Best Cardiothoracic Surgeons in Modesto

Cardiothoracic Medicine in Modesto: An Introduction

Understanding Cardiothoracic Medicine

Cardiothoracic medicine is a specialized field focusing on the heart, lungs, and chest.

It encompasses a range of procedures including heart valve repairs, coronary artery bypass grafting, and lung cancer surgeries.

Conditions like heart disease, arrhythmias, and thoracic tumors fall under this specialty.

The Importance of Choosing the Right Surgeon

Selecting an appropriate cardiothoracic surgeon can significantly influence the success of your treatment.

Factors such as the surgeon's experience, qualifications, and patient outcomes should be considered.

In Modesto, there are several board-certified cardiothoracic surgeons with varying levels of experience and specializations.

Cardiothoracic Care in Modesto

Modesto offers a selection of qualified cardiothoracic surgeons, including Dr. James Macmillan, Dr. Zachary Brewer, and Dr. Lit Fung.

Major hospitals in the area include Memorial Medical Center and Doctors Medical Center Modesto, both of which have cardiothoracic surgery departments.

These facilities provide advanced cardiac and thoracic care to residents of Modesto and surrounding areas.

Overview of Cardiothoracic Surgeon Selection in Modesto

Factors to consider when choosing a surgeon

Board certifications

• American Board of Thoracic Surgery certification
• Additional certifications (e.g., American Board of Surgery)

Education and training

• Medical school background
• Residency and fellowship experiences
• Specialized training in cardiothoracic surgery

Hospital affiliations

• Memorial Medical Center
• Doctors Medical Center Modesto
• Other local hospital connections

Patient reviews and ratings

• Star ratings on platforms like Healthgrades
• Number of patient reviews
• Consistency of positive feedback

Available cardiothoracic surgeons in Modesto

Overview of local specialists

• Dr. James Macmillan
• Dr. Zachary Brewer
• Dr. Lit Fung
• Other practicing cardiothoracic surgeons

Comparison of experience and specializations

• Years in practice
• Subspecialties within cardiothoracic surgery
• Notable achievements or recognitions

Resources for researching doctors

Online platforms

• Healthgrades profiles and ratings
• Other medical review websites

Local medical associations

• California Medical Association
• Stanislaus Medical Society

Referrals and recommendations

• Primary care physician referrals
• Patient testimonials and word-of-mouth

Top-Ranked Cardiothoracic Surgeons in Modesto

Dr. James Macmillan

Qualifications and Experience

• Board-certified in Surgery and Thoracic Surgery
• Specializes in Cardiovascular Surgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery, and General Surgery
• Educated at prestigious institutions including Alameda Co Medical Center and Denver Health Medical Center

Patient Satisfaction

• Highest star rating among Modesto cardiothoracic surgeons (4.8 out of 5)
• 11 patient reviews
• Bilingual in English and Spanish, enhancing patient communication

Practice Information

• Affiliated with Memorial Medical Center and Doctors Medical Center Modesto
• Contact number: (209) 575-5836

Dr. Zachary Brewer

Qualifications and Experience

• Board-certified in Thoracic Surgery
• Completed integrated cardiothoracic surgery residency at Stanford University Medical Center
• Graduated from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

Patient Satisfaction

• 3.7 star rating based on 6 patient reviews
• Relatively new to practice, bringing fresh knowledge and techniques

Practice Information

• Affiliated with Mercy General Hospital and Doctors Medical Center Modesto
• Contact number: (916) 306-7951

Dr. Lit Fung

Qualifications and Experience

• Board-certified in Thoracic Surgery
• Extensive education including UCLA and University of Michigan
• Completed fellowship at USC University Hospital

Patient Satisfaction

• 3.3 star rating based on 8 patient reviews
• Experienced surgeon with a long-standing practice

Practice Information

• Affiliated with Memorial Medical Center and Doctors Medical Center Modesto
• Contact number: (209) 572-4222

Additional Cardiothoracic Specialists

Dr. Stephen Noble

• Board-certified in Thoracic Surgery
• 2.6 star rating based on 5 patient reviews
• Contact number: (757) 842-4499

Dr. Rajaratnam Skantharaja

• Board-certified in Thoracic Surgery
• Affiliated with Memorial Medical Center
• Contact number: (209) 572-4222

Ramella Barjesteh, NP

• Nurse Practitioner specializing in Critical Care Medicine and Cardiothoracic Surgery
• Multilingual: English, Assyrian, and Persian
• Affiliated with Memorial Medical Center and California Pacific Medical Center

Additional Resources for Finding the Right Cardiothoracic Surgeon

Tips for preparing for your consultation

Questions to ask potential surgeons

• Inquire about their experience with specific procedures
• Ask about their success rates and complication rates
• Discuss post-operative care and recovery expectations

Medical history and documentation to bring

• Compile a list of current medications and allergies
• Gather relevant medical records and test results
• Prepare a list of symptoms and concerns

Understanding insurance coverage and hospital networks

Importance of checking in-network providers

• Review the JSON data for hospital affiliations
• Contact insurance provider to confirm network status
• Consider potential out-of-pocket costs for out-of-network care

Potential costs and financial considerations

• Discuss estimated procedure costs with healthcare providers
• Inquire about payment plans or financial assistance options
• Consider travel costs if seeking care outside of Modesto

Seeking second opinions

Benefits of consulting multiple specialists

• Gain different perspectives on treatment options
• Increase confidence in diagnosis and treatment plan
• Potentially discover alternative approaches

How to approach getting a second opinion

• Request referrals from primary care physician
• Utilize the provided JSON data to identify other specialists in Modesto
• Be transparent with all doctors about seeking multiple opinions