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.
Surgery Education
Our Thoracic Residency Program provides extensive clinical experience in the evaluation and management of adult and pediatric cardiothoracic conditions.
Thoracic Surgery ResidencyResearch
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.
Introducing New Faculty
Join us as we welcome our newest team members:
Katherine Klein, MD, MS
Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery
Dr. Klein received her master's and medical degrees from the University of Toledo where she also completed her general surgery residency. She then joined the University of Michigan where she completed her fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery. Dr. Klein's research interests include advances in heart transplantation, proximal tubular injury and patients with renal artery stenosis, and RV failure associated with LVAD implantation.
10/12/20
Walker Julliard, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery
Dr. Julliard received his medical degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. He went on to complete his residency at University of Wisconsin and later his fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at UVA. His areas of interest include the surgical treatment of non-cardiac diseases of the chest which includes all diseases of the lungs, the chest wall, the airways, and the esophagus. His research interests include how the immune system adapts based on environmental factors with the ultimate goal of identifying ways to alter the adaptive immune system to better accept lung transplants while still fighting against lung cancers.
Arturo Cardounel, MD, PhD
As
sistant Professor of Surgery
Dr. Cardounel joins us from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center where he completed his cardiothoracic surgery residency. Prior to joining University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Cardounel completed his PhD here at VCU and his MD at the Ohio State University. He is currently pursing basic cardiovascular research that aligns with his clinical interest in heart failure. In this regard, he is building on his expertise in redox signaling to identify novel molecular pathways involved in the pathophysiology of right ventricular dysfunction.
From the Chair
![[VCUSOM Message from the Dean] - chair msg](/media/department-of-surgery/medalionb.jpeg)
Meet our Team
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Anwar S. Abd-Elfattah, MS, PhD
Arturo Cardounel, MD
Anthony D. Cassano, MD, MSHA
Robert T. Ferguson, MD
Walker Julliard, MD
Vigneshwar Kasirajan, MD, FACS
Katherine Klein, MD
Benjamin Medalion, MD
Patricia Nicolato, DO
Mohammed A. Quader, MD
Rachit D. Shah, MD
Thomas Yeh, MD, PhD
Advanced Practice Providers
Anastasia Brusilovsky, NP
Andrew L Yale, PA
Courtney Drissi, NP
Daniel C Raible, PA
Erin MacMillan, PA
Janaya Ogunware, NP
Jennifer Cox, NP
Jessica M Lassen, PA
Pedro Jovel, PA
Lenore Roach, NP
Lisa L Capps, NP
Melissa Scott-Doney, NP
Morgan Childress, NP
Nikki Waters, NP
Paula Talley-Pugh, NP
Sean Plant, NP
Jessica Norman, NP
Katherine Rodman, NP
Contact Us
Benjamin Medalion, M.D.
Chair, Cardiothoracic Surgery
benjamin.medalion@vcuhealth.org
Angel Medina, RN
Associate Administrator
angel.medina@vcuhealth.org
(804) 628-0741
Demetria Patterson, MBA
Division Supervisor
demetria.patterson@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