Best Cardiothoracic Surgeons in Providence

Introduction to Cardiothoracic Medicine in Providence

Definition and scope of cardiothoracic medicine

Cardiothoracic medicine is a specialized field that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the heart, lungs, and chest. This medical specialty encompasses a wide range of diseases and disorders, including coronary artery disease, heart valve problems, lung cancer, and chest wall abnormalities.

The complexity of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems requires highly trained specialists to provide optimal care. Cardiothoracic surgeons perform intricate procedures such as coronary artery bypass grafting, heart valve repair or replacement, and lung resections, among others.

The landscape of cardiothoracic medicine in Providence

Providence, Rhode Island, is home to several renowned medical institutions that offer exceptional cardiothoracic care. Based on the provided data, The Miriam Hospital and Rhode Island Hospital stand out as key facilities where top-rated cardiothoracic surgeons practice.

The quality of cardiothoracic care in Providence is evidenced by the presence of highly skilled and well-reviewed specialists. The data reveals that several surgeons in the area have received excellent patient ratings, with some achieving perfect or near-perfect scores. This suggests that patients in Providence have access to top-tier cardiothoracic expertise.

Selecting a Cardiothoracic Specialist in Providence

Factors to consider when choosing a doctor

Board certifications and qualifications

• American Board of Thoracic Surgery certification
• Additional certifications like American Board of Surgery

Experience and expertise

• Years of practice
• Specialized fellowships and training
• Types of procedures performed

Patient reviews and ratings

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

Hospital affiliations

• Connections to reputable institutions like The Miriam Hospital and Rhode Island Hospital
• Access to advanced medical facilities

The role of patient-doctor communication

Importance of language compatibility

• Availability of multilingual doctors (e.g., English, Armenian, Persian, German, Chinese, Arabic)
• Clear and effective communication for better care

Accessibility and availability

• Office locations and proximity
• Ease of scheduling appointments
• Responsiveness to patient inquiries

Top-Ranked Cardiothoracic Surgeons in Providence

Dr. James Fingleton

Qualifications and Ratings

• Perfect 5.0 star rating from 14 reviews
• Board certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery
• Specializes in Cardiothoracic Surgery and General Surgery

Education and Experience

• Residency at Wayne State University and Temple University
• Medical degree from Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine

Practice Information

• Affiliated with The Miriam Hospital and Charlton Memorial Hospital
• Speaks English and Armenian
• Contact: (401) 274-7546

Dr. Afshin Ehsan

Qualifications and Ratings

• Impressive 4.9 star rating from 45 reviews
• Board certified by American Board of Surgery and American Board of Thoracic Surgery
• Specializes in Cardiothoracic Surgery

Education and Experience

• Fellowship at Brigham & Women's Hospital-Harvard Medical School
• Residency at University of California San Diego Medical Center
• Medical degree from University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine

Practice Information

• Affiliated with The Miriam Hospital and Rhode Island Hospital
• Speaks English and Persian
• Contact: (401) 274-7546

Dr. Frank Sellke

Qualifications and Ratings

• Excellent 4.9 star rating from 19 reviews
• Board certified by American Board of Surgery and American Board of Thoracic Surgery
• Specializes in Cardiothoracic Surgery and General Surgery

Education and Experience

• Fellowship in Vascular Biology at University of Iowa
• Medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine

Practice Information

• Affiliated with The Miriam Hospital and Rhode Island Hospital
• Speaks English and German
• Contact: (401) 421-4200

Additional Notable Specialists

Dr. Michael Coady

• 4.4 star rating from 13 reviews
• Board certified by American Board of Thoracic Surgery
• Specializes in General Surgery and Cardiothoracic Surgery

Dr. Abbas Abbas

• 2.8 star rating from 9 reviews
• Board certified by American Board of Thoracic Surgery
• Specializes in Cardiothoracic Surgery and General Surgery

Additional Resources for Finding the Right Cardiothoracic Specialist

Online platforms and directories

Healthgrades and similar websites

• Discuss the benefits of using Healthgrades, as evidenced by the detailed information provided in the JSON data
• Mention other reputable online medical directories

Local medical society resources

• Explain how local medical societies in Providence can provide verified information about cardiothoracic specialists
• Suggest contacting the Rhode Island Medical Society for additional resources

Referrals and second opinions

Importance of primary care physician recommendations

• Discuss the value of getting referrals from trusted primary care doctors
• Explain how primary care physicians can provide context for a patient's specific needs

Seeking multiple consultations for complex cases

• Emphasize the importance of second opinions, especially for complex cardiothoracic cases
• Suggest consulting with specialists from different hospital affiliations, as seen in the JSON data (e.g., The Miriam Hospital and Rhode Island Hospital)

Insurance considerations

Verifying in-network status of specialists

• Advise readers to check if the top-rated doctors from the JSON data are in-network with their insurance
• Suggest contacting insurance providers for up-to-date information on covered cardiothoracic specialists in Providence

Understanding coverage for specialized procedures

• Recommend discussing potential procedures and their coverage with insurance providers
• Advise on the importance of understanding out-of-pocket costs for cardiothoracic treatments