Departmental News

Stanford researcher receives NIH grant to develop molecular imaging agent for localizing lung tumors during surgery

Dr. Natalie Lui, Associate Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery (Thoracic Surgery), has been awarded a multi-year NIH R01 grant to develop a novel molecular imaging technique that helps surgeons more accurately identify and completely remove lung cancer tumors during surgery while reducing complications and recurrence.

August 6, 2026 - News-Medical.Net

Dr. Edwin Petrossian Joins Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Program at Stanford Children’s Hospital

Dr. Petrossian has been a member of the Stanford faculty since 2001 and served as Medical Director of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery at Valley Children's Hospital from 2002-2026, where he led the development and growth of the congenital heart surgery program. In his role at Stanford, he will continue to provide comprehensive surgical care for patients with congenital heart disease.

August 1, 2026

Stanford Continues to Advance Ascending Aorta Treatments Through National ARISE III Clinical Trial

Drs. A. Claire Watkins and Jason T. Lee are embarking on the likely final phase of the ARISE clinical trials. Building upon their involvement in the ARISE II trial, which began in 2023, this work could change the future landscape of treatments for disease of the ascending aorta.

July 30, 2026

Stanford Thoracic Surgeon Receives NIH Grant to Develop Molecular Imaging Agent to Identify Lung Cancer During Surgery

Stanford thoracic surgeon Dr. Natalie Lui has been awarded a multi-year research project grant from the National Institutes of Health to study and develop a molecular imaging agent for localizing (or identifying) lung cancer tumors during surgery.

July 29, 2026

Using Artificial Intelligence to Improve the Diagnosis of Pediatric Heart Disease

A team of investigators at Stanford University, led by Joseph Cho, Mrudang Mathur, PhD, and William Hiesinger, MD, recently published a paper in Circulation examining their development of EchoAI-Pads, a deep learning model specifically designed for diagnosing heart disease in pediatric populations.

July 28, 2026 - Stanford Cardiovascular Institute

Stanford performs first PITAC procedure for mesothelioma in North America

Stanford Health Care is one of a few centers in the world to offer PITAC to its patients. In March 2026, Leah Backhus, MD, performed the first PITAC procedure for mesothelioma in North America in a joint effort with Byrne Lee, MD, from the Department of Surgery.

July 23, 2026 - StanfordMed Pulse

Announcement of Dr. Joseph Shrager, Division of Thoracic Surgery

After many years of extraordinary service, Dr. Joseph Shrager has announced that he will be stepping down from his role as Chief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery within our department, effective following a national search that will soon commence. We extend our gratitude to Dr. Shrager for his exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication to the division, our department, and the Stanford Medicine community.

July 17, 2026 

Vascular Organoids Help Rebuild the Heart’s Smallest Blood Vessels After Ischemic Injury

Dr. Shudo and researchers at Stanford study scaffold-free vascular organoids and improved heart function in a porcine model, enhancing left ventricular ejection fraction. Read more here.

July 16, 2026

Dr. Gebrine El Khoury Presents the Progression of Aortic Valve Repair at the Second Annual Dr. Miller Visiting Professorship Lecture

The department welcomed Gebrine El Khoury, MD, PhD, as the second Dr. D. Craig Miller Visiting Professor to the Stanford campus on May 7, 2026. During his visit, he shared the latest insights and journey of aortic valve repair over the decades.

July 13, 2026

A Closer Look: What is an Aortic Tear? 

Dr. Joseph Woo joins Raj Mathai, host of NBC Bay Area, to explain aortic tears (or aortic dissections) in light of the recent death of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham.

July 13, 2026 - NBC Bay Area

Stanford Surgeon Performs North America's First PITAC Procedure for Pleural Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma Hope Reports

Dr. Leah Backhus discusses how the minimally invasive chemotherapy technique - pressurized intrathoracic aerosol chemotherapy (PITACH) - offers a new option for pleural mesothelioma patients who are not candidates for more extensive surgery.

July 9, 2026 - Morningstar | ACCESS Newswire

Stanford Hospital Awarded for Demonstrated Excellence in Mitral Valve Repair Seven Years in a Row

Stanford Hospital receives its seventh Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award from the Mitral Foundation for its commitment to best practices and high-quality care in mitral valve surgery.

July 9, 2026 

Department Quarterly Newsletter 2026 Spring

The Stanford Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery presents its latest quarterly newsletter, featuring key updates in clinical care, research, and education.

July 9, 2026 

Hawaii’s Only Full-Time Pediatric Heart Surgeon Says Early Diagnosis Helps Keep Kids Close to Home

Stanford Medicine pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Hiroo Kinami is Hawaii’s only full-time pediatric cardiac surgeon at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children, a valued partnership affiliate of Stanford. In this interview, he discusses more about the robust pediatric heart program in Hawaii.

July 8, 2026 - Hawaii News Now 

Department Highlights Clinical and Research Excellence at WTSA 52nd Annual Meeting

The department presented its latest clinical and research advancements at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the Western Thoracic Surgical Association (WTSA), held in Ivins, Utah, from June 24 to 27, 2026.

July 7, 2026 

Dr. Natalie Lui Promoted to Associate Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery

Dr. Natalie Lui has been promoted to Associate Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery (Thoracic Surgery), effective July 1, 2026. She practices at Stanford Hospital, bringing her expertise in general thoracic surgery with a focus on thoracic oncology and robotic thoracic surgery.

July 1, 2026 

Dr. Shaun Setty Named Chief of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery at Kaiser Permanente Oakland

The department is pleased to announce that Shaun Setty, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor in the Division of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, has accepted the position of Chief of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery at Kaiser Permanente in Oakland, California.

July 1, 2026 

Five New Cardiothoracic Surgery Residents and Fellows Join Department for 2026

The department is excited to welcome five exceptional new residents and fellows who will begin their programs in the summer of 2026: Drs. Daniel Alber, Oluwademilade Tega, Brandon Wesley, Stanley Wolfe, and Lye Yeng Wong.

June 26, 2026 

Integrated Cardiothoracic Surgery Resident Dr. Matt Duda Receives Prestigious Teaching Award

Dr. Matthew Duda, integrated cardiothoracic surgery resident and postdoctoral research fellow with the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Stanford, was recently awarded the Jason Han Trainee Teaching Award from the Thoracic Surgery Medical Student Association (TSMA). 

June 25, 2026 

Dr. Backhus research highlight on mesothelioma

Dr. Leah Backhus was recently featured by Mesothelioma.net for her leadership in thoracic oncology, highlighting her pioneering work in lung cancer survivorship research and her performance of North America’s first pressurized intrathoracic aerosol chemotherapy (PITAC) procedure for pleural mesothelioma.

June 24, 2026 - Mesothelioma.net

The American Association for Thoracic Surgery Taps New President

This Becker's ASC Review article highlights Dr. Joseph Woo, who recently took over as the 107th president the American Association for Thoracic Surgery for 2026-27.   

June 24, 2026 - Becker's ASC Review

Department Celebrates 2026 Graduating Residents, Fellows, and Annual Award Honorees

On June 11, the department celebrated five graduating residents and fellows from the Integrated Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency Program, the Traditional Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship Program, and the Congenital Cardiac Surgery Fellowship Program. The Pat O. Daily, MD, Memorial Award and the Phillip E. Oyer, MD, PhD, Award were also presented at the event.

June 23, 2026 

Stanford Surgeons Perform First PITAC Procedure for Pleural Mesothelioma

Drs. Leah Backhus and Byrne Lee from Stanford Medicine made history by performing the first PITAC procedures on patients with the rare cancer mesothelioma. The first such procedure was undertaken in March, with the second taking place in May.

June 22, 2026 - Mesothelioma Guide

Cardiothoracic surgeon Joseph Woo takes over as new AATS president

Joseph Woo, Chair of Stanford Cardiothoracic Surgery, assumed the presidency of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery for 2026–2027, bringing decades of leadership in clinical innovation, NIH-funded research, surgical education, and advances in complex cardiac and thoracic surgery while championing the next generation of cardiothoracic surgeons. Read more.

June 22, 2026 - Cardiovascular Business

Dr. Joseph Woo Assumes Presidency of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery

Dr. Joseph Woo became the 107th President of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS). He officially succeeded Dr. Emile A. Bacha in a presentation during the AATS 106th Annual Meeting in Chicago.

June 18, 2026 - The American Association for Thoracic Surgery

Active surveillance may significantly improve survival among patients with lung cancer

Dr. Leah Backhus presents research showing that guideline-based CT surveillance after lung cancer treatment is associated with significantly improved survival for patients with non-small cell lung cancer. 

June 18, 2026 - Healio, HemeOnc Today

Stanford Performs First PITAC Procedure for Mesothelioma in North America

Stanford Health Care is one of a few centers in the world to offer PITAC to its patients. In March 2026, Dr. Leah Backhus performed the first PITAC procedure for mesothelioma in North America in a joint effort with Byrne Lee, MD, from the Department of Surgery. The second case was just performed in May 2026.

June 11, 2026 

Remembering Sridhar Seshadri: A Respected Leader and Trusted Colleague

Sridhar Seshadri was an exceptional and deeply respected member of the Stanford Health Care and Stanford Medicine community whose impact will certainly be felt for generations. Following his passing on November 26, 2025, our colleagues have reflected on the legacy he left behind through both his service and the many lives he touched.

June 9, 2026

Dr. William Hiesinger Receives the AATS Cardiac Biology Club Cup Award 

Dr. William Hiesinger received the AATS Cardiac Biology Club Cup in recognition of his leadership and scientific contributions to cardiac surgery and cardiovascular biology. The award honored his work advancing AI-driven approaches to the diagnosis, planning, and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

June 9, 2026

Transplant recipient gives back, one Wednesday at a time

On March 24, Aaron Hughes turned 5 years old. That’s how he counts it – from the day in 2021 when he received a new heart and lungs at Stanford Health Care, and, as he puts it, was given another opportunity to live.

June 8, 2026 - StanfordMed Pulse

Lifesaving Discoveries on the Horizon for Cardiovascular and Stroke Care

Stanford Medicine is nationally recognized as a leader in cardiovascular health. This article highlights a few of the hundreds of active research projects led by physician-scientists from Stanford Medicine, including Dr. William Hiesinger and his work on transforming surgical videos into simulators for robotic cardiac surgery.

May 29, 2026 - Stanford Health Care

Lung Cancer in Women Emerges as a Distinct Disease

Researchers suggest that lung cancer in women should be seen as a distinct disease, one driven by a complex interplay of biological sex differences and gender-based factors that researchers and clinicians have mainly overlooked. Dr. Leah Backhus highlights growing efforts to address this, including initiatives in lung cancer screening.

May 27, 2026 - Nature

Leading the Way Forward: Stanford’s Innovation and Vision at AATS’s 2026 Annual Meeting 

The Stanford Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery made a significant presence at the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS), highlighted by the inauguration of Department Chair Joseph Woo, MD, as the 107th President of the association. The meeting was held in Chicago from May 2-5, 2026.

May 22, 2026

Canary Center Symposium Showcases Stanford's Multidisciplinary Approach to Early Disease

The Canary Center at the Stanford School of Medicine hosted the Canary Center Symposium on April 28, 2026, convening scientists interested in minimally invasive strategies to detect diseases, including cancer, at earlier, more curable stages. The symposium featured speakers from across Stanford, including Dr. Natalie Lui, who shared insights from building Stanford's lung cancer screening program.

May 21, 2026 - Stanford Department of Radiology

Dr. Joseph W. Turek Presents on the Future of Pediatric Heart Transplant at Stinson Visiting Professorship Lecture

The department welcomed Joseph W. Turek, MD, PhD, MBA, from Duke University, as the eighth Dr. Edward B. Stinson Translational Surgeon Scientist Visiting Professor to Stanford on April 20, 2026, for an insightful lecture on the landscape of pediatric heart transplant.

May 21, 2026

Stanford CVI 2026 Spring Quarterly Newsletter

The Stanford CVI 2026 Spring Quarterly Newsletter highlights the impact of Stanford Cardiothoracic Surgery faculty across research, innovation, and education—from Ngan Huang’s national recognition with the PVD Council Midcareer Award and AI-driven cardiac imaging innovation featuring William Hiesinger, to leadership in resident research training and cardiovascular education through programs and courses led by CT Surgery faculty.

May 15, 2026 - Stanford Cardiovascular Institute

A Milestone of Hope: Patient Celebrates Graduation at Packard Children’s as He Waits for a Heart Transplant

After more than 220 days caring for a young patient awaiting heart transplant, the Stanford Medicine Children’s Health cardiac transplant team demonstrated extraordinary expertise and compassion, supporting Spencer through a lifelong journey that has included six heart surgeries and multiple interventions.

May 14, 2026 - Stanford Medicine Children's Health, Healthier, Happy Lives Blog

Multi-organ Abdominal Transplant Gives Preteen a New Future

A multidisciplinary team at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, including pediatric cardiac surgeons Arvind Bishnoi, Michael Ma, and the Pediatric Heart Surgery team, collaborated to deliver a complex, life-saving multi-organ transplant for a critically ill preteen, demonstrating the power of coordinated, cross-specialty care.

April 30, 2026 - Stanford Medicine Children's Health, Healthier, Happy Lives Blog

Heart Surgery at Sequoia Hospital: Featuring Dr. Carol Chen

Through a valued partnership with Dignity Health Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City, this initiative brings Stanford's world-renowned cardiothoracic surgeons and expertise to support Sequoia’s well-established cardiac surgery program. Cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Carol Chen serves as the Director of Cardiac Surgery for the program.

April 28, 2026

Dr. Patrick M. McCarthy Delivers Shumway Visiting Professorship Lecture on the "Math and Science" of Mitral Valve Repair

The department welcomed Patrick M. McCarthy, MD, as the fourteenth Dr. Norman E. Shumway Visiting Professor to Stanford campus on April 1, 2026. During his visit, he shared the latest insights on mitral valve surgery.

April 27, 2026

Stanford Cardiothoracic Surgery Researchers Develop Novel Platform to Transform Transplant Coordination

Drs. Pierre Theodore and Maria Currie are developing a dedicated software platform designed to solve one of the most critical challenges in organ transplantation: coordination. The platform aims to improve workflow and communication among the numerous clinical and logistical teams involved in managing transplant cases, streamline organ allocation, and ensure the successful placement of donor organs.

April 24, 2026

2026 Stanford Center for Digital Health Seed Grant Awards

The Stanford Center for Digital Health awarded a 2026 research grant to co-principal investigator Dr. Natalie Lui for her project: "Agentic AI for lung cancer screening in the electronic health records: Accurate eligibility from unstructured smoking histories.”

April 23, 2026 - Stanford Center for Digital Health

Match Day 2026: Department Welcomes Three New Integrated Cardiothoracic Surgery Residents 

On Friday, March 20, the Stanford Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery welcomed three new residents to the Integrated Cardiothoracic Surgical Training Program. Please join us in welcoming Daniel Alber of NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Oluwademilade Tega of Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Brandon Wesley of Stanford University School of Medicine! They will start their training at the end of June 2026.

April 21, 2026

Teen Overcomes Lung Transplant to See Her Favorite Band

After more than two years of care at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, a teen with advanced pulmonary hypertension successfully underwent a life-saving lung transplant. This story highlights the expertise of Stanford’s pediatric lung transplant surgeons and multidisciplinary team in helping complex patients return to the moments that matter most.

April 17, 2026 - Stanford Medicine Children's Health, Healthier, Happy Lives Blog 

2026 Stanford Center for Asian Health Research and Education (CARE) Seed Grant Awardee: Ngan Huang, PhD

The Stanford CARE Seed Grant is an internal funding program from the Stanford Center for Asian Health Research and Education (CARE) that supports early-stage, innovative research focused on Asian and Asian American health. Its primary goal is to generate pilot data, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and launch new research projects that can lead to larger external funding and long-term impact.

April 15 , 2026

Flag-raising at Packard Children’s Hospital Honors Lasting Legacy of Organ Donation

A Donate Life flag-raising at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford highlights the life-saving impact of organ donation. The Stanford Children’s Heart Center plays a key role in a nationally leading pediatric transplant program, delivering advanced care to children with complex heart disease. 

April 15 , 2026 - Stanford Medicine Children's Health, Healthier, Happy Lives Blog

Department Quarterly Newsletter 2026 Winter

The Stanford Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery presents its latest quarterly newsletter, featuring key updates in clinical care, research, and education.

April 7, 2026

A Deep Learning System That Helps Detect Heart Disease From MRI Scans

Investigators in a joint study at Stanford University and the University of Pennsylvania, led by Dr. William Hiesinger and his team, built a transformer-based system that learns complex patterns of heart disease from a collection of over 19,000 cardiac MRI scans gathered across multiple hospitals.

March 31, 2026 - Stanford Cardiovascular Institute

We Are Stanford: Open Minds Event Honors Staff

Stanford’s inaugural Open Minds: Staff Edition celebrated the essential contributions of staff in advancing Stanford’s mission. The program featured a keynote from Joseph Woo, professor and chair of Cardiothoracic Surgery, who highlighted the impact of collaboration, innovation, and dedication across teams. The event underscored Stanford’s commitment to elevating staff voices and fostering a culture of appreciation and shared purpose.

March 31, 2026 - Stanford Report

Stanford Cardiothoracic Surgeons and Global Experts Convene at the 2026 International Lung Cancer Summit

The two-day meeting was dedicated to advancing the understanding, prevention, early detection, and treatment of lung cancer. The summit focused particularly on lung cancer in people who have never smoked, as the disease disproportionately affects Asian populations—especially non-smoking Asian women.

March 31, 2026

9 things you (probably) didn’t know were invented at Stanford, including the human heart transplant

When Stanford professor Norman Shumway performed the first successful human heart transplant in the United States on Stanford’s campus in 1968, it led to hundreds of thousands of lives prolonged worldwide. 

March 30, 2026 - Stanford Report

Dr. Leah Backhus Details First North American PITAC for Mesothelioma

Thoracic surgeon Dr. Leah Backhus tells us a Stanford team has performed a specialized procedure for pleural mesothelioma for the very first time in North America.

March 30, 2026 - Asbestos.com/The Mesothelioma Center

Pioneers and Leaders in Bloodless Surgery

The Stanford Center for Bloodless Cardiac Surgery provides lifesaving options for patients who cannot or choose not to receive blood transfusions. This comprehensive center brings together a multidisciplinary team of experts, including cardiothoracic surgeons, anesthesiologists, hematologists, and perfusionists, to perform most complex cardiac procedures without the use of blood products.

March 19, 2026 - Stanford Health Care – Now: Doctor Stories

Tiffanie Yau Named Lead Advanced Practice Provider for Cardiothoracic Surgery Clinic and Operating Room

Tiffanie Yau, PA-C, has been named the new Lead Advanced Practice Provider (APP) for the cardiothoracic surgery clinic and operating room team at Stanford Hospital, effective February 2026.

March 18, 2026

Stanford Researchers Develop Novel "Scaffold-Free" Approach for Treating Damaged Muscles

Dr. Ngan F. Huang and her team have developed a novel “scaffold-free” approach for treating volumetric muscle loss. Their work was featured on the front cover of the March 2026 issue of Advanced Healthcare Materials.

March 11, 2026

Getting To The "Heart" of The Matter Featuring Dr. Hiroo Kinami

Dr. Hiroo Kinami, Director of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery at Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women & Children, was featured in a recent issue of MidWeek as a part of the "Dr. in the House” column for American Hearth Month

March 6, 2026 - Hawaii Pacific Health

Stanford Children's Groundbreaking Surgery Gives Patient a New Life

A multidisciplinary team at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health has given young patient a new life. After a complex 10-hour surgery to repair a rare congenital heart condition, her successful outcome pioneers a new approach for young patients. This was made possible by the incredible team of Drs. Michael Ma, Arvind Bishnoi, Rebecca Johnson Kameny, and Cissy Si.

February 24, 2026 - The Washington Post/Creative Group

Stanford Medicine Children’s Health Conversation with Dr. Frank Hanley

CEO of Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, Paul King, interviews Dr. Frank Hanley, a pioneer of unifocalization, a surgical approach for one of the most complex heart conditions known as pulmonary atresia with major aortopulmonary collaterals. His innovation radically changed outcomes for babies who were once considered untreatable.

February 19, 2026 - Stanford Medicine Children’s Health

Dr. Rosemary Kelly Welcomed as Second Dr. Philip E. Oyer Visiting Professor

Dr. Rosemary Kelly, a renowned cardiovascular surgeon and Vice Chair for Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at the University of Minnesota’s Cardiothoracic Surgery Division, as well as Chief of the Heart and Vascular Service Line for M Health Fairview, delivered a lecture titled “From Grafts to Growth: Biotechnological Advances in Coronary Revascularization” during the 2nd Dr. Philip E. Oyer Visiting Professorship on January 14, 2026.

February 13, 2026 

Helping Heart Patients Thrive at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford

In honor of American Heart Month, the Lucile Packard Foundation spotlights clinical and research advances achieved at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, including a feature on Drs. Michael Ma and Frank Hanley. 

February 11, 2026 - Lucile Packard Foundation

A Heartfelt Story: Ziyan Liu’s Journey From Patient to Author

Heart transplant recipient Ziyan Liu, transplanted at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford in 2017, turned her journey with congenital heart disease into a published novel and now thrives nine years later—an inspiring testament to the life-saving impact of Stanford’s pediatric heart surgery program.

February 11, 2026 - Healthier, Happy Lives Blog

Celebrate Heart Health with Stanford Medicine

In recognition of American Heart Month, Stanford Medicine shares news of breakthroughs shaping the future of heart health. The collection of stories include Stanford's leadership in minimally invasive options for CABG (Drs. Jack Boyd and Élan Burton); a pioneering technique for beating-heart transplants from cardiac death donors (Dr. Joseph Woo); and the creation of lab-grown “mini-hearts” with functional blood vessels by Stanford researchers (Dr. Oscar J. Abilez).

February 11, 2026 - Stanford Medical Center Development 

Department Showcases Clinical and Research Excellence at STS 2026 Annual Meeting

Stanford faculty, researchers, and trainees had an extensive and impactful presence at the conference, contributing to expert panels, delivering key presentations on cutting-edge research, and receiving prestigious awards for their commitment to mentorship and education.

February 11, 2026 

Dr. Michael Fischbein's Lab Honored with Prestigious Awards from the Marfan Foundation

The Marfan Foundation awarded Dr. Michael Fischbein the Everest Award and his postdoctoral fellow, Dr. Matthew Duda, the Victor A. McKusick Fellowship to support their lab's research into Marfan and Loeys-Dietz syndromes.

February 10, 2026 

CVI 2026 Winter Quarterly Newsletter

Featuring several highlights from the department: the appointment of Dr. John W. MacArthur as Associate Program Director of the Integrated and Adult Cardiac Surgery Residency Program, joining the leadership of Dr. Michael Fischbein (p. 5); a first-author study in Cell Genomics led by Albert Pedroza (p. 7); the visit of Dr. Jessica S. Donington as the Eighth Dr. James B.D. Mark Family Visiting Professor (p. 10); new lung cancer surveillance study led by Dr. Leah Backhus (p. 12); and the successful completion of enrollment in the international REPAIR MR clinical trial (p. 13).

February 5, 2026 – Stanford Cardiovascular Institute

Honoring National Heart Month

During Heart Month, Stanford Medicine Children's Health proudly highlights its unwavering commitment to providing world-class cardiovascular care. With over 600 faculty and staff, including cardiothoracic surgeons, the team tirelessly works to transform lives with unparalleled dedication and expertise.

February 3, 2026 – Stanford Children’s

StanfordMed Pulse: Recognizing American Heart Month 2026

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 2, 2026 - StanfordMed Pulse

Best of Lung Cancer Science Featuring Dr. Leah Backhus

Dr. Leah Backhus joined Dr. Erin Gillaspie, host of the STS Thinking Thoracic podcast, to explore key takeaways from the 2025 World Conference on Lung Cancer, including how precision data, surgical restraint, and breakthrough immunotherapy are transforming care.

January 29, 2026 - The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

Stanford Children’s Heart Center Welcomes Dr. Antonio Amodeo, Expanding Surgical Expertise

Dr. Antonio Amodeo joined the department in November 2025 as Professor of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery. A global leader in cardiac innovation, he specializes in heart transplantation, artificial heart implantation, and VAD implantation. He joins the team at the Stanford Betty Irene Moore Children’s Heart Center.

January 26, 2026 - Stanford Children’s

Could Gene Therapy Treat a Deadly Heart Condition that Targets Young Athletes? 

A recent study has discovered that restoring a key cardiac protein called connexin‑43 in a mouse model can dramatically improve heart function and extend survival in several inherited forms of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. Dr. Ioannis Karakikes was one of the study's co-authors.

January 26, 2026 - UC San Diego Today

Stanford Medicine Brand Advertising Campaign Launched

The refreshed Stanford Medicine "Advancing knowledge, improving lives" campaign launched this week, highlighting how the school of medicine and health care systems work together to advance discovery, education and patient care. Featured stories include one about Stanford cardiothoracic surgeons saving a guardsman’s life with a complex heart procedure and another treating a patient with atrial fibrillation.

January 20, 2026 - Stanford MedPulse

Stanford Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. Leah Backhus Featured in New York Times 

Dr. Leah Backhus was recently featured in a prominent New York Times article, highlighting the rarity of women in cardiothoracic surgery, and the mission of the Women in Thoracic Surgery’s (WTS) to advance women in the field.

January 20, 2026

Dr. Jessica S. Donington Featured at Eighth Dr. James B.D. Mark Family Visiting Professor Lecture

Dr. Jessica Donington, renowned thoracic surgeon and expert in lung cancer management, presented her talk on “Lung Cancer Revolution,” at the 8th Dr. James B.D. Mark Family Visiting Professorship lecture on October 25, 2025. 

January 9, 2026