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Best Cardiothoracic Surgeons in Oakland

Written by Andrew Le, MD

Updated September 19, 2024

Introduction to Cardiothoracic Medicine in Oakland

Overview of Cardiothoracic Medicine

Cardiothoracic medicine is a specialized field that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the heart, lungs, and chest. This medical specialty combines aspects of cardiology and thoracic surgery, addressing a wide range of complex conditions.

Cardiothoracic specialists treat various conditions, including coronary artery disease, heart valve disorders, lung cancer, and chest wall abnormalities. Their expertise is essential for managing both acute and chronic cardiovascular and respiratory issues.

Importance of Cardiothoracic Medicine in Oakland

Oakland, like many urban areas, faces significant challenges related to cardiovascular and respiratory health. The presence of skilled cardiothoracic specialists is important for addressing these health concerns and improving overall community well-being.

Access to high-quality cardiothoracic care can significantly impact public health outcomes and enhance the quality of life for Oakland residents. Early intervention and advanced treatment options provided by these specialists can lead to better prognoses and reduced healthcare costs in the long term.


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List of Cardiothoracic Surgeons in Oakland

AH

Dr. Alden Harken

5.0

Oakland, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(510) 437-4091

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

Case Western Reserve University (Medical School, 1967)

English

Highland Hospital

General Surgery

Cardiothoracic Surgery

SJ

Dr. Simon Ashiku Jr

5.0

Oakland, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(510) 752-6405

HARVARD Medical School (Medical School, 1992)

English

Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center

Cardiothoracic Surgery

RS

Dr. Russell Stanten

5.0

Oakland, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English, Cantonese

Phone

(510) 465-6600

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

University of California Davis Medical Center (Residency Hospital, 1991)

Brigham and Womens Hospital (Fellowship Hospital, 1991)

University of California Davis Medical Center (Internship Hospital, 1986)

Baylor College of Medicine (Medical School, 1985)

English

Cantonese

Alta Bates Summit Medical Center

Cardiothoracic Surgery

VM

Dr. Vicken Melikian

5.0

Oakland, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine (Medical School, 1985)

English

Cardiothoracic Surgery

JV

Dr. Jeffrey Velotta

5.0

Oakland, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(510) 752-6405

American Board of Surgery

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences (Medical School, 2005)

English

Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center

General Surgery

Cardiothoracic Surgery

PK

Dr. Peter Kouretas

5.0

Oakland, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(415) 476-3535

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

Georgetown University School of Dentistry (Medical School, 1992)

English

UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland

Congenital Cardiac Surgery

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Dr. Paul Lapunzina

Dr. Paul Lapunzina

5.0

Oakland, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

New York University Grossman School of Medicine (Medical School, 1992)

English

Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center

Cardiothoracic Surgery

KF

Dr. Keith Flachsbart

5.0

Oakland, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(415) 833-2000

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT KEARNEY (Medical School, 1971)

English

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Dr. Mario Pompili

Dr. Mario Pompili

5.0

Oakland, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English, Italian

Phone

(408) 851-3858

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

UNIVERSITY OF ROMA-LA SAPIENZA / FACULTY OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY (Medical School, 1983)

English

Italian

Kaiser Permanente Redwood City Medical Center

Cardiothoracic Surgery

NB

Dr. Nora Burgess

5.0

Oakland, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(415) 833-2000

Brown University (Medical School, 1977)

English

Cardiothoracic Surgery

DD

Dr. Dennis Durzinsky

5.0

Oakland, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(510) 752-1000

American Board of Surgery

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

SOUTH BAYLO UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF ORIENTAL MEDICINE AT LOS ANGELES (Medical School, 1982)

English

Critical Care Surgery

General Surgery

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Dr. Junaid Khan

Dr. Junaid Khan

4.9

Oakland, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English, Hindi, Urdu

Phone

(510) 465-6652

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

University of California-San Francisco (Fellowship Hospital)

University of California-San Francisco (Residency Hospital, 1994)

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES / CENTER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES (Medical School, 1989)

English

Hindi

Urdu

Alta Bates Summit Medical Center

Cardiothoracic Surgery

General Surgery

BC

Dr. Brian Cain

4.0

Oakland, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(415) 833-3800

American Board of Surgery

University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine (Medical School, 1993)

English

Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center

General Surgery

Cardiothoracic Surgery

AM

Dr. Alexander Moskovitz

3.9

Oakland, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(408) 851-1000

American Board of Surgery

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

University of California at San Diego (Medical School, 1996)

English

Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center

General Surgery

Cardiothoracic Surgery

DP

Dr. Daniel Pellegrini

3.0

Oakland, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

Thomas Jefferson University (Medical School, 1990)

English

Kaiser Permanente San Leandro Medical Center

Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center

Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Dr. Barry Sheppard

Dr. Barry Sheppard

2.6

Oakland, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(209) 564-5000

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

Harbor-Ucla Research Fellow - Ct Surgery (Fellowship Hospital)

Los Angeles County Harbor - UCLA Medical Center (Residency Hospital, 1994)

Los Angeles County Harbor - UCLA Medical Center|UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS MEDICAL CENTER (Residency Hospital, 1994)

Los Angeles County Harbor - UCLA Medical Center (Internship Hospital, 1988)

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT AIKEN (Medical School, 1987)

English

Mercy Medical Center Merced

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Surgical Oncology

General Surgery

SG

Dr. Steven Granelli

1.0

Oakland, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(510) 752-1000

UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX / NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CAMPUS (Medical School, 1978)

English

General Surgery

Cardiothoracic Surgery

MJ

Dr. Mervin O'Neil Jr

N/A

Oakland, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(916) 973-5000

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES / CENTER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES (Medical School, 1970)

English

Cardiothoracic Surgery

PS

Dr. Paul Smith

N/A

Oakland, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(510) 752-1000

MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE (Medical School, 1965)

English

General Surgery

Cardiothoracic Surgery

GC

Dr. Giye Choe

N/A

Oakland, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(510) 752-1000

American Board of Surgery

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

KOREA UNIVERSITY / COLLEGE OF MEDICINE (Medical School, 2008)

English

Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center

General Surgery

Cardiothoracic Surgery

RR

Dr. Richard Richter

N/A

Oakland, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO HOSPITAL / ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY (Medical School, 1978)

English

Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center

Cardiothoracic Surgery

AP

Dr. Ashish Patel

N/A

Oakland, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(510) 752-1000

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

yale University (Medical School, 2000)

English

Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center

Cardiothoracic Surgery

GS

Dr. George Smith

N/A

Oakland, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences (Medical School, 1980)

English

General Surgery

Cardiothoracic Surgery

KU

Dr. Kanti Uppal

N/A

Oakland, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(209) 735-7739

American Board of Surgery

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

University of Chicago (Medical School, 1995)

English

Kaiser Permanente Manteca Medical Center

General Surgery

Cardiothoracic Surgery

DA

Dr. David Alyono

N/A

Oakland, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English, Mandarin, Minnan

Phone

(510) 752-1000

Duke University (Medical School, 1978)

English

Mandarin

Minnan

Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center

Cardiothoracic Surgery

DG

Dr. Douglas Grey

N/A

Oakland, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

University of California at Berkeley (Medical School, 1975)

English

Vascular Surgery

Cardiothoracic Surgery

HM

Dr. Hugh Wallace Mason

N/A

Oakland, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(408) 851-3780

University of Texas at Dallas (Medical School, 1969)

English

Cardiothoracic Surgery

AR

Dr. Anthony Rayner

N/A

Oakland, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(916) 688-2000

Stanford University (Medical School, 1975)

English

General Surgery

Cardiothoracic Surgery

NE

Dr. Nassrene Elmadhun

N/A

Oakland, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(510) 752-1000

American Board of Surgery

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT DENVER (Medical School, 2009)

English

Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center

General Surgery

Cardiothoracic Surgery

RB

Dr. Richard Bloom

N/A

Oakland, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(408) 851-1000

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

HARVARD Medical School (Medical School, 1980)

English

Cardiothoracic Surgery

JJ

Dr. John Jones

N/A

Oakland, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(510) 752-1000

Loma Linda University (Medical School, 1969)

English

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Choosing a Cardiothoracic Medicine Specialist in Oakland

Understanding Cardiothoracic Medicine

Definition and scope of cardiothoracic medicine

  • Focuses on diseases of the heart, lungs, and chest
  • Encompasses both surgical and non-surgical treatments

Importance in Oakland's healthcare landscape

  • Prevalence of heart and lung diseases in urban areas
  • Advanced medical facilities in Oakland specializing in cardiothoracic care

Factors to Consider When Selecting a Specialist

Qualifications and Certifications

  • Board certification in Cardiothoracic Surgery
  • Additional certifications in related specialties

Experience and Expertise

  • Years of practice in cardiothoracic medicine
  • Subspecialties within cardiothoracic medicine

Patient Reviews and Ratings

  • Overall star rating on platforms like Healthgrades
  • Number of patient reviews

Hospital Affiliations

  • Quality of affiliated hospitals in Oakland
  • Access to advanced medical facilities

Navigating the Selection Process

Researching potential specialists

  • Utilizing online resources like Healthgrades
  • Checking professional medical associations

Consulting with primary care physicians

  • Seeking referrals from trusted healthcare providers
  • Discussing your specific health needs

Scheduling initial consultations

  • Preparing questions for potential specialists
  • Assessing communication style and patient approach

Choosing a Cardiothoracic Medicine Specialist in Oakland

Understanding Cardiothoracic Medicine

Definition and scope of cardiothoracic medicine

  • Focuses on diseases of the heart, lungs, and chest
  • Encompasses both medical and surgical treatments

Importance in healthcare

  • Addresses critical organs essential for life
  • Manages complex conditions requiring specialized care

The Cardiothoracic Specialist Selection Process in Oakland

Researching potential providers

  • Utilize online resources and databases
  • Consider hospital affiliations and locations

Evaluating qualifications and experience

  • Review educational background and certifications
  • Assess years of practice and areas of expertise

Considering patient reviews and ratings

  • Examine overall star ratings and number of reviews
  • Read patient testimonials for insights into care quality

Key Factors in Choosing a Cardiothoracic Specialist

Board certifications

  • Look for American Board of Thoracic Surgery certification
  • Consider additional relevant certifications

Subspecialties and areas of focus

  • Identify specialists with expertise in your specific condition
  • Consider doctors with multiple relevant specialties

Hospital affiliations

  • Evaluate the reputation of affiliated hospitals
  • Consider proximity and accessibility of facilities

Language capabilities

  • Ensure effective communication with your doctor
  • Consider specialists who speak your preferred language

Choosing a Cardiothoracic Medicine Specialist in Oakland

Understanding Cardiothoracic Medicine

Definition and scope of cardiothoracic medicine

  • Focuses on diseases of the heart, lungs, and chest
  • Combines aspects of cardiology and thoracic surgery

Importance in treating complex cardiovascular and respiratory conditions

  • Addresses life-threatening heart and lung diseases
  • Utilizes advanced surgical techniques and medical management

Factors to Consider When Selecting a Specialist

Qualifications and Certifications

  • Board certification in Cardiothoracic Surgery
  • Additional subspecialty certifications

Experience and Expertise

  • Years of practice in cardiothoracic medicine
  • Specific areas of specialization within the field

Patient Reviews and Ratings

  • Overall star ratings from patient feedback
  • Number of reviews indicating reliability of ratings

Hospital Affiliations

  • Quality of affiliated healthcare facilities
  • Access to advanced medical technologies and support services

Overview of Cardiothoracic Medicine in Oakland

Presence of renowned medical centers

  • Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center
  • Alta Bates Summit Medical Center

Diverse range of specialists available

  • Mix of experienced and younger practitioners
  • Various subspecialties represented