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Best Cardiothoracic Surgeons in McAllen

Written by Andrew Le, MD

Updated November 22, 2024

Introduction to Cardiothoracic Medicine in McAllen

Overview 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 procedures, from minimally invasive techniques to complex open-heart surgeries.

Specialized care in this field is essential for patients with cardiovascular and thoracic conditions, as it can significantly improve outcomes and quality of life. Cardiothoracic specialists possess the expertise to handle intricate procedures and provide comprehensive care for patients with heart and lung diseases.

The Landscape of Cardiothoracic Care in McAllen

McAllen, Texas, is home to several highly qualified cardiothoracic surgeons, offering residents access to advanced cardiac and thoracic care. Based on the provided data, there are at least nine cardiothoracic specialists practicing in the area, each bringing unique skills and expertise to the field.

Selecting the right cardiothoracic specialist is a significant decision that can greatly impact a patient's treatment and recovery. Factors such as the surgeon's experience, patient ratings, and areas of specialization should be carefully considered when making this choice. In McAllen, patients have the opportunity to choose from a diverse group of specialists, each with their own strengths and expertise in various aspects of cardiothoracic medicine.


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List of Cardiothoracic Surgeons in McAllen

AT

Dr. Amit Taggarse

5.0

McAllen, TX

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Khazar University School of Medicine (Medical School, 1996)

English

Family Medicine

Cardiothoracic Surgery

General Medical Practice

Dr. Ross Ungerleider

Dr. Ross Ungerleider

5.0

McAllen, TX

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(984) 974-4601

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

SOUTHWEST COLLEGE OF NATUROPATHIC MEDICINEHEALTH SCIENCES (Medical School, 1977)

English

Congenital Cardiac Surgery

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Dr. Filiberto Rodriguez-Salinas

Dr. Filiberto Rodriguez-Salinas

4.9

McAllen, TX

Sex

Male

Languages

English, Spanish

Phone

(956) 630-9430

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

Club Mitral, Paris France Dr. Carpentier (1990)

Cleveland Clinic Foundation (Fellowship Hospital, 1983)

Cleveland Clinic Foundation|Mayo Clin Fdn (Fellowship Hospital, 1983)

Mayo Clin Fdn (Fellowship Hospital, 1982)

Cleveland Clinic Foundation (Residency Hospital, 1981)

Cleveland Clinic Foundation|Med College Ohio|Wash Hospital Center (Residency Hospital, 1981)

Med College Ohio (Residency Hospital, 1978)

Wash Hospital Center (Residency Hospital, 1974)

Wash Hospital Center|Washington Hospital Center (Internship Hospital, 1973)

Washington Hospital Center (Internship Hospital, 1973)

Universidad Autonoma De Nuevo Leon (Medical School, 1971)

English

Spanish

Cardiothoracic Surgery

General Surgery

Vascular Surgery

JG

Dr. Jorge De La Garza

4.7

McAllen, TX

Sex

Male

Languages

English, Spanish

Phone

(956) 971-0066

University of Texas Health San Antonio School of Dentistry (Medical School, 1982)

English

Spanish

Vascular Surgery

Cardiothoracic Surgery

FB

Dr. Francisco Bracamontes

4.3

McAllen, TX

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(956) 618-5209

TEXAS HEART INSTITUTE (Fellowship Hospital)

Facultad De Medicina De Tamaulipas (Medical School, 1976)

English

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Dr. Daniel Martinez

Dr. Daniel Martinez

4.3

McAllen, TX

Sex

Male

Languages

English, Spanish

Phone

(817) 684-2700

American Board of Surgery

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

Ucsf Medical Center (Fellowship Hospital, 2003)

Wake Forest University Medical Center (Fellowship Hospital, 2001)

LSUHSC-S (Residency Hospital, 1999)

University of Illinois at Chicago (Internship Hospital, 1995)

English

Spanish

Cardiothoracic Surgery

MB

Dr. Mark Bielefeld

3.0

McAllen, TX

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(361) 854-0201

American Board of Surgery

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

Medical College of Wisconsin (Medical School, 1988)

English

General Surgery

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Dr. Jaime Villarreal

Dr. Jaime Villarreal

2.3

McAllen, TX

Sex

Male

Languages

English, Spanish

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

Baylor College of Medicine, Surgery, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, and Cardiothoracic Surgery (Residency Hospital, 2001)

The Methodist Hospital, General Surgery (Fellowship Hospital, 1983)

Hospital San Jose de Monterrey, Surgical (Internship Hospital, 1981)

Universidad de Monterrey, Doctorate of Medicine (Medical School, 1979)

English

Spanish

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Dr. Inder Mehta

Dr. Inder Mehta

N/A

McAllen, TX

Sex

Male

Languages

English, Hindi

Phone

(504) 842-3966

American Board of Thoracic Surgery

Maimonides Medical Center (Fellowship Hospital)

Yale University Hospitals (Residency Hospital)

University Of Delhi College Of Medical Sciences, India (Medical School, 1978)

English

Hindi

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Selecting a Cardiothoracic Specialist in McAllen

Factors to Consider

Board Certifications and Qualifications

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

Experience and Expertise

  • Years of practice and specialized training
  • Fellowship experiences at renowned institutions
  • Range of cardiothoracic procedures performed

Patient Ratings and Reviews

  • Significance of star ratings on platforms like Healthgrades
  • Number of reviews as an indicator of experience
  • Analyzing patient feedback for insights

Language and Communication

  • Availability of multilingual surgeons (English and Spanish)
  • Importance of clear doctor-patient communication

Utilizing Online Resources

Medical Review Websites

  • Using Healthgrades for comprehensive physician profiles
  • Cross-referencing information from multiple sources

Professional Medical Associations

  • American Board of Thoracic Surgery website for verification
  • Society of Thoracic Surgeons for additional information

Top-Rated Cardiothoracic Surgeons in McAllen

Dr. Filiberto Rodriguez-Salinas

Qualifications and Expertise

  • Board certified by American Board of Thoracic Surgery
  • Extensive education including fellowships at Cleveland Clinic Foundation and Mayo Clinic
  • Specializes in Cardiothoracic Surgery, General Surgery, and Vascular Surgery

Patient Satisfaction

  • Highest number of patient reviews (109)
  • Impressive 4.9-star rating

Additional Information

  • Multilingual: Fluent in English and Spanish
  • Contact: (956) 630-9430

Dr. Jorge De La Garza

Expertise

  • Specializes in Vascular Surgery and Cardiothoracic Surgery
  • Graduated from University of Texas Health San Antonio School of Dentistry

Patient Feedback

  • 4.7-star rating
  • Limited number of reviews (3)

Additional Information

  • Multilingual: Fluent in English and Spanish
  • Contact: (956) 971-0066

Dr. Daniel Martinez

Qualifications

  • Double board-certified by American Board of Surgery and American Board of Thoracic Surgery
  • Fellowship training at UCSF Medical Center and Wake Forest University Medical Center

Patient Satisfaction

  • 4.3-star rating
  • 7 patient reviews

Additional Information

  • Multilingual: Fluent in English and Spanish
  • Contact: (817) 684-2700

Other Notable Specialists

Dr. Ross Ungerleider

  • 5.0-star rating (limited reviews)
  • Specializes in Congenital Cardiac Surgery and Cardiothoracic Surgery
  • Board certified by American Board of Thoracic Surgery

Dr. Francisco Bracamontes

  • 4.3-star rating
  • Fellowship at Texas Heart Institute
  • Specializes in Cardiothoracic Surgery

Additional Considerations for Choosing a Cardiothoracic Surgeon in McAllen

Communication and Language

Importance of Clear Doctor-Patient Communication

  • Emphasize the need for effective communication in complex medical procedures
  • Discuss how language proficiency affects patient understanding and comfort

Multilingual Surgeons in McAllen

  • Highlight surgeons who speak multiple languages (e.g., Dr. Rodriguez-Salinas, Dr. De La Garza, Dr. Martinez - all speak English and Spanish)
  • Discuss the advantage of choosing a surgeon who speaks the patient's preferred language

Subspecialties within Cardiothoracic Surgery

Congenital Cardiac Surgery

  • Mention Dr. Ross Ungerleider's specialization in congenital cardiac surgery
  • Explain the importance of choosing a surgeon with specific expertise for particular conditions

Combined Expertise

  • Discuss surgeons with multiple specialties (e.g., Dr. Rodriguez-Salinas - cardiothoracic, general, and vascular surgery)
  • Explain how combined expertise can be beneficial for complex cases

Accessibility and Location

Availability of Contact Information

  • Note that some surgeons have phone numbers listed (e.g., Dr. Rodriguez-Salinas: (956) 630-9430)
  • Advise readers to contact offices directly for the most up-to-date information

Online Presence and Information

  • Mention the availability of online profiles and photos for some surgeons
  • Encourage readers to use provided links for additional information (e.g., Dr. Rodriguez-Salinas: https://www.healthgrades.com/physician/dr-filiberto-rodriguez-salinas-2q239)