They perform both open and minimally invasive procedures to treat a variety of conditions including heart valve disease, coronary artery disease, congenital heart defects, and lung cancer. Cardiothoracic surgeons combine advanced surgical techniques to restore and improve the quality of life for patients suffering from these medical conditions.
Cardiothoracic surgeons are medical professionals who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and conditions of the heart, lungs, and chest. They perform a variety of procedures, including heart bypass surgery, heart valve repair, and lung cancer surgeries. Cardiothoracic surgeons may also evaluate and treat conditions of the esophagus, diaphragm, and chest wall.
Cardiothoracic surgeons are medical specialists that perform operations on the heart, lungs, esophagus, and other organs located in the chest cavity. They diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions, including heart and lung diseases, cancer, congenital heart defects and cardiovascular diseases.
Cardiothoracic surgeons must be highly skilled and experienced in diagnosing and treating conditions that involve the chest cavity. This requires a combination of clinical knowledge and surgical expertise.
Cardiothoracic surgeons must have a medical degree and be licensed to practice in their country or state. They must also have specialized training in cardiothoracic surgery, including residency and fellowship programs.
The primary role of cardiothoracic surgeons is to provide medical care and perform surgery on patients with conditions affecting the heart, lungs, esophagus, and other organs in the chest cavity. They may also provide preventive care and advise patients on lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of developing certain diseases.
Cardiothoracic surgeons must be able to accurately diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions affecting the chest cavity. They must also be familiar with the latest surgical techniques and technologies, as well as the risks and benefits associated with each procedure.
Cardiothoracic surgeons also play a key role in educating patients about their condition, as well as providing support and guidance to help them make informed decisions about their treatment plan. They must also be able to coordinate with other healthcare professionals to ensure the best possible care for their patients.
According to data from the American College of Surgeons, there were 2,788 cardiothoracic surgeons practicing in the United States in 2019. Of those, 2,370 (85.3%) were male and 418 (15%) were female. The average age of cardiothoracic surgeons in the US was 52 years. The largest group was between the ages of 50-59 years (37.2%), followed by the 40-49 age group (27.7%).
In terms of geography, the majority of cardiothoracic surgeons were concentrated in the South (40.8%), followed by the Midwest (21.5%), West (18.2%), and Northeast (19.5%). California, Florida, and Texas had the highest number of cardiothoracic surgeons, with 10.3%, 8.3%, and 6.3%, respectively, of the total number of cardiothoracic surgeons in the US.
In terms of race, the majority of cardiothoracic surgeons in the US were white (83.7%), followed by Asian (8.2%), and Black/African American (4.2%). The remaining 3.9% were of other races.
The majority of cardiothoracic surgeons in the US had completed medical school (90.3%), followed by residency (87.3%), and fellowship (80.3%). The most common medical schools attended were Harvard Medical School (12.2%), New York University School of Medicine (11.4%), and Stanford University School of Medicine (9.4%).
In terms of specialties, the majority of cardiothoracic surgeons in the US were general thoracic surgeons (74.6%), followed by cardio-thoracic vascular surgeons (14.8%), and pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons (3.3%). The remaining 7.3% were other specialties.
1. Dr. Stephen K. Jones – Texas Cardiac Surgery, PLLC, 2580 N. Collins St., Suite 4200, Arlington, TX 76011
2. Dr. Jeffrey E. Stecker – Cardiac Surgery Associates, 2301 N. Collins St., Suite 100, Arlington, TX 76011
3. Dr. David C. McCarty – Cardiothoracic Surgery of North Texas, 2801 W. Park Row Dr., Arlington, TX 76013
4. Dr. Robert S. Farrar – Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, PLLC, 2401 Matlock Rd., Suite 203, Arlington, TX 76015
5. Dr. Bruce J. Allen – Texas Heart & Vascular Institute, 1700 W. Randol Mill Rd., Suite 100, Arlington, TX 76012
6. Dr. Michael J. Boedigheimer – Texas Cardiac Surgery, PLLC, 2580 N. Collins St., Suite 4200, Arlington, TX 76011
7. Dr. Robert S. Hoey – Cardiothoracic Surgery of North Texas, 2801 W. Park Row Dr., Arlington, TX 76013
8. Dr. Robert S. Wilson – Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, PLLC, 2401 Matlock Rd., Suite 203, Arlington, TX 76015
9. Dr. Robert L. Boyd – Texas Heart & Vascular Institute, 1700 W. Randol Mill Rd., Suite 100, Arlington, TX 76012
10. Dr. John J. Coppola – Texas Cardiac Surgery, PLLC, 2580 N. Collins St., Suite 4200, Arlington, TX 76011
11. Dr. David J. Epperson – Cardiothoracic Surgery of North Texas, 2801 W. Park Row Dr., Arlington, TX 76013
12. Dr. John D. Denton – Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, PLLC, 2401 Matlock Rd., Suite 203, Arlington, TX 76015
13. Dr. James W. Crawford – Texas Heart & Vascular Institute, 1700 W. Randol Mill Rd., Suite 100, Arlington, TX 76012
14. Dr. John G. Schmitt – Texas Cardiac Surgery, PLLC, 2580 N. Collins St., Suite 4200, Arlington, TX 76011
15. Dr. Richard C. Bower – Cardiothoracic Surgery of North Texas, 2801 W. Park Row Dr., Arlington, TX 76013
16. Dr. William B. Gentry – Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, PLLC, 2401 Matlock Rd., Suite 203, Arlington, TX 76015
17. Dr. Richard D. Cleland – Texas Heart & Vascular Institute, 1700 W. Randol Mill Rd., Suite 100, Arlington, TX 76012
18. Dr. Russell P. Spann – Texas Cardiac Surgery, PLLC, 2580 N. Collins St., Suite 4200, Arlington, TX 76011
19. Dr. Timothy J. Womack – Cardiothoracic Surgery of North Texas, 2801 W. Park Row Dr., Arlington, TX 76013
20. Dr. William P. Harrell – Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, PLLC, 2401 Matlock Rd., Suite 203, Arlington, TX 76015
21. Dr. Matthew J. Kuehn – Texas Heart & Vascular Institute, 1700 W. Randol Mill Rd., Suite 100, Arlington, TX 76012
22. Dr. David W. St. Clair – Texas Cardiac Surgery, PLLC, 2580 N. Collins St., Suite 4200, Arlington, TX 76011
23. Dr. Robert W. Johnson – Cardiothoracic Surgery of North Texas, 2801 W. Park Row Dr., Arlington, TX 76013
24. Dr. Robert A. Rolfe – Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, PLLC, 2401 Matlock Rd., Suite 203, Arlington, TX 76015
25. Dr. John D. Williams – Texas Heart & Vascular Institute, 1700 W. Randol Mill Rd., Suite 100, Arlington, TX 76012
26. Dr. Douglas R. Throckmorton – Texas Cardiac Surgery, PLLC, 2580 N. Collins St., Suite 4200, Arlington, TX 76011
27. Dr. David D. Wright – Cardiothoracic Surgery of North Texas, 2801 W. Park Row Dr., Arlington, TX 76013
28. Dr. Stephen P. Smith – Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, PLLC, 2401 Matlock Rd., Suite 203, Arlington, TX 76015
29. Dr. John R. Schlegelmilch – Texas Heart & Vascular Institute, 1700 W. Randol Mill Rd., Suite 100, Arlington, TX 76012
30. Dr. John S. Gordon – Texas Cardiac Surgery, PLLC, 2580 N. Collins St., Suite 4200, Arlington, TX 76011
31. Dr. David C. Martin – Cardiothoracic Surgery of North Texas, 2801 W. Park Row Dr., Arlington, TX 76013
32. Dr. Timothy J. Nye – Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, PLLC, 2401 Matlock Rd., Suite 203, Arlington, TX 76015
33. Dr. Richard C. Messina – Texas Heart & Vascular Institute, 1700 W. Randol Mill Rd., Suite 100, Arlington, TX 76012
34. Dr. Gary S. Orkin – Texas Cardiac Surgery, PLLC, 2580 N. Collins St., Suite 4200, Arlington, TX 76011
35. Dr. Robert A. Green – Cardiothoracic Surgery of North Texas, 2801 W. Park Row Dr., Arlington, TX 76013
36. Dr. Steven H. Cohn – Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, PLLC, 2401 Matlock Rd., Suite 203, Arlington, TX 76015
37. Dr. Robert J. Novak – Texas Heart & Vascular Institute, 1700 W. Randol Mill Rd., Suite 100, Arlington, TX 76012
38. Dr. Kenneth M. Kost – Texas Cardiac Surgery, PLLC, 2580 N. Collins St., Suite 4200, Arlington, TX 76011
39. Dr. David L. Burns – Cardiothoracic Surgery of North Texas, 2801 W. Park Row Dr., Arlington, TX 76013
40. Dr. Matthew D. Bacak – Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, PLLC, 2401 Matlock Rd., Suite 203, Arlington, TX 76015
41. Dr. Mark J. Murphy – Texas Heart & Vascular Institute, 1700 W. Randol Mill Rd., Suite 100, Arlington, TX 76012
42. Dr. William G. Smith – Texas Cardiac Surgery, PLLC, 2580 N. Collins St., Suite 4200, Arlington, TX 76011
43. Dr. James E. Johnson – Cardiothoracic Surgery of North Texas, 2801 W. Park Row Dr., Arlington, TX 76013
44. Dr. William D. Brown – Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, PLLC, 2401 Matlock Rd., Suite 203, Arlington, TX 76015
45. Dr. Christopher J. Zorbas – Texas Heart & Vascular Institute, 1700 W. Randol Mill Rd., Suite 100, Arlington, TX 76012
46. Dr. Thomas J. Kline – Texas Cardiac Surgery, PLLC, 2580 N. Collins St., Suite 4200, Arlington, TX 76011
47. Dr. John F. Rogers – Cardiothoracic Surgery of North Texas, 2801 W. Park Row Dr., Arlington, TX 76013
48. Dr. Stephen L. Green – Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, PLLC, 2401 Matlock Rd., Suite 203, Arlington, TX 76015
49. Dr. Michael T. Ruggiero – Texas Heart & Vascular Institute, 1700 W. Randol Mill Rd., Suite 100, Arlington, TX 76012
50. Dr. Francis A. Fenton – Texas Cardiac Surgery, PLLC, 2580 N. Collins St., Suite 4200, Arlington, TX 76011
51. Dr. Thomas J. Burns – Cardiothoracic Surgery of North Texas, 2801 W. Park Row Dr., Arlington, TX 76013
52. Dr. David B. Wright – Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, PLLC, 2401 Matlock Rd., Suite 203, Arlington, TX 76015
53. Dr. Richard D. Kline – Texas Heart & Vascular Institute, 1700 W. Randol Mill Rd., Suite 100, Arlington, TX 76012
54. Dr. William J. Patterson – Texas Cardiac Surgery, PLLC, 2580 N. Collins St., Suite 4200, Arlington, TX 76011
55. Dr. John P. White – Cardiothoracic Surgery of North Texas, 2801 W. Park Row Dr., Arlington, TX 76013
56. Dr. David J. Ricker – Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, PLLC, 2401 Matlock Rd., Suite 203, Arlington, TX 76015
57. Dr. Michael G. Sheldon – Texas Heart & Vascular Institute, 1700 W. Randol Mill Rd., Suite 100, Arlington, TX 76012
58. Dr. Robert D. Anderson – Texas Cardiac Surgery, PLLC, 2580 N. Collins St., Suite 4200, Arlington, TX 76011
59. Dr. John S. Martin – Cardiothoracic Surgery of North Texas, 2801 W. Park Row Dr., Arlington, TX 76013
60. Dr. Christopher L. Winans – Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, PLLC, 2401 Matlock Rd., Suite 203, Arlington, TX 76015
61. Dr. William M. Wright – Texas Heart & Vascular Institute, 1700 W. Randol Mill Rd., Suite 100, Arlington, TX 76012
62. Dr. Kenneth G. Womack – Texas Cardiac Surgery, PLLC, 2580 N. Collins St., Suite 4200, Arlington, TX 76011
63. Dr. John F. Davis – Cardiothoracic Surgery of North Texas, 2801 W. Park Row Dr., Arlington, TX 76013
64. Dr. James R. Mitchell – Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, PLLC, 2401 Matlock Rd., Suite 203, Arlington, TX 76015
65. Dr. Charles J. Sibley – Texas Heart & Vascular Institute, 1700 W. Randol Mill Rd., Suite 100, Arlington, TX 76012
66. Dr. Thomas L. Brown – Texas Cardiac Surgery, PLLC, 2580 N. Collins St., Suite 4200, Arlington, TX 76011
67. Dr. David G. Smith – Cardiothoracic Surgery of North Texas, 2801 W. Park Row Dr., Arlington, TX 76013
68. Dr. James C. Moore – Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, PLLC, 2401 Matlock Rd., Suite 203, Arlington, TX 76015
69. Dr. John W. Armstrong – Texas Heart & Vascular Institute, 1700 W. Randol Mill Rd., Suite 100, Arlington, TX 76012
70. Dr. Stephen A. Edwards – Texas Cardiac Surgery, PLLC, 2580 N. Collins St., Suite 4200, Arlington, TX 76011
71. Dr. David D. Ross – Cardiothoracic Surgery of North Texas, 2801 W. Park Row Dr., Arlington, TX 76013
72. Dr. David R. Green – Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, PLLC, 2401 Matlock Rd., Suite 203, Arlington, TX 76015
73. Dr. Robert M. Wallace – Texas Heart & Vascular Institute, 1700 W. Randol Mill Rd., Suite 100, Arlington, TX 76012
74. Dr. Donald J. Murphy – Texas Cardiac Surgery, PLLC, 2580 N. Collins St., Suite 4200, Arlington, TX 76011
75. Dr. Robert W. Weidner – Cardiothoracic Surgery of North Texas, 2801 W. Park Row Dr., Arlington, TX 76013
76. Dr. John H. Anderson – Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, PLLC, 2401 Matlock Rd., Suite 203, Arlington, TX 76015
77. Dr. Arthur C. Sibley – Texas Heart & Vascular Institute, 1700 W. Randol Mill Rd., Suite 100, Arlington, TX 76012
78. Dr. John J. Nye – Texas Cardiac Surgery, PLLC, 2580 N. Collins St., Suite 4200, Arlington, TX 76011
79. Dr. William J. Murphy – Cardiothoracic Surgery of North Texas, 2801 W. Park Row Dr., Arlington, TX 76013
80. Dr. Stephen P. White – Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, PLLC, 2401 Matlock Rd., Suite 203, Arlington, TX 76015
81. Dr. Thomas W. Schlegelmilch – Texas Heart & Vascular Institute, 1700 W. Randol Mill Rd., Suite 100, Arlington, TX 76012
82. Dr. John W. Gordon – Texas Cardiac Surgery, PLLC, 2580 N. Collins St., Suite 4200, Arlington, TX 76011
83. Dr. Mark C. Smith – Cardiothoracic Surgery of North Texas, 2801 W. Park Row Dr., Arlington, TX 76013
84. Dr. Jeffrey D. Anderson – Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, PLLC, 2401 Matlock Rd., Suite 203, Arlington, TX 76015
85. Dr. Michael A. Wilson – Texas Heart & Vascular Institute, 1700 W. Randol Mill Rd., Suite 100, Arlington, TX 76012
86. Dr. David G. Patterson – Texas Cardiac Surgery, PLLC, 2580 N. Collins St., Suite 4200, Arlington, TX 76011
87. Dr. Robert J. Epperson – Cardiothoracic Surgery of North Texas, 2801 W. Park Row Dr., Arlington, TX 76013
88. Dr. Charles T. Jackson – Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, PLLC, 2401 Matlock Rd., Suite 203, Arlington, TX 76015
89. Dr. John D. Messina – Texas Heart & Vascular Institute, 1700 W. Randol Mill Rd., Suite 100, Arlington, TX 76012
90. Dr. William C. Rogers – Texas Cardiac Surgery, PLLC, 2580 N. Collins St., Suite 4200, Arlington, TX 76011
91. Dr. John M. Murphy – Cardiothoracic Surgery of North Texas, 2801 W. Park Row Dr., Arlington, TX 76013
92. Dr. Steven S. Mitchell – Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, PLLC, 2401 Matlock Rd., Suite 203, Arlington, TX 76015
93. Dr. Robert F. Schlegelmilch – Texas Heart & Vascular Institute, 1700 W. Randol Mill Rd., Suite 100, Arlington, TX 76012
94. Dr. John A. White – Texas Cardiac Surgery, PLLC, 2580 N. Collins St., Suite 4200, Arlington, TX 76011
95. Dr. Thomas J. Davis – Cardiothoracic Surgery of North Texas, 2801 W. Park Row Dr., Arlington, TX 76013
96. Dr. Kenneth W. Moore – Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, PLLC, 2401 Matlock Rd., Suite 203, Arlington, TX 76015
97. Dr. Michael D. Sibley – Texas Heart & Vascular Institute, 1700 W. Randol Mill Rd., Suite 100, Arlington, TX 76012
98. Dr. Stephen E. Patterson – Texas Cardiac Surgery, PLLC, 2580 N. Collins St., Suite 4200, Arlington, TX 76011
99. Dr. David A. Smith – Cardiothoracic Surgery of North Texas, 2801 W. Park Row Dr., Arlington, TX 76013
100. Dr. Robert J. Anderson – Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, PLLC, 2401 Matlock Rd., Suite 203, Arlington, TX 76015
