Top Doctors 2020 Cardiology Specialties: Thoracic & Cardiac Surgery

[addtoany]

This article appears in print in the April 2020 issue as part of the Top Doctors (Cardiology Specialties) cover story. Click here to subscribe.

Thoracic and cardiac surgery includes operations performed on any organ in the chest, including the lungs, esophagus, heart and others. Thoracic surgeons treat patients with lung cancer, coronary disease, aneurysms and heart diseases. A subset of thoracic surgery, cardiac surgery includes aortic and valve surgery, artificial hearts and implantable devices, atrial fibrillation and bypass surgery, valve surgery and other procedures.

Gabriel S. Aldea, M.D., minimally invasive cardiac surgery, vascular and thoracic aortic surgery, heart valve surgery; University of Washington Medical Center, Cardiothoracic Surgery, 1959 NE Pacific St., Seattle, 206.598.3636; University of Washington Medical Center

Robert Binford, M.D., minimally invasive cardiac surgery, robotic cardiac surgery, atrial fibrillation; Overlake Clinics, Cardiothoracic Surgery, 1135 116th Ave. NE, Suite 605, Bellevue, 425.454.8161; Overlake Medical Center, EvergreenHealth

James K. Brevig, M.D., aortic root and arch surgery, minimally invasive mitral valve surgery, bloodless heart surgery; Providence Medical Group North Everett Clinic, Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery, 1330 Rockefeller Ave., Suite 400, Everett, 425.261.4950; Providence Regional Medical Center Everett

Kimberly Costas, M.D., thoracic surgery, lung and esophageal cancer, robotic surgery; Providence Medical Group North Everett Clinic, Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery, 1330 Rockefeller, Suite 400, Everett, 425.261.4950; Providence Regional Medical Center Everett

Alexander S. Farivar, M.D., mesothelioma, robotic surgery, lung cancer; Swedish Thoracic Surgery, 1101 Madison St., Suite 900, Seattle, 206.215.6800; Swedish Medical Center–First Hill

Farhood Farjah, M.D., MPH, esophageal surgery and endoscopy, pulmonary and respiratory disease, mesothelioma; Thoracic Surgery Clinic at University of Washington Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific St., Seattle, 206.598.4477; University of Washington Medical Center

Michal Hubka, M.D., minimally invasive thoracic surgery, robotic surgery, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS); Virginia Mason Surgery Center, 1100 Ninth Ave., Seattle, 206.341.1905; Virginia Mason Medical Center

Brian E. Louie, M.D., MPH, esophageal cancer, lung cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); Swedish Thoracic Surgery, 1101 Madison Ave., Suite 900, Seattle, 206.215.6800; Swedish Medical Center–First Hill

Michael S. Mulligan, M.D., lung transplant, lung and esophageal cancer, emphysema/lung volume reduction; Thoracic Surgery Clinic at University of Washington Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific St., Seattle, 206.598.4477; University of Washington Medical Center

David W. Nelson, M.D., coronary bypass surgery, valve surgery, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure; Overlake Clinics, Cardiothoracic Surgery, 1135 116th Ave. NE, Suite 605, Bellevue, 425.454.8161; Overlake Medical Center

Eric Vallieres, M.D.,** lung and thoracic cancer, mesothelioma and mediastinal tumors, hyperhidrosis; Swedish Thoracic Surgery, 1101 Madison St., Suite 900, Seattle, 206.215.6800; Swedish Medical Center–First Hill

Gautam R. Velamoor, M.D., cardiac and aortic surgery, aortic valve replacement including transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), mitral valve repair and replacement reconstruction; Virginia Mason Heart Institute, 1100 Ninth Ave., Seattle, 206.223.6198; Virginia Mason Medical Center, EvergreenHealth

Edward D. Verrier, M.D.,** adult congenital heart disease, heart valve surgery, aortic surgery; Heart Institute at University of Washington Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific St., Seattle, 206.598.4300; University of Washington Medical Center, Northwest Hospital & Medical Center

Douglas E. Wood, M.D., lung and esophageal cancer, tracheal surgery, emphysema surgery; Thoracic Surgery Clinic at University of Washington Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific St., Seattle, 206.598.4477; University of Washington Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center

Credentials
A guide to the abbreviations used in this list to indicate medical and professional degrees:

DMD Doctor of Dental Medicine
D.O. Doctor of Osteopathy
MBA Master of Business Administration
MBChB Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (U.K. and other countries outside the U.S.)
M.D. Doctor of Medicine
MPH Master of Public Health
MSCE Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology
MS/MSCI Master of Science (many countries outside the U.S.)
Ph.D. Doctor of Philosophy (doctorate)
Each physician’s primary practice location is listed after their specialties; additional hospital affiliations follow.

* One asterisk after a physician’s name means the physician is not seeing new patients, but may refer within the department, group or practice.
** Two asterisks mean that the physician is not seeing new patients, but can take new patients by referral. The doctor may also take relatives of current patients.

Doctors do not and cannot pay to be selected as a Top Doctor. To learn how doctors are selected, please click here.