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Welcome to the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at SUNY Downstate Medical Center .

SUNY Downstate Medical Center provided seminal contributions to the early development of cardiac surgery. The first case of cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass in New York State, and the second case in the world was performed by Dr. Clarence Dennis in 1955 in this center.


Attendings - Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, SUNY Downstate Medical Center Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery - University Hospital of Brooklyn [map]
Phone: 718.270.1981
From left to right:

Daniel Lee, M.D.
Joshua Burack, M.D.,
Vinay Tak, M.D., Division Chief

Division of Thoracic Surgery - UHB at Long Island College Hospital [map]
Steven Herman, M.D. (Division Chief)

Our Mission Statement:

To develop a Center of Excellence for cardiovascular and thoracic diseases at Downstate, where patients can come 24 hours a day for comprehensive cardiac and thoracic care. This mission will be accomplished through the pursuit of excellence in clinical services, education/training, and research.

About Us

The Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery offers diverse cardiothoracic surgical services
in addition to the traditional Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.  These include:


»  Off-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
»  Heart Valve Replacement Surgery
»  Mitral Valve Repair
»  Endovascular Stent-graft for Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm
»  Surgical Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation
»  "Limited Access" Valve Surgery (Thoracoscopic and Robotic)
»  Anti-Reflex Surgery for Gastro-Esophageal reflux Disease (GERD) Anti-Reflex Surgery for Gastro-esophageal reflux disease - Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at  SUNY Downstate Medical Center
»  Lung Cancer and Treatment Options
»  Transmyocardial Revascularization Transmyocardial Revascularization
»  Ventricular Remodeling Surgery and Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Program