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  • Maria Elizabeth Currie, MD, PhD

    Maria Elizabeth Currie, MD, PhD

    Clinical Assistant Professor, Cardiothoracic Surgery

    BioDr. Maria Currie is a board-certified, fellowship-trained cardiothoracic surgeon and a clinical assistant professor at Stanford University School of Medicine. With subspecialty training in heart failure, she provides expert care for a broad spectrum of cardiovascular conditions, including cardiomyopathy, ischemic heart disease, and valvular heart disease. As part of a multidisciplinary team, she performs heart, lung, and combined heart-lung transplants. She is particularly skilled in valve surgery and the implantation of mechanical circulatory support devices.

    Committed to proactive, patient-centered care, Dr. Currie encourages early referrals from cardiologists and primary care physicians at the first sign of cardiovascular disease. She recognizes that early intervention can significantly improve outcomes and welcomes collaboration around screening, diagnostics, and treatment planning.

    Her approach combines advanced surgical techniques with a strong emphasis on clear communication and compassionate care. Dr. Currie prioritizes patient education, ensuring that individuals understand what to expect before, during, and after surgery. Her goal is to achieve the best possible outcomes using state-of-the-art, minimally invasive cardiac technologies.

    A passionate advocate for improving surgical safety, Dr. Currie leads translational research focused on enhancing intraoperative visualization—particularly during minimally invasive procedures. Her work includes a published study on the use of augmented reality (AR) guided by transesophageal echocardiography to improve mitral valve repair. Her research has appeared in leading journals such as The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, The International Journal of Medical Robotics and Computer Assisted Surgery, and Transplant Immunology.

    Her interest in emerging surgical technologies is deeply rooted in her background in biomedical engineering, having earned a PhD in the field. She regularly presents on the use of AR systems, 3D visualization, and robotics-assisted procedures at national and international conferences, including the American Association for Thoracic Surgery and the International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery.

    Dr. Currie has received numerous awards in recognition of her research and academic excellence. She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada and an active member of professional organizations including The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation, Women in Thoracic Surgery, and the Association of Women Surgeons. She is proud to be part of Stanford Health Care, where she contributes to its long-standing legacy of leadership in cardiac surgery and benefits from cross-disciplinary collaboration with experts in engineering, statistics, and other fields. This environment supports both her research and her mission to provide patients with access to the most advanced, evidence-based care available.