Executive Vice-Chair, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
I attended medical school at the University of Chicago and completed general surgery training at Los Angeles County/University of Southern California Medical Center. I then completed cardiothoracic surgery residency at the University of Minnesota in 1999 and joined the Cardiothoracic Surgery Division upon graduation. Over my career, I have served as the Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Minneapolis VA Healthcare System from 2007-2019. In 2017, I became the C. Walter and Richard C. Lillehei Professor and Chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery. I then became the Executive Vice Chair of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery in 2022 as well as Chief, Heart and Vascular Service Line for M Health Fairview.
I am a cardiac surgeon and also do lung transplantation. I am involved in basic and translational research. I have participated in VA cooperative trials including CARP, RAVE, REGROUP and VALOR trials, serving on the Executive Committees for RAVE and REGROUP. I also participated in ex vivo lung organ preservation INSPIRE and EXPAND clinical trials at the University of Minnesota. My basic science work uses the study of myocardial molecular and physiologic recovery following revascularization and use of cell-based reparative therapies. I publishes in both basic and translational arenas with continuous funding since 2003. I love mentoring student and residents interested in academic surgical careers.
Throughout my career, I have been driven to improve educational experiences and professional development for thoracic surgeons. For passion resulted in my roles as Program Director of the Thoracic Surgery Residency at the University of Minnesota and Vice-Chair of Clinical Faculty Development. Nationally, I serve as Secretary for the AATS and as an examiner for ABTS. These roles provide the opportunity for me to give back to an impactful and challenging specialty through education, leadership and innovation.
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Adult Cardiac Surgical Matinee
Saturday, January 25, 2025
7:15am – 8:15am PT