OHSU has a long history of driving innovation in cardiothoracic surgery and care. Our researcher Albert Starr, M.D., implanted and coinvented the first artificial heart valve here in 1960, revolutionizing the field.  

Our division continues that tradition by providing advanced care for the state’s cardiothoracic patients with the most complex needs.  

• Clinical programs and leading-edge surgical treatments for patients with challenging conditions
• Talented and accomplished faculty who hold leadership positions in professional organizations such as The Society of Thoracic Surgeons and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery
• A well-known fellowship program whose fellows receive multiple offers upon completion 
• A highly collaborative and collegial culture

We care for patients through three programs.  

Adult Cardiac Surgery treats patients with cardiovascular disease who need simple or complex heart procedures. Our surgeons offer:  

• Heart valve surgery  
• Transcatheter techniques for heart valve repair and replacement  
• Coronary artery bypass  
• Heart transplantation  
• Ventricular assist device surgery  
• Aortic surgery  

General Thoracic Surgery provides noncardiac thoracic surgery for many conditions, including:  

• Cancers  
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD
• Pectus excavatum  

Pediatric Cardiac Surgery treats children and adults with congenital heart disease. Our surgeons collaborate closely with our team of pediatric cardiologists, intensivists and anesthesiologists to treat conditions that include:  

• Septal defects  
• Patent ductus arteriosus  
• Tetralogy of Fallot  
• Tricuspid and pulmonary atresia  
• Transposition of the great arteries  

We train fellows primarily through our Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship program.  

We also participate in the OHSU Knight Cardiovascular Institute’s Structural Heart Disease Fellowship. The advanced fellowship educates subspecialists who study these conditions and care for patients with complex valvular heart disease. The selected fellow is typically a cardiologist but sometimes a cardiac surgeon.  

To apply, contact the Knight Cardiovascular Institute’s Education Manager, Ana Martin, at plesiaa@ohsu.edu. 

In special situations, we offer an advanced cardiac surgery fellowship. Email our fellowship coordinator at manelis@ohsu.edu for question.

Our research programs include:  

• Developing treatment options for patients with complex structural heart and aortic conditions 
• Innovating and improving clinical outcomes in pediatric and congenital cardiac surgery
• Advancing the interdisciplinary field of surgical decision sciences through the Surgical Data & Decision Sciences Lab