School of Medicine


Showing 1-20 of 34 Results

  • Edward Bender

    Edward Bender

    Clinical Professor, Cardiothoracic Surgery

    BioDr. Edward Bender specializes in the treatment of adult cardiac abnormalities, including ischemic heart disease, structural and valvular disease, and arrhythmias. Additionally, he has an interest and expertise in General Thoracic and Vascular surgery. Dr. Bender currently works with organizations within the medical community to develop software to aid in the teaching and practice of medicine.

  • Thomas Burdon

    Thomas Burdon

    Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery (Adult Cardiac Surgery)

    Current Research and Scholarly InterestsNew technologies in the area of catheters, clamps, and, visualization devices for aid in cardiac surgery; distribution of, cardioplegia, both anterograde and retrograde as determined by, techniques in technetium pyro-phosphate scans; glucose insulin, potassium as an adjunct in cardiac surgery.

  • Elan Chanel Burton, MD, MHA

    Elan Chanel Burton, MD, MHA

    Clinical Associate Professor, Cardiothoracic Surgery

    BioDr. Burton is a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon. She is also a clinical associate professor in the Stanford University School of Medicine Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Section Chief for Stanford Medicine Affiliates.

    She offers her patients exceptional expertise in advanced cardiothoracic surgical techniques. For each patient, she develops a customized, comprehensive, and compassionate care plan.

    Dr. Burton has completed specialized training in robotic technique for minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB). This procedure enables surgical access to the heart with a smaller incision than other coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedures.

    In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Burton has conducted research on health disparities in cardiovascular disease, diversity in radiology and molecular imaging, and other topics. She received an innovation research grant from the National Science Foundation for her work on an app for emotional support during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Dr. Burton has made presentations to her peers as a guest lecturer on subjects including coronary artery disease, primary cardiac tumors, and minimally invasive cardiac surgery. In addition, she has made presentations to the Western Thoracic Surgical Association, American Heart Association, International Conference on Clinical Ethics and Consultation, and other organizations.

    Dr. Burton has published articles on advanced surgical techniques as well as issues such as balancing work and family during the COVID-19 pandemic, plus health disparities, biases in healthcare, and social determinants of health. Her work has appeared in the JAMA Network Open, Journal of Cardiac Surgery, JTCVS Techniques, International Social Work, and elsewhere.

    Dr. Burton has earned honors including the Coleman Connolly Award in Thoracic Surgery, which recognizes the exemplary efforts of thoracic surgery residents. She also won the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons Resident Achievement Award and the Dr. Albert G. Marrangoni Research Award.

    She is a member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, American College of Cardiology, American College of Physicians–American Society of Internal Medicine, Lillehei Surgical Society, Women in Thoracic Surgery, Western Thoracic Surgical Association, American Society of Professionals in Patient Safety, Women Health Care Executives, Association of Women Surgeons, Society of Black Academic Surgeons, and American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management.

    She has volunteered her time and expertise as a high school medical club faculty mentor, as an elementary school community health nutrition interventionist, and with the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society.

  • Maria Elizabeth Currie, MD, PhD

    Maria Elizabeth Currie, MD, PhD

    Clinical Assistant Professor, Cardiothoracic Surgery

    BioDr. Currie is a board-certified, fellowship-trained cardiothoracic surgeon. She is also a clinical assistant professor at Stanford University School of Medicine. With subspecialty training in heart failure, Dr. Currie treats all forms of cardiomyopathy, ischemic heart disease, and valvular heart disease. She performs heart transplant, lung transplant, and combined heart-lung transplant procedures as part of a multidisciplinary team. She excels at valve surgery and the implantation of mechanical circulatory support systems.

    Dr. Currie welcomes referrals from cardiologists and primary care physicians as early as possible when cardiovascular disease is suspected. Understanding that early intervention can prevent later complications, she invites communication about screening, diagnostics, and treatment strategies.

    For each patient, Dr. Currie’s goal is to achieve the best possible outcome using the most advanced minimally invasive cardiac care techniques and technology available. Combined with technical expertise and a focus on excellent clinical outcomes, Dr. Currie delivers empathetic, thoughtful patient care. She ensures that patients are well informed about what they can expect both before and after their surgical procedure.

    Dr. Currie is passionate about improving the safety of cardiac surgery. Her research includes translational studies on new ways to visualize anatomic structures that are difficult to see during minimally invasive surgery. One published study investigated the use of augmented reality (AR) guided by transesophageal echocardiography in minimally invasive mitral valve repair. Her work has appeared in The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, The International Journal of Medical Robotics and Computer Assisted Surgery, Transplant Immunology, and other peer reviewed publications.

    Dr. Currie’s interest in technological advances is rooted in her commitment to the evolution of technology and technique in the fast-changing, relatively young field of cardiac surgery. Also driving her interest is her PhD background in biomedical engineering. She has made presentations on the use of AR systems, 3D visualization technology, and robotics-assisted surgical procedures at the American Association for Thoracic Surgery Annual Meeting, International Society for Minimally Invasive Surgery Annual Scientific Meeting, and other conferences.

    Dr. Currie has won numerous awards for her research achievements and scholarship. She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada. She is also a member of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation, the International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery, Women in Thoracic Surgery, and the Association of Women Surgeons. With its long legacy of leadership in cardiac surgery and research, Dr. Currie feels Stanford Health Care enables her to pursue her research interests and offers her patients access to the latest innovations, along with expertise across specialties including engineering and statistics.

  • James Fann

    James Fann

    Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery (Adult Cardiac Surgery) at the Stanford University Medical Center, Emeritus

    Current Research and Scholarly InterestsCardiac surgery education and simulation-based learning, coronary artery bypass surgery, cardiac valve disease

  • Michael Fischbein

    Michael Fischbein

    Thelma and Henry Doelger Professor of Cardiovascular Surgery

    Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMolecular and genetic mechanisms of aortic aneurysm/dissection development. Molecular mechanisms of aneurysm formation in Marfan Syndrome. Clinical research interests include thoracic aortic diseases (aneurysms, dissections).

  • Rabin Gerrah

    Rabin Gerrah

    Clinical Assistant Professor, Cardiothoracic Surgery

    BioDr. Rabin Gerrah is a cardiothoracic surgeon and specializes in surgical treatment of heart diseases such as ischemic, valvular, structural and congenital heart diseases. He has been trained at Harvard University and Columbia University Hospitals. Dr. Gerrah has been involved in multiple medical research projects and has patented and developed innovative surgical devices and technologies.

  • Brandon Alan Guenthart

    Brandon Alan Guenthart

    Clinical Assistant Professor, Cardiothoracic Surgery

    BioDr. Guenthart is a board-certified, fellowship-trained cardiothoracic surgeon. He is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery.

    He specializes in providing leading-edge surgical treatment for people with cancer and end-stage heart and lung disease. He performs the full range of surgical procedures ranging from minimally invasive thoracic surgery to heart and lung transplantation. Dr. Guenthart practices all aspects of thoracic surgery, including procedures for benign and malignant conditions of the airway, lung, mediastinum, esophagus, and foregut. He has a particular interest in minimally invasive techniques and has extensive experience in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical (VATS), laparoscopic, robotic, endoscopic, and bronchoscopic approaches.

    Dr. Guenthart earned his medical degree at Temple University School of Medicine. He completed general surgery residency at Cornell and a post-doctoral research fellowship in tissue bioengineering at Columbia University in the Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering. He then completed cardiothoracic surgery fellowship and advanced fellowship training in cardiothoracic transplantation and mechanical circulatory support at Stanford University.

    Dr. Guenthart has conducted research supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, and Columbia University. Dr. Guenthart has a particular interest in end-stage lung disease and his research focuses on lung perfusion and bioengineering strategies to promote lung recovery and regeneration. He has published in peer-reviewed journals such as Nature Medicine, Nature Biomedical Engineering, the Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation. He has made numerous presentations to his peers at national conferences and given invited talks on patient selection, organ allocation, and other aspects of transplantation.

    Dr. Guenthart is a member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, Western Thoracic Surgical Association, Biomedical Engineering Society, American College of Surgeons, Association for Academic Surgery, and Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society.

  • William Hiesinger, MD

    William Hiesinger, MD

    Associate Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery (Adult Cardiac Surgery)

    BioDr. Hiesinger is a board-certified, fellowship-trained specialist in adult cardiac surgery. He is also an assistant professor in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine.

    Dr. Hiesinger’s clinical focus encompasses the full spectrum of cardiothoracic conditions and treatment approaches, such as heart transplantation, mitral and aortic valve repair, surgical treatment for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, coronary artery bypass, and complex thoracic aortic procedures. He serves as Surgical Director of the Stanford Mechanical Circulatory Support Program, where he leads and directs the surgical implantation of ventricular assist devices (VADs) in patients with end-stage heart failure.

    The National Institutes of Health and the Thoracic Surgery Foundation have awarded funds to support Dr. Hiesinger’s research. In the Stanford Cardiothoracic Therapeutics and Surgery Laboratory, Dr. Hiesinger's research spans the disciplines of computer science and cardiovascular biology, and he endeavors to build novel foundational deep learning systems designed to better represent and process high-dimensional inputs and apply these systems towards clinical problems. Additionally, his lab investigates bioengineered devices, tissue engineering, and angiogenic cytokine therapy for the treatment of heart failure.

    He has published extensively and his work has appeared in Nature Communications, Nature Machine Intelligence, the Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, Circulation Heart Failure, the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Journal of Vascular Surgery, and elsewhere.

    He teaches courses on cardiothoracic surgery skills. He also advises surgeons of the future.

    Dr. Hiesinger has won awards for his research and scholarship, including the Surgical Resident of the Year Award, Jonathan E. Rhoads Research Award, Clyde F. Baker Research Prize, and I.S. Ravdin Prize, all from his alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania. He was a finalist for the Vivien Thomas Young Investigator Award from the American Heart Association.

    Dr. Hiesinger is a member of the American Association For Thoracic Surgery and serves on the Cardiac Surgery Biology Club. He is also a member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and serves on the Workforce on Surgical Treatment of End-Stage Cardiopulmonary Disease national committee as well as the American Heart Association Council for Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery.

  • Anson Lee

    Anson Lee

    Assistant Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery (Adult Cardiac Surgery)

    BioDr. Anson Lee specializes in the surgical treatment of all heart diseases, including ischemic heart disease, structural heart disease, aortic disease, and arrhythmias. He has practiced cardiothoracic surgery at Stanford since 2015. Dr. Lee has a special interest in the surgical treatment of abnormal heart rhythms and minimally invasive techniques to treat heart disease.

  • Marc Leon MD, PhD (aka Hongliang Liang)

    Marc Leon MD, PhD (aka Hongliang Liang)

    Clinical Assistant Professor, Cardiothoracic Surgery

    BioMarc Leon (aka Hongliang Liang) M.D. & Ph.D. previously worked as Chief Surgeon, Associate Professor of Cardiovascular Surgery, and Director of the Division of Coronary Artery Surgery at Xijing Hospital in Xi'an, China. He currently serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Stanford Hospital and is a surgeon member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS). Dr. Leon's clinical and research specialties involve the surgical management of cardiopulmonary failure, heart valve disease, and ischemic heart disease, as well as stem cell therapy for myocardial infarction.

  • Yihan Lin, MD MPH

    Yihan Lin, MD MPH

    Clinical Assistant Professor, Cardiothoracic Surgery

    BioDr. Lin is a cardiothoracic surgeon and clinical assistant professor in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine. She provides the complete spectrum of surgical care for cardiac conditions, including ischemic heart disease, structural heart disease, aortic disease, and arrhythmias.

    Dr. Lin's research is focused on surgical education and global disparities in surgical care. She obtained her Master of Public Health from the Harvard School of Public Health. Her research aims to decrease barriers and disparities in surgical care, including in low and middle income settings.