Panel Discussion

Michael Halkos

Panelist

Dr. Halkos is an experienced and productive academic cardiac surgeon-scientist, whose expertise is in minimally invasive cardiac surgery, which includes robotic mitral valve surgery, robotic-assisted coronary artery bypass surgery, and hybrid coronary revascularization.  Over 50% of his clinical practice focuses on minimally invasive approaches for cardiac surgical operations. 

He currently serves as the Chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Emory University School of Medicine overseeing cardiothoracic surgical programs at 4 Emory Healthcare Hospitals and 3 Emory-affiliated programs in and outside of Atlanta, GA.  Annual adult cardiac surgical volume in these programs exceeds 3,000 cases per year, thoracic volume exceeds 1,500 cases per year, and congenital cardiac surgical volume exceeds 800 cases per year.  He also serves on the Executive Committee of the Emory Heart and Vascular Center and serves as the Director for the Center for Clinical Research for the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery Research at Emory University.   

He has published over 150 articles in peer-reviewed journals and given over 150 invited lectures and abstract presentations at international and national meetings. 

Puja Kachroo

Panelist

I am an Associate Professor in Cardiac Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis, MO.  I am the Surgical Director of the Center for Thoracic Aortic Disease and also the Co-Director of the Transcatheter Valve Therapies program.  My clinical interests are in complex aortic surgery (including aortic root, arch, descending and thoracoabdominal), multivalvular heart disease, and multi-arterial coronary revascularization. 

Lokeswara Sajja

Panelist

Lokeswara Rao Sajja is a pioneering Cardiothoracic Surgeon in India, had his educational journey through prestigious institutions, culminating in advanced cardiovascular training under the guidance of Prof. Denton A Cooley at the Texas Heart Institute, Houston, Tx. He founded the Society of Coronary Surgeons, dedicated to advancing coronary surgery in India. As Chairman of the Sajja Heart Foundation, he received recognition as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (SIRO) by the Government of India in 2019. His innovative spirit led to the development of a mechanical prosthetic heart valve, eliminating the need for long-term oral anticoagulation (US and Indian patents awarded, waiting Animal implantation). He also designed the Mammary Artery Support Platform (MASP) to enhance BITA usage in CABG surgery. Dr. Sajja's surgical expertise spans around 20,000 open heart operations, and he spearheads multicenter randomized trials in Cardiac Surgery in India. His "PROMOTE Patency Study" gained global recognition as India's first multicenter randomized controlled trial in cardiac surgery. He currently leads the "PREDICT Study" with support from the Indian Council of Medical Research. He actively participates in Multi-Centre International trials in Cardiac Surgery. He is an active member of international societies, including AATS, STS, EACTS, and ASCVS, Dr. Sajja has presented numerous original research papers at international meetings. He has authored over 110 articles in peer-reviewed journals, serves as a guest reviewer for prominent journals, and holds editorial roles in respected publications. He is the Founder President of Society of Coronary Surgeons and current President of the Indian Association of Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgeons (IACTS) 2023.

Marc Moon

Panelist

Dr. Moon has been involved in AATS operations for more than a decade, originally as a program committee member for the Annual Meeting beginning in 2009.  He has served on the Executive Board from 2012 to the present as Secretary, Vice President, and ultimately President at the 101st Annual Meeting in 2021.  Dr. Moon's clinical focus in adult cardiac surgery includes aortic surgery and complex reoperative valvular surgery.  Dr. Moon's educational platform focuses on advancing diversity and inclusion in the cardiothoracic community.      

Sitaram Emani

Panelist

Sitaram Emani is Associate Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School and Director of the Complex Biventricular Repair Program at Boston Children's Hosptial. 

Piroze Davierwala

Panelist

Dr. Piroze Davierwala is the Director of Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery at the Peter Munk Cardiac Center in Toronto General Hospital. He graduated from medical school in 1993 followed by a residency in General Surgery (1994-1996) and obtained his Masters in General surgery from the University of Pune, India. Thereafter, he did his residency in Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery (1997-2000), and obtained the degree of Master of Chirurgie from the University of Mumbai, India. Subsequently, he did a 3-year clinical fellowship at the University of Toronto, Canada. Following the completion of his training, he worked as a consultant in Cardiovascular Surgery in two private hospitals in the city of Pune, India. He was then recruited by the Division of Cardiac Surgery at the Leipzig Heart Center, Germany in 2009, where he was the Lead Senior Consultant and Director of Coronary Bypass surgery, until he moved to Toronto in 2021. During his 12-year tenure at this institute, predominantly renowned for minimally invasive cardiac surgery, he developed a keen interest and expertise in the entire spectrum of minimally invasive surgical procedures including mitral, tricuspid and aortic valve repairs, coronary artery bypass and aortic surgery. Additionally, he pioneered the development and establishment of the technique of multi-vessel total arterial minimally invasive coronary surgery with the use of bilateral internal thoracic arteries at the institute. Besides, he has tremendous experience in performing complex reconstructive surgery for endocarditis and complications of myocardial infarction among other procedures. His research work chiefly encompassing clinical studies and trials, has been published in numerous peer-reviewed international journals. He has over 100 publications and is an author of several book chapters as well. He is a member of esteemed societies such as the AATS, EACTS and ISMICS and is also a fellow of the American Heart Association (FAHA).