Cardiothoracic Surgery in Texas

Care Philosophy: I aim to deliver compassionate, world-class care to my patients by providing access to innovative therapies and state of the art technologies.

Care Philosophy: Faraz Kerendi, M.D is originally from Los Angeles, California. He earned his medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. His residency in general surgery and cardiac surgery fellowship were both completed at Emory University School of Medicine. Dr. Kerendi is board-certified in general surgery and thoracic surgery. He is a member of the American College of Surgeons, American Heart Association, Society of Thoracic Surgeons, International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery and the European Association of Cardiothoracic Surgery. Dr. Kerendi has received numerous research and teaching awards and published multiple papers in the field of cardiothoracic surgery. His clinical areas of interest include aortic root surgery, minimally invasive valve surgery, endovascular treatment of aortic aneurysms, off-pump coronary artery bypass, heart transplantation, and video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Prior to joining CTVS in July 2009, Dr. Kerendi was the chief resident of cardiothoracic surgery at Emory University School of Medicine.

Care Philosophy: At Southwest Cardiothoracic Surgeons, our practice approach is to deliver compassionate, world-class care to patients by providing access to innovative therapies and state of the art techniques.

Biography: Mark C. Felger, M.D. is a native Texan originally from Austin and earned his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. He completed his general surgery internship and residency at Emory University in Atlanta and his cardiothoracic surgery residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. He has practiced with Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons since 1997 and is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery as well as the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. Dr. Felger specializes in all areas of adult cardiac and thoracic surgery including mitral valve repair, endovascular thoracic aneurysm repair and coronary artery bypass surgery. He currently serves as Director of Surgical Services at Heart Hospital of Austin. He is an active member of Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association, Texas Transplant Society, Texas Medical Association and Travis County Medical Society. Dr. Felger has also composed and published numerous research articles in his specialty. He was recently listed as a Top Doctor in Austin Monthly based on peer endorsements, experience, education, training, research, publishing, and awards.

Care Philosophy: Provide the best possible care specifically tailored to each patient utilizing medical management, percutaneous access, minimally invasive and open surgery as indicated for each individual case.Dr. Tauriainen's professional associations include: *Fellow of American College of Surgeons*Fellow Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada*Fellow American College of Cardiology*American Medical Association

Biography: This physician is accepting telehealth visits.Hannan Chaugle, M.D., is a board certified Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeon. Dr. Chaugle received his medical degree from the University of Bombay, India. He obtained his Master Chirugiae in Cardiothoracic Surgery from the University of Bombay in 1993, and studied at the Royal College of Surgeons of Glasgow, United Kingdom. He then went on to complete his internship and residency at Grant Medical College in Bombay, India. Dr. Chaugle continued his training in the United States completing his Cardiothoracic Surgery fellowship at St. Vincent Hospital in Portland, OR. Dr. Chaugle went to Oregon Health & Science University where he completed his General Surgery residency and Cardiothoracic surgery fellowship. Lastly, Dr. Chaugle completed his Endovascular surgery fellowship at the Arizona Heart Hospital in Phoenix, AZ.Dr. Chaugle is board certified with the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. Dr. Chaugle has authored numerous publications in his field as well as participated in several clincial research projects. Dr. Chaugle has experience in all aspects of Adult Cardiac Surgery including coronary artery bypass, valve replacement and repair, aneurysm repair, and reoperative surgery.Dr. Chaugle welcomes new patients and referrals.

Biography: Dr. Uttam Tripathy graduated from SCB Medical College in 1986 with top honors, consistently ranking among the top three in his class during his MBBS studies. Following his undergraduate education, he pursued an MS in General Surgery at PGIMER, Chandigarh, and gained invaluable experience through a two-year registrarship in General and Vascular Surgery at PGI, Chandigarh. He went on to earn his MCh in Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery from Bombay University before relocating to the United States. Dr. Tripathy continued his education and training, completing accredited programs at the University of California, San Diego, as well as in Boston and Portland, Oregon Health Sciences. These endeavors led to his board certifications in both General Surgery and Thoracic Surgery. Presently, Dr. Uttam Tripathy serves as an attending Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon at Houston Methodist Hospital and the esteemed DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center. Renowned for his surgical prowess, he individually performs over 800 cases annually, a feat that has garnered him the esteemed peer-reviewed accolade of America's Top Surgeon for the past ten consecutive years. Additionally, he has been recognized as the top Cardiothoracic Surgeon in Fort Bend County for the last five years. Notably, he played a pivotal role in establishing a thriving cardiovascular surgery service line at Houston Methodist Sugarland Hospital, the bustling healthcare hub of Fort Bend County. Dr. Tripathy boasts an array of pioneering achievements within the county, including introducing the first minimally invasive coronary artery bypass, innovating the first minimally invasive treatment for pulmonary embolism, and spearheading an alternative method of treating carotid artery disease with the TransCarotid arterial revascularization (TCAR), among other notable accomplishments. In his academic pursuits, he serves as a national investigator focusing on the minimally invasive treatment of Pulmonary Embolism (P.E) and has contributed to significant trials such as the recently published Optalyse trial and the ongoing Knockout P.E study. Furthermore, he is actively involved in the hybrid trial for coronary artery disease, particularly in the realm of minimally invasive surgical interventions, and serves as an investigator exploring the use of drug-coated stents for peripheral arteries. Despite his demanding schedule, Dr. Tripathy nurtures a passion for travel and aspires to reignite his interest in oil painting during his limited leisure time.

Biography: This physician is accepting telehealth visits. Dr. Carlos O. Encarnacion is from a military family and calls San Antonio home. He attended Baylor University for undergraduate studies and the Texas Tech University Paul L. Foster School of Medicine before leaving Texas for residency. He completed general surgical internship at Harvard Medical School Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center then continued training in an integrated cardiothoracic surgical residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin followed by the University of Maryland Medical Center. He has held several leadership positions in training such as a clinical fellow in Surgery, Harvard Medical School, and chief resident in cardiothoracic surgery at University of Maryland Medical Center and holds the rank of Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve Medical Corp. He has 18 publications ranging the scope of cardiothoracic surgery and has presented at national and international conferences. Dr. Encarnacion's interests include endovascular aortic interventions and minimally invasive approaches ranging from anti-arrhythmia, valvular, coronary and thoracic oncology surgery.

Biography: Dr. Porat serves as the Director of Cardiothoracic Surgery at HCA Houston Healthcare Medical Center and Houston Heart. Prior to attaining this position, he served as a professor with the Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery with the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, the McGovern Medical School. Dr. Porat specializes in complex and high-risk cardiac surgery as well as complex aortic surgery. His clinical and research interests include coronary artery bypass grafting, valvular heart disease, aortic aneurysms and dissections, adult congenital cardiac anomalies and circulatory support.Dr. Porat is active in scientific, research and professional communications. He is a member of leading professional societies including the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS), the Society of Thoracic Surgery (STS), the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS), the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association (STSA), the International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery (ISMICS), the Israeli Heart Society, the Cardio-Thoracic Surgery network (CTSNET) and many more scientific and professional organizations. He has published over 80 articles and book chapters in peer-reviewed medical journals and textbooks, and was named one of Houston's Top Doctors by Houstonia Magazine. Dr. Porat is committed to patient-focused care, guided by the principles of compassion and empathy, respect and integrity, while providing the highest quality of cutting edge clinical care.

Care Philosophy: Dr. Kirkland is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. He specializes in adult cardiac and thoracic surgery including ventricular assist device therapy and heart transplantation. He currently serves as the Director of Cardiac Services at Seton Medical Center Hays. Dr. Kirkland is an active member of the American College of Surgeons, AMA, Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society, Houston Surgical Society, TMA, and TCMS.

Biography: Telehealth Services Provided.

Biography: This physician is accepting telehealth visits. Dr. MacHannaford is a board certified cardiothoracic surgeon. He performs all aspects of adult cardiac surgery with a particular interest in minimally invasive approaches to heart valve repairs. His other area of focus involves caring for patients with complex thoracic aortic disease such as aneurysms and dissections. He received additional aortic surgical training in both traditional and less invasive endovascular and hybrid approaches to treat aortic pathology. Dr. MacHannaford is also a member of the Heart Transplantation team and is trained in the implantation of mechanical circulatory devices for patients with end stage heart failure.

Care Philosophy: Care above all else

Biography: Hazim J. Safi, MD is a board certified Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeon with Houston Heart. Dr. Safi earned his Doctorate in Medicine at the University of Baghdad College of Medicine and completed his general surgery internship at Medical City Teaching Hospital in Baghdad and St. James Hospital in London, England. He completed his general surgical followed by his cardiothoracic residency at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, studying under Dr. Michael DeBakey.Dr. Safi is board certified in surgery, vascular surgery and thoracic surgery. He specializes in cardiothoracic surgery, aortic surgery, thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms and vascular surgery. His clinical interests include abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, acute aortic dissection, aneurysms, aortic root, aortic valve preservation, aortic valve surgery, ascending and arch aneurysm, coronary artery bypass, marfan syndrome and thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair.Dr. Safi serves as professor and chairman of the department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth in Houston and chief of cardiothoracic and vascular surgery at Memorial Hermann Heart & Vascular Institute.Listed as a Top Doctor by Houstonia magazine, Dr. Safi has authored or co-authored 30 book chapters and over 200 scientific articles in medical journals. His studies have helped improve surgical techniques that greatly improve outcomes. He lectures and gives workshops internationally to provide training for surgeons.

Biography: Dr. John Morales, MD is a Cardiothoracic Surgery Specialist who practices in Corpus Christi, TX. He is 64 years old and has been practicing for 40 years. Dr. John Morales, MD is affiliated with Corpus Christi Medical Center Doctors Regional.