Departmental Highlights & News

Drs. Norman Shumway, left, and Donald C. Harrison meet the press after they perform the first adult human transplant in the United States in January 1968.

Stanford is able to leverage a series of "firsts," including the first heart transplant in the US, the first heart-lung transplant in the world, and one of the first left ventricular assist device (LVAD) procedures in the world. Stanford dominates the market in programs involving a high percentage of complex procedures. Several of Stanford's most successful cardiac programs have a broad geographical base, with over 20% of the volume for heart transplants, aorta and valve procedures coming from outside the Bay Area. Stanford also has a strong international cardiac market with cardiac patients representing more than 50% of overall international business. 

Dr. Bruce Reitz and his surgical team perform the world’s first successful combined adult human heart-lung transplant in 1981

2025

Detecting Lung Cancer Early, Screening Test Recommendations & How It Works

MARCH 15, 2025: Learn and chat about early detection of lung cancer with Dr. Natalie Lui, MD, Assistant Professor, Cardiothoracic Surgery (Thoracic Surgery), Stanford School of Medicine. 

February 13, 2025 - Patch

Passing of a Beloved Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. James B.D Mark

Dr. Mark was a dedicated physician, scholar, and mentor who made an extraordinary impact on our field and on the Stanford Medicine community. He touched countless lives not just through his surgical expertise but also through his compassion, mentorship, and unwavering dedication to his colleagues, trainees, and patients. 

February 10, 2025

CT Surgery Faculty Featured in CVI Quarterly Winter 2025 Newsletter

The latest CVI Quarterly Newsletter, Winter 2025, is filled with numerous updates and commendable achievements from the Stanford Cardiothoracic surgery faculty. 

February 4, 2025

StanfordMed Pulse: Recognizing American Heart Month 2025

From new therapies to treat a rare form of heart disease, to cardiac pumps for the youngest patients to the first beating heart transplant, Stanford Medicine continues to be a multidisciplinary center of innovation and a leader in cardiovascular care. 

February 3, 2025 - StanfordMed Pulse

GlobalSurgBoxAI: Combining Simulation-Based Training and Computer Vision Algorithms to Enhance Surgical Skills Training Globally

Drs. Yihan Lin and Nicole Lin were recently awarded the 2024-2025 Stanford Teaching and Mentoring Academy Innovation Grant, for their project titled “GlobalSurgBoxAI: Combining GlobalSurgBox and Computer Vision Algorithms to Enhance Surgical Skills Training Globally.” 

January 30, 2025

A Novel Lung Lobectomy Surgical Simulation Model

Drs. Natalie Lui, Brandon Guenthart, and Carolyn Chang were recently awarded the 2024-2025 Stanford Teaching and Mentoring Academy  Innovation Grant. With this support, they developed an innovative, low-cost robotic lobectomy model. 

January 30, 2025

Women of Thoracic Surgery Elects Dr. Leah Backhus as Vice President and Dr. A. Claire Watkins as Member-at-Large for 2025

The Women of Thoracic Surgery announced its newly elected leaders and committee members for 2025 during the WTS Annual Reception at the Society of Thoracic Surgeon 61st Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, Calif. 

January 29, 2025

Revolutionizing Heart Care Through a Multidisciplinary Approach with 3DQ Imaging 

A patient with severe mitral regurgitation underwent a transcatheter mitral valve replacement led by cardiothoracic surgeon John W. MacArthur, MD, and interventional cardiologist Rahul P. Sharma, MD, at Stanford Health Care. Prior to the procedure, the patient was referred to the Stanford 3D and Quantitative Imaging Laboratory for advanced medical imaging, which was featured in a case study series.

January 29, 2025

Showcasing Stanford Excellence in Cardiothoracic Surgery at the 2025 STS 61st Annual Meeting

Several faculty and trainees from the Stanford Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery were present throughout the conference, serving as moderators and speakers, as well as faculty participants in hands-on courses that provided an immersive learning experience in various surgical procedures for residents and early career surgeons. 

January 28, 2025

Department Welcomes Dr. Minh Vu as Clinical Assistant Professor

The Stanford Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery is pleased to welcome Minh Vu, MD, as its newest Clinical Assistant Professor. Dr. Vu will provide clinical care and cardiothoracic surgery for patients at Mercy Medical Center in Redding, California.

January 23, 2025

Department Welcomes Dr. Shaun P. Setty as Clinical Assistant Professor

The Stanford Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery is pleased to welcome Shaun P. Setty, MD, as its newest Clinical Assistant Professor. Dr. Setty serves as the Surgical Director of the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, Director of Global Cardiac Care, and a member of the pediatric cardiac surgery team at the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford. 

January 6, 2025

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