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Best Cardiothoracic Surgeons in Charleston

Written by Andrew Le, MD

Updated November 22, 2024

Introduction to Cardiothoracic Medicine in Charleston

Overview of Cardiothoracic Medicine

Cardiothoracic medicine is a specialized field focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the heart, lungs, and other organs within the chest cavity.

This medical specialty plays a significant role in addressing complex cardiovascular and respiratory issues, often requiring surgical interventions.

Cardiothoracic Surgery in Charleston

Charleston boasts a robust cardiothoracic medical community, with numerous highly qualified surgeons practicing in the area.

The city's medical facilities offer advanced treatments and surgical options for patients requiring cardiothoracic care.

Importance of Choosing the Right Surgeon

Selecting an experienced and skilled cardiothoracic surgeon is essential for optimal treatment outcomes and patient care.

Factors such as a surgeon's education, certifications, experience, and patient ratings should be carefully considered when making this important decision.


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List of Cardiothoracic Surgeons in Charleston

FJ

Dr. Fred Crawford Jr

5.0

Charleston, SC

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(843) 876-4840

Duke University Hospital (Residency Hospital, 1975)

Duke University Hospital (Internship Hospital, 1968)

Duke University (Medical School, 1967)

English

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Dr. Minoo Kavarana

Dr. Minoo Kavarana

5.0

Charleston, SC

Sex

Male

Languages

English, Hindi

Phone

(843) 484-6275

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

NEW YORK Medical College (Residency Hospital, 2002)

New York Presbyterian Hospital - Columbia Presbyterian Center|University Of Louisville Hospital (Fellowship Hospital, 2002)

Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center (Internship Hospital, 1997)

M.P.Shah Medical College (Medical School, 1994)

English

Hindi

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Dr. Ian Bostock Rosenzweig

Dr. Ian Bostock Rosenzweig

5.0

Charleston, SC

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(843) 484-6275

ANAHUAC UNIVERSITY / SCHOOL OF MEDICINE (Medical School)

English

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Dr. Elizabeth Kline

Dr. Elizabeth Kline

5.0

Charleston, SC

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(843) 884-8045

American Board of Surgery

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

Virginia Mason Medical Center (Residency Hospital, 2000)

Medical University Of South Carolina Hospital (Fellowship Hospital, 2000)

Virginia Mason Medical Center (Internship Hospital, 1996)

University of Kentucky College of Medicine (Medical School, 1995)

English

General Surgery

Cardiothoracic Surgery

JK

Dr. Jacob Klapper

5.0

Charleston, SC

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(919) 668-6688

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

Indiana University School of Medicine (Medical School, 2003)

English

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Dr. John Spratt

Dr. John Spratt

5.0

Charleston, SC

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(843) 720-8490

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

Duke Hospital (Fellowship Hospital)

Duke Hospital (Residency Hospital)

Washington University School of Medicine (Medical School)

English

General Surgery

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Dr. Scott Ross

Dr. Scott Ross

5.0

Charleston, SC

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(843) 720-8490

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

University of Virginia Medical Center (Residency Hospital)

University of Virginia / Main Campus (Medical School, 1995)

University of Virginia School of Medicine (Medical School, 1995)

English

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Dr. J Matthew Toole

Dr. J Matthew Toole

5.0

Charleston, SC

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(843) 720-8490

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

Medical University of South Carolina (Fellowship Hospital)

Emory University (Residency Hospital)

Emory University (Medical School, 1998)

English

Cardiothoracic Surgery

General Surgery

Dr. Todd Shuman

Dr. Todd Shuman

5.0

Charleston, SC

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(843) 720-8397

American Board of Surgery

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

Washington University (Fellowship Hospital, 1990)

Vanderbilt University Hospital (Internship Hospital, 1984)

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (Medical School, 1983)

English

Critical Care Surgery

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Dr. Sanford Zeigler

Dr. Sanford Zeigler

4.8

Charleston, SC

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(843) 484-6275

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

Medical University of South Carolina (Medical School, 2011)

English

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Dr. Chadrick Denlinger

Dr. Chadrick Denlinger

4.5

Charleston, SC

Sex

Male

Languages

English

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

Washington University (Fellowship Hospital)

University of Vriginia (Residency Hospital)

Ohio State University College of Medicine (Medical School, 2000)

English

General Surgery

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Dr. John Ikonomidis

Dr. John Ikonomidis

4.4

Charleston, SC

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(984) 974-2872

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada (Fellowship Hospital)

Stanford University Hosp, Thoracic Surgery (Residency Hospital)

University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine (Medical School, 1989)

Ph.D. Awarded By University Of Toronto, Toronto, Canada, 1995 ()

English

Cardiothoracic Surgery

General Surgery

Transplant Surgery

TP

Dr. Thomas Person

4.2

Charleston, SC

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(814) 456-9197

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

Boston University (Medical School, 2001)

English

Cardiothoracic Surgery

HN

Dr. Hallie Neal

N/A

Charleston, SC

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(843) 723-3441

American Board of Anesthesiology

Medical University of South Carolina (Medical School, 2010)

English

Anesthesiology

Cardiothoracic Surgery

SC

Dr. Sarah Chen

N/A

Charleston, SC

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(843) 792-3072

English

Cardiothoracic Surgery

TH

Dr. Tain-Yen Hsia

N/A

Charleston, SC

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(407) 649-6907

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

Stanford University (Medical School, 1996)

English

Congenital Cardiac Surgery

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Dr. Zubair Hashmi

Dr. Zubair Hashmi

N/A

Charleston, SC

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(843) 876-5146

Ross University School of Medicine (Medical School, 2003)

English

Cardiothoracic Surgery

KB

Dr. Krishna Bhandari

N/A

Charleston, SC

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(843) 792-1414

English

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Dr. Kathryn Engelhardt

Dr. Kathryn Engelhardt

N/A

Charleston, SC

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(843) 484-6275

English

Cardiothoracic Surgery

WB

Dr. Walker Blanding

N/A

Charleston, SC

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(843) 792-6296

English

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Dr. Jonathan Littlejohn

Dr. Jonathan Littlejohn

N/A

Charleston, SC

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(843) 484-6275

English

Cardiothoracic Surgery

AK

Dr. Akshay Kumar

N/A

Charleston, SC

Sex

Male

Languages

English

English

Cardiothoracic Surgery

ZS

Dr. Zachary Sollie

N/A

Charleston, SC

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(843) 792-6296

English

Cardiothoracic Surgery

SP

Dr. Sheel Patel

N/A

Charleston, SC

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(843) 720-8317

English

Cardiothoracic Surgery

QK

Dr. Quiana Kern

N/A

Charleston, SC

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(843) 792-6296

English

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Choosing a Cardiothoracic Surgeon in Charleston

Factors to consider

Board certifications and specializations

  • American Board of Thoracic Surgery certification common among top-rated surgeons
  • Some surgeons hold additional certifications (e.g., American Board of Surgery)

Experience and education

  • Review educational background, including medical school and residencies
  • Consider surgeons with fellowships at prestigious institutions

Patient reviews and ratings

  • Examine star ratings and number of reviews on platforms like Healthgrades
  • Look for consistent positive feedback across multiple patients

Hospital affiliations

  • Consider surgeons affiliated with reputable hospitals in Charleston
  • Research the cardiac care facilities at affiliated hospitals

The importance of personal comfort and communication

Language considerations

  • Most surgeons in Charleston primarily speak English
  • Some surgeons offer additional language options (e.g., Dr. Minoo Kavarana speaks Hindi)

Gender preferences

  • Options available for both male and female surgeons in Charleston
  • Notable female surgeons include Dr. Elizabeth Kline and Dr. Kathryn Engelhardt

Top-Rated Cardiothoracic Surgeons in Charleston

Dr. Elizabeth Kline

Qualifications and Specializations

  • Board certified in General Surgery and Thoracic Surgery
  • Specializes in General Surgery and Cardiothoracic Surgery

Patient Satisfaction

  • 5.0 star rating based on 12 patient reviews
  • Highly regarded by patients

Education and Training

  • Graduated from University of Kentucky College of Medicine in 1995
  • Completed residency at Virginia Mason Medical Center
  • Fellowship at Medical University of South Carolina Hospital

Dr. J Matthew Toole

Expertise

  • Specializes in Cardiothoracic Surgery and General Surgery
  • Board certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery

Patient Reviews

  • Perfect 5.0 star rating from 15 patient reviews
  • Highest number of reviews among top-rated surgeons

Professional Background

  • Graduated from Emory University School of Medicine in 1998
  • Completed residency at Emory University
  • Fellowship at Medical University of South Carolina

Dr. Scott Ross

Specialization

  • Focused practice in Cardiothoracic Surgery
  • Board certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery

Patient Satisfaction

  • 5.0 star rating based on 10 patient reviews
  • Consistently positive patient feedback

Educational Background

  • Graduated from University of Virginia School of Medicine in 1995
  • Completed residency at University of Virginia Medical Center

Additional Resources for Finding the Right Cardiothoracic Surgeon in Charleston

Online Platforms and Directories

Healthgrades

  • Comprehensive doctor profiles with ratings and reviews
  • Detailed information on education, certifications, and specialties

Local Hospital Websites

  • Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) physician directory
  • Roper St. Francis Healthcare provider search

Professional Medical Associations

Society of Thoracic Surgeons

  • Find a cardiothoracic surgeon tool
  • Educational resources on cardiothoracic procedures

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

  • Verify board certification of Charleston surgeons
  • Understanding the importance of board certification in cardiothoracic surgery

Local Health Networks and Support Groups

Charleston Heart Health Network

  • Patient testimonials and experiences
  • Local events and support group meetings

South Carolina Chapter of the American Heart Association

  • Resources for heart and vascular health
  • Connections to local cardiothoracic specialists

Consultation Preparation

Questions to Ask Your Potential Surgeon

  • Experience with specific procedures
  • Success rates and potential complications
  • Hospital affiliations and preferred surgical facilities

Documentation to Bring

  • Medical history and current medications
  • Recent test results and imaging studies
  • List of questions and concerns