• Chief, Division of Cardiovascular Surgery
• Julian Johnson Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery II

I serve as Chief of the Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, and I provide aorta and heart valve care as part of the surgical team at the Penn Aorta Center. I’ve completed more than 5,000 heart procedures, including more than 2,500 involving heart valves. 

I focus on minimally invasive surgery, endovascular aortic approaches, and transcatheter valve repairs and replacements. I treat the mitral valve, the tricuspid valve and the aortic valve, including those that are bicuspid. I also perform valve-sparing aortic root replacements.

I’m overseeing research to expand endovascular treatment in the thoracic aorta, including to the aortic arch with branched stent-grafts. And I’m exploring novel, catheter-based technology for mitral and tricuspid valve repair and replacement. I am a member on several committees for the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and serve as deputy editor of the Annals of Thoracic Surgery.

I’ve pursued heart surgery because it includes opportunities to make an immediate difference. It’s a big honor and a big responsibility, and I approach it with compassion and humility. I want the people I help to feel comfortable with me and know that I will always be their advocate.

Education and training

• Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University
• Residency: University of Pennsylvania Health System
• Fellowship: University of Pennsylvania Health System