Top Doctors 2016: Thoracic & Cardiac Surgery

Thoracic and cardiac surgery includes operations performed on any organ in the chest, including the lungs, esophagus, heart and others. Thoracic surgeons treat patients with lung cancer, coronary disease, aneurysms and heart diseases. A subset of thoracic surgery, cardiac surgery includes aortic and valve surgery, artificial hearts and implantable devices, atrial fibrillation and bypass surgery, valve surgery and other procedures.

Gabriel Sorin Aldea, M.D., minimally invasive heart surgery, valve replacement or repair, cardiopulmonary bypass and surgery for aortic aneurysms; Cardiac Surgery Clinic at UWMC, 1959 NE Pacific St., Seattle, 206.598.3636; UW Medical Center, Northwest Hospital & Medical Center; Columbia University, 1981

Ralph W. Aye, M.D., thoracic aortic surgery, esophageal cancer, minimally invasive surgery; Swedish Thoracic & Esophageal Surgery and Interventional Pulmonology, 1101 Madison Ave., Suite 900, Seattle, 206.215.6800; Swedish Medical Center–First Hill, Swedish Medical Center–Issaquah; University of Pittsburgh, 1977

James K. Brevig, M.D., aortic surgery, coronary artery surgery, heart valve surgery; Providence Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery, 1330 Rockefeller Ave., Suite 400, Everett, 425.261.4950; Providence Regional Medical Center; Columbia University, 1986

Alexander S. Farivar, M.D., mesothelioma, robotic surgery, esophageal and lung cancer; Swedish Thoracic & Esophageal Surgery and Interventional Pulmonology, 1101 Madison St., Suite 900, Seattle, 206.215.6800; Swedish Medical Center–First Hill; Boston University, 1999

Allen Graeve, M.D., cardiothoracic surgery, mitral heart valve surgery, aortic valve replacement/Ross procedure; MultiCare Cardiothoracic Surgery, Jackson Hall Medical Center, 314 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Suite 202, Tacoma, 253.403.7257; MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital; Creighton University, 1977

Mark E. Hill, M.D., adult cardiac surgery, mitral heart valve surgery, thoracic surgery; Virginia Mason Medical Center, Cardiothoracic Surgery, 1100 Ninth Ave., Seattle, 206.223.6198; Virginia Mason, EvergreenHealth Medical Center; University of Utah, 1989

Nahush A. Mokadam, M.D., heart transplant, stem cell therapy and biosurgery, left ventricular assist device (LVAD); UW Medicine, Cardiothoracic Surgery, 1959 NE Pacific St., Seattle, 206.598.3636; UW Medical Center, Northwest Hospital & Medical Center; University of Pennsylvania, 1998

Lester C. Permut, M.D., pediatric cardiothoracic surgery, congenital heart disease; Seattle Children’s Hospital, 4800 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, 206.987.2515; Seattle Children’s, UW Medical Center; Boston University, 1983

Patrick E. Ryan Jr., M.D., adult cardiac surgery, minimally invasive heart valve surgery, aortic aneurysm; Swedish Heart & Vascular Institute, Cardiac Surgery, 1600 E Jefferson St., Suite 110, Seattle, 206.320.7300; Swedish Medical Center–Cherry Hill; State University of New York, Buffalo, 1987

Eric Vallieres, M.D., thoracic and esophageal surgery, interventional pulmonology; Swedish Medical Center, Thoracic Surgery, 1101 Madison St., Suite 900, Seattle, 206.215.6800; Swedish Medical Center–First Hill; Université Laval, Canada, 1982

Edward D. Verrier, M.D., adult congenital heart disease, heart valve surgery, aortic surgery; UW Medicine, Cardiothoracic Surgery, 1959 NE Pacific St., Seattle, 206.598.3636; UW Medical Center, Northwest Hospital & Medical Center; Tufts University, 1974

Douglas E. Wood, M.D., lung and esophageal cancer, tracheal surgery, mesothelioma; Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, 825 Eastlake Ave. E, Seattle, 206.598.0917; UW Medical Center; Harvard Medical School, 1983