The Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Stanford University Medical Center takes pride in the rich tradition of excellence and pioneering firsts that have made it one of the top cardiac and thoracic programs in the nation. Our long and distinguished legacy of research dates back to the late 1950s — our most notable triumphs being the first adult human heart transplant in the United States, the world's first successful adult human combined heart-lung transplant, the first successful use of a ventricular device as a bridge to transplantation, the first thoracic aortic stent graft, and the development of the first integrated platform for minimally invasive heart surgery.
Our Department is comprised of three divisions:
internationally renowned for surgical leadership and expertise and a record of more than 30,000 cardiac procedures
highly reputed for the management of patients with lung cancer, emphysema, esophageal cancer, and mediastinal diseases
one of the largest specialized pediatric cardiovascular surgery programs in the US, acclaimed for its contributions to improving survival from lethal cardiac malformations
Together, the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery continues to improve patient health
through continual scientific innovation, revolutionary operative care, and exemplary surgical education.
Resident Applicants
Integrated CT Surgical Program
(for Medical Students)
General Thoracic Track
(for Surgery Residents)
Featured News
Dr. Leah Backhus featured in San Jose Mercury News
A report last year from the Association of American Medical Colleges indicated that by 2013, black women 49 and younger made up a greater percentage of the U.S. physician workforce than black men in the same age group.
Dr. Backhus reflects on balancing motherhood and CT Surgery
While the challenges of motherhood are not unique to women CT surgeons, there are many parallels that actually complement these two important roles.
Hanley performs "bloodless" open-heart surgery on smallest infant in North America
Meticulous planning and execution of the surgery, an arterial switch procedure, allowed the medical team to surmount daunting technical challenges of treating a 7-pound open-heart patient without giving her a blood transfusion.