USC Cardiothoracic Surgery has been a leader in cardiovascular disease treatment for more than 14 years. Under the leadership of Vaughn A. Starnes, M.D., USC surgeons have performed more than 15,000 open-heart surgeries for valve repair and replacements and coronary artery bypasses.

Our surgeons, along with their extensive clinical, research, and administrative staff, offer comprehensive state of the art therapy for all surgical diseases of the chest including: Adult Cardiac Surgery, Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery, Endoscopic Vein Harvest, Adult Thoracic Surgery, Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery, Pediatric Cardiac & Thoracic Surgery, Heart and Lung Transplantation.

National and International Recognition

"Best Doctors in America"

• Mark L. Barr, M.D.
• Vaughn A. Starnes, M.D.
• McFadden P. Michael, M.D.

"America's Top Doctors"*

• Robbin Cohen, M.D.
• Vaughn A. Starnes, M.D.
• McFadden P. Michael, M.D.

*New York: Castle Connolly Medical Ltd; 2004

Starnes named chair of expanded Department of Surgery»
Vaughn Starnes will oversee the expanded department, consisting of the departments of Surgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery and Colorectal Surgery. His appointment became effective Dec. 1.

Vaughn A. Starnes and Michael Waterman are this year’s recipients of the university’s highest honor, the Presidential Medallion. »
USC President Steven B. Sample presented the awards at the 27th annual Academic Honors Convocation April 7 at Town & Gown. Starnes, an internationally renowned surgeon, has been a pioneer in cardiothoracic surgery, heart and lung transplantation and repair of congenital heart defects. He is also acclaimed for his expertise in heart surgery for newborns and children.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger praises the healthcare he received at USC—and also the expertise of Vaughn Starnes (seated). »
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger marked the 10-year anniversary of his heart surgery at USC’s Health Science Campus by visiting on April 16 and saluting the new Cardiovascular Thoracic Institute (CVTI). The new Institute at the Keck School of Medicine is waging war against the leading cause of death among American men and women—heart disease. It was created under the leadership of Vaughn Starnes, chair of the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Keck School.

USC Heart Transplant Program boasts best survival rates in U.S.»
The Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at USC is at the top of its game, according to a recent report that listed their Heart Transplant Program at USC University Hospital as having a statistically higher survival rate than the national average. The report, released by the U.S. Transplant Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR), compiled risk-adjusted survival rates for the 125 heart transplant centers across the country. Five programs had observed results that were statistically worse than the risk-adjusted expected outcomes and USC was the only center that achieved a statistically higher survival rating. Further, 119 programs did not differ significantly from the national average.

American Heart Association honors Keck School surgeon Vaughn Starnes»
The American Heart Association honored USC cardiothoracic surgeon Vaughn Starnes on Feb. 12 at its 28th Annual Los Angeles Heart Ball at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. Starnes is Hastings Distinguished Professor and chair of the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Keck School of Medicine.

A Robot Named ‘da Vinci’ Puts USC at the Forefront of Surgery»
Vaughn Starnes, professor and chair of cardiothoracic surgery, and his team of cardiothoracic surgeons, assistant professors Daniel Schwartz and Ross Bremner, repaired the mitral valve of patient Lotte Henderson on April 27 at USC University Hospital using the da Vinci Surgical System. “Robotic surgery is going to revolutionize cardiothoracic procedures,” Starnes said. “This is truly the next advance in heart surgery.”