Joseph A. Dearani, M.D.

Location

SUMMARY

Joseph A. Dearani, M.D., has a special interest in the surgical treatment of pediatric and adult congenital heart disease, robotic heart surgery and heart transplantation.

Focus areas

• Pediatric and adult congenital heart disease.
• Robotic heart surgery.
• Innovative valve repair techniques such as the Ross procedure.
• Complex reoperations.
• Aortic root surgery.
• Cardiac transplantation.
• Regenerative medicine and stem cell therapies in congenital heart disease.

Significance to patient care

Surgical repair for most congenital heart defects occurs in infancy and early childhood. These operations can be performed with low risk even for the most complex defects, and result in long-term health, normal life expectancy and excellent quality of life for most patients. Novel valve repair techniques can be performed for the aortic, mitral and tricuspid valves that can delay or avoid valve replacement, and selected valve procedures can be done robotically or with a minimally invasive approach.

Professional highlights

• President, Thoracic Surgery Foundation, Society of Thoracic Surgeons, 2022-2025.
• Chair, American Board of Thoracic Surgery, 2022-2024.
• Innovation Accelerator Award, Office of Translation to Practice, Mayo Clinic, 2023.
• President, Society of Thoracic Surgeons, 2020.
• Chair, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 2011-2020.
• President, Congenital Heart Surgeons' Society, 2019.
• Program director, Thoracic Surgery Residency, Mayo Clinic, 2002-2010.