Expert Heart Surgery That's Close to Home
The Cardiothoracic Surgery Division at Westchester Medical Center, a part of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network Heart and Vascular Institute, provides comprehensive surgical intervention for all diseases of the heart and lungs, as well as academic excellence in teaching and training medical students from the New York Medical College.
Cardiothoracic Surgery Procedures
The cardiothoracic surgeons at Westchester Medical Center perform a wide range of procedures to improve heart and lung functioning in chronic and critically ill patients. Many of our surgeries are completed with minimally invasive robot-assisted surgical techniques, which result in less pain and scarring, and faster recovery.
Working closely with the Cardiology Department, we assess each patient's individual needs to determine the best and most comprehensive course of treatment. Patients for whom medical management is not effective may benefit from our knowledge and use of advanced surgical techniques available for improving cardiac and pulmonary functioning. We provide consistently high-quality care and perform numerous procedures every year, including life-saving pediatric surgeries.
Our full range of cardiothoracic surgery services includes:
Internationally Recognized Experts in Cardiothoracic Surgery
Our surgeons bring decades of experience in cardiac surgery as they contribute to building the region's most advanced cardiothoracic surgical care program. Our award-winning* board-certified heart surgeons are internationally recognized experts, as they frequently present their research and surgical techniques throughout the world. They are also leaders of international professional organizations that focus on patient care, safety and quality in cardiac surgery.
Caring for the Highest Risk Patients
We are proud to be ranked one of the top 50 cardiac surgery programs in the world, in terms of volume. We frequently work with the highest risk patients, intent on producing the best outcomes possible for each patient. Surgical care is always provided by attending physicians – never residents.
Our Heart Transplantation program has completed more than 400 heart transplant procedures, earning recognition as one of the best programs of its kind in the nation. Whatever your needs may be, our expert cardiothoracic surgery team is here to help you live your healthiest life.
A Minimally Invasive Approach to Cardiac Care
Our thoracic and cardiac surgeons have a wide range of experience and technical knowledge for delivering the appropriate care a patient needs. In many cases, patients may benefit from a minimally invasive robotic surgical technique, as opposed to open heart surgery. Transthoracic aortic valve replacement (TAVR), for example, is one such procedure. More than 700 TAVR procedures have been performed by surgeons at WMCHealth Heart and Vascular Institute to treat severe aortic stenosis, a condition that until recently could only be treated via open heart surgery. For more complex procedures, Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, David Spielvogel, MD, has performed more than 1,000 bioprosthetic aortic valve replacements. Our valve team is known for safely performing valve procedures on the highest risk and most complicated patients. Heart and Vascular Institute surgeons and cardiologists take deep pride in their collaborative approach to valve surgery.
*Healthgrades Cardiac Surgery Excellence Award (2023); Castle Connolly America’s Top Doctors (2018, 2017, 2014, 2013); NYTopDocs (2018); Westchester Magazine Top Docs (2019, 2018, 2013, 2012)
Our Cardiothoracic Surgeons In Their Own Words
“The heart is a dynamic, vital structure. You can make an intervention that corrects it in one day. And from that day on you’ve changed the course of a patient’s life.” – Steven Lansman, MD, PhD, Director, Cardiothoracic Surgery
“You see someone that comes in quite ill, you do corrective surgery, and the patient can be restored to full activity and vitality.” – David Spielvogel, MD, Chief, Cardiothoracic Surgery
Our Location and Contact
Accessing the Cardiothoracic Surgery Division at Westchester Medical Center is convenient. Our close proximity to New York City means patients don’t have to travel outside of the region for expert care. Transportation and parking is also easy. Valet service is available at the Ambulatory Care Pavilion.
Westchester Medical Center
Ambulatory Care Pavilion
100 Woods Road
Valhalla, NY 10595
Phone: 914.493.8793
Fax: 914.493.1610
Our Providers
The Cardiothoracic Surgery Division at Westchester Medical Center is ranked among the top 15 percent of cardiothoracic programs in the United States. We offer our patients access to the latest surgical techniques, and our team has expertise across the spectrum of cardiothoracic procedures. From coronary bypass grafting (CABG) to minimally invasive mitral valve repairs to repair of complex thoracic aortic aneurysms, our surgeons rely on their extensive experience to deliver outstanding results. Meet the doctors who deliver advanced care, close to home.
- Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgery
- General Surgery
Ramin Malekan, MD
Associate Chief, Cardiothoracic Surgery
Associate Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgery
- General Surgery
Suguru Ohira, MD
Surgical Director, Heart Transplantation and Mechanical Circulatory Support and Director, Thoracic Aortic Research
Associate Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgery
Sameh Said, MB BCh
Chief, Pediatric and Adult Congenital Cardiac Surgery
Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics
New York Medical College
- Surgery, Thoracic
- General Surgery
- Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgery
- General Surgery