March 5, 2004

New MGH chief of Cardiac Surgery selected

After serving as interim chief of MGH Cardiac Surgery since 2003, Gus Vlahakes, MD, has been selected to fill the position permanently. He succeeds David Torchiana, MD, who left the position to lead the Massachusetts General Physicians Organization (MGPO) as chairman and CEO.

"Gus has been a critical success factor over the years to the Cardiac Surgery program," says Ann Prestipino, senior vice president for Surgical and Anesthesia Services and the MGH Cardiac Program. "Because of his effective leadership, collaborative spirit and dedication to making this program flourish, we are confident that he will be an excellent chief."

Before he assumed the role of interim chief of Cardiac Surgery, Vlahakes, (at right), served as unit chief of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery in the Cardiac Surgery Division for 16 years. His clinical interests also include adult congenital heart surgery, mechanical circulatory support and arrhythmia surgery. His research interests are right heart function and mitral valve physiology. He received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School in 1975 and completed his residency training at the MGH, where he was chief resident in cardiothoracic surgery and at Boston Children's Hospital, where he served as chief resident in pediatric cardiovascular surgery. He also studied pediatric cardiovascular physiology at the Cardiovascular Research Institute in San Francisco.

He has received numerous awards and honors for his work and currently serves on the editorial advisory boards for the Journal of Cardiac Surgery and European Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery. He has co-authored many research studies, as well as books and reviews about pediatric and adult cardiac surgery.

"Dr. Vlahakes is a multi-talented cardiac surgeon who has brought many clinical 'firsts' to the MGH," says Andrew Warshaw, MD, chief of MGH Surgery. "His vision and equanimity will be invaluable for the development and organization of cardiac services at the MGH in the years ahead."