Stay up to date on your colleagues’ professional achievements and find opportunities for connection, collaboration, mentorship, and more.
Medical professionals, researchers, and former students gathered at Rush University Medical Center Section of Thoracic Surgery in March to posthumously honor Hassan Najafi, MD, the 18th STS president, who died in 2017, for his contributions to cardiothoracic surgery. A highlight of the evening was the dedication of a new medical research fund in his name, ensuring that his passion for education and surgical advancements continues to shape future generations of doctors.
Danielle Gottlieb Sen, MD, has joined the Heart Institute team at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. Previously, she served as an assistant professor of surgery, congenital heart surgeon, director of pediatric cardiac surgery research and director of pediatric surgery quality and outcomes at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Joseph Bavaria, MD, was appointed executive director of the Bruce and Robbi Toll Heart and Vascular Institute at Jefferson Health and chair of the Department of Cardiac Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University's Sidney Kimmel Medical College. Dr. Bavaria joined Jefferson from Penn Medicine where he served as vice chief, Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, director of the Thoracic Aortic Surgery Program, co-director of the Transcatheter Valve Program and founder and co-director of the Penn Aorta Center.
Siddharth Pahwa, MD, was promoted to associate professor in the Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery at the University of Louisville. He also serves as division chief, adult cardiac surgery, Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at the University of Louisville.
James McPherson, MD, a thoracic surgeon, has joined the Capital Health Surgical Group of the Capital Health Cancer Center. Dr. McPherson received his medical degree from Tulane University, where he also received his Master of Public Health degree. He founded the Los Angeles Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Group, focusing on early diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer and minimally invasive heart valve surgery.
Yasir Abu-Omar, MD, was appointed chief of cardiac surgery at University Hospital’s Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute. Previously, he served as UH Cleveland Medical Center’s director of cardiothoracic transplantation. During that time, he implemented the health system’s donation after circulatory death heart transplant program and co-developed the system’s extracorporeal CPR program, the first of its kind in Ohio.
Gillian Alex, MD, has been appointed as director of robotic surgery and education at Rush Medical Center. She began her career there as a cardiothoracic attending physician in 2020 and played an integral role in launching the thoracic robotic program at Silver Cross Hospital, a partner with the Rush Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery. She is a graduate of the Rush general surgery residency program and the Rush cardiothoracic surgery fellowship program.
Daniel De Oliveira, MD, a cardiothoracic and general surgeon, will lead the new Nassau University Medical Center thoracic surgery clinic in Long Island, NY. He will be responsible for expanding care for patients with cardiovascular conditions and offering specialized services for patients with chest diseases and lung cancer, among other services.
Daisuke Kaneyuki, MD, has joined the cardiothoracic surgical associates' team at Independence Health System in Greensburg, PA. He completed his premedical studies and earned a Bachelor of Medicine degree from Chiba University School of Medicine in Japan. He served a cardiovascular surgical residency at Chiba University Hospital and clinical fellowships at Mayo Clinic, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, and Columbia University Hospital.
John MacArthur, MD, assistant professor of cardiothoracic surgery, has been honored with the 2024 Stanford Cardiovascular Institute Recognition Award for Faculty. This prestigious award recognizes faculty members who continuously strive to improve the Institute’s culture and community. Dr. MacArthur is celebrated for his efforts to support and mentor trainees from underrepresented backgrounds across all career stages, fostering a culture of inclusivity and respect.
Nemours Children’s Health has named Aaron Eckhauser, MD, chief of cardiothoracic surgery, chair of cardiovascular medicine and executive director of the Nemours Children’s Cardiac Center in Wilmington, DE. He will oversee the delivery of cardiothoracic surgical services and help develop a framework for cardiac care across the health system. He previously served as the surgical director of quality improvement at Salt Lake City-based Intermountain Health’s Primary Children’s Hospital.