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.

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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

Faculty

Anwar S. Abd-Elfattah, MS, PhD

Anwar S. Abd-Elfattah, MS, PhD

Professor

Anwar S. Abd-Elfattah, MS, PhD

Anwar S. Abd-Elfattah, MS, PhD

Professor

Department of Surgery

Phone: (804) 828-4975

Email: anwar.abdelfattah@vcuhealth.org

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Arturo Cardounel, MD

Arturo Cardounel, MD

Assistant Professor

Arturo Cardounel, MD

Arturo Cardounel, MD

Assistant Professor

Department of Surgery

Email: Arturo.Cardounel@vcuhealth.org

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Anthony D. Cassano, MD, MSHA

Anthony D. Cassano, MD, MSHA

Professor

Anthony D. Cassano, MD, MSHA

Anthony D. Cassano, MD, MSHA

Professor

Department of Surgery

Email: anthony.cassano@vcuhealth.org

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Josue "Josh" Chery, MD

Josue "Josh" Chery, MD

Assistant Professor

Josue "Josh" Chery, MD

Josue "Josh" Chery, MD

Assistant Professor

Department of Surgery

Email: Josue.Chery2@vcuhealth.org

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Z. A. Hashmi, MD

Z. A. Hashmi, MD

Assistant Professor

Z. A. Hashmi, MD

Z. A. Hashmi, MD

Assistant Professor

Department of Surgery

Email: zubair.hashmi@vcuhealth.org

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Walker Julliard, MD

Walker Julliard, MD

Assistant Professor

Walker Julliard, MD

Walker Julliard, MD

Assistant Professor

Department of Surgery

Email: Walker.Julliard@vcuhealth.org

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Vigneshwar Kasirajan, MD, FACS

Vigneshwar Kasirajan, MD, FACS

Professor
Department Head

Vigneshwar Kasirajan, MD, FACS

Vigneshwar Kasirajan, MD, FACS

Professor
Department Head

Department of Surgery

Email: vigneshwar.kasirajan@vcuhealth.org

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Patricia Nicolato, D.O.

Patricia Nicolato, D.O.

Assistant Professor

Patricia Nicolato, D.O.

Patricia Nicolato, D.O.

Assistant Professor

Department of Surgery

Email: patricia.nicolato@vcuhealth.org

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Carlos Puig Gilbert, MD

Carlos Puig Gilbert, MD

Assistant Professor

Carlos Puig Gilbert, MD

Carlos Puig Gilbert, MD

Assistant Professor

Department of Surgery

Email: Carlos.PuigGilbert@vcuhealth.org

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Mohammed Quader, MD

Mohammed Quader, MD

Associate Professor

Mohammed Quader, MD

Mohammed Quader, MD

Associate Professor

Department of Surgery

Email: mohammed.quader@vcuhealth.org

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Rachit Shah, MD

Rachit Shah, MD

Associate Professor

Rachit Shah, MD

Rachit Shah, MD

Associate Professor

Department of Surgery

Email: rachit.shah@vcuhealth.org

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Thomas Yeh, MD, PhD

Thomas Yeh, MD, PhD

Professor

Thomas Yeh, MD, PhD

Thomas Yeh, MD, PhD

Professor

Department of Surgery

Phone: (804) 828-0240

Email: thomas.yeh@vcuhealth.org

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Advanced Practice Providers

Andrew L Yale, PA
Carleigh Conroy, NP
Carly Lavallee, 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
John Mannino, NP
Katherine Rodman, NP
Lenore Roach, NP
Lisa L Capps, NP
Morgan Childress, NP
Pedro Jovel, PA
Randa Abouzaki, 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

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