by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, clinical nurse specialists, dedicated cardiac anesthesiologists, and nurses specialized in the care of postsurgical patients.

To assist you and your family, our physicians and clinical coordinators are available to provide you with the most advanced care. Our physicians, nurses, and support staff value the trust you place in us.

Advanced Practice Providers (APPs)

Surgery Coordinators

Roberto Vargas

Clinical Operations Manager - CVH

Frances Ventura

Cardiothoracic Surgery Liaison

Margarita Martinez

Cardiothoracic Surgery Liaison

Darrianne Villa

Cardiothoracic Patient Admin Specialist

Maria Caimol

Cardiothoracic Surgery Liaison Supervisor -CVH

Veronica Cendejas

Cardiothoracic Surgery Liaison

Seanne Lopez

Cardiothoracic Surgery Liaison

Juan
Ayala

Cardiothoracic Surgery Liaison
 

Melinda Espinoza

Cardiothoracic Surgery Liaison

Olivia O’Neal

Cardiothoracic Patient Admin Specialist

Charlene Seegmiller

Cardiothoracic Surgery Liaison

Norma Castaneda-Garza

Cardiothoracic Surgery Liaison

Michelle Ho

Cardiothoracic Patient Admin Specialist