Welcome to Cardiothoracic Surgery

The VCU Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery encompasses several specialty areas, including heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, aortic surgery, heart transplant, minimally invasive surgery, general thoracic surgery and surgery for congenital heart disease.

We have long been on the forefront of the evolution of cardiac surgery. In 1968, our transplant team performed its first heart transplant procedure. Our distinguished transplant program is the longest running on the East Coast and the second oldest in the United States. We continue to pioneer improvements in mechanical assist devices and valve surgery.

Visit patient site

Message From the Chair

[VCUSOM Message from the Dean] - chair msg

Message From the Chair

"Our team appreciates the trust and confidence you place in us — as clinicians, as researchers, and as educators of the next generation of cardiothoracic surgeons. We are committed to delivering the highest level of care for our patients, today and tomorrow."

Mohammed Quader, MD
Richard R. Lower, MD Endowed Professor in Cardiovascular Surgery
Interim Chair, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Surgical Director for Heart Transplantation, VCU Health

VCU Health Pauley Heart Center

Research

Our goal is to develop evidence-based clinical and basic science research programs supported through extramural funding that enhance our ability to care for patients with cardiovascular and thoracic diseases.

Thoracic Surgery Fellowship

Our Thoracic Surgery Residency Program provides extensive clinical experience in the evaluation and management of adult and pediatric cardiothoracic conditions.

Thoracic Surgery Fellowship

Division Faculty

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Anwar S. Abd-Elfattah, MS, PhD
Arturo Cardounel, MD
Anthony D. Cassano, MD, MSHA
Josue Chery, MD
Walker Julliard, MD
Vigneshwar Kasirajan, MD, FACS
Patricia Nicolato, DO
Carlos A. Puig, MD
Mohammed A. Quader, MD
Rachit D. Shah, MD
Thomas Yeh, MD, PhD

Advanced Practice Providers

Andrew L Yale, PA
Courtney Drissi, NP
Daniel C Raible, PA
David Starling, NP
Erin MacMillan, PA
Hailey Spinapont, PA
Janaya Ogunware, NP
Jennifer Cox, NP
Jessica M Lassen, PA
Jessica Smyth, PA
Pedro Jovel, PA
Lenore Roach, NP
Lisa L Capps, NP
Morgan Childress, NP
Paula Talley-Pugh, NP
Katherine Rodman, NP
Shanon Beam, NP

Contact Us

Mohammed Quader, MD
Interim Chair, Cardiothoracic Surgery
mohammed.quader@vcuhealth.org

Angel Medina, RN
Associate Administrator
angel.medina@vcuhealth.org 
(804) 628-0741

Christine Mahnken
Division Supervisor
christine.mahnken@vcuhealth.org
(804) 828-4620

Office Location
West Hospital
Seventh Floor, South Wing

Mailing Address 
Box 980068
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0068

Phone: (804) 828-4620
Fax: (804) 628-0537