UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute Adds Two New Physicians
By: Lawerence Synett
One of the world’s premier centers for comprehensive cardiac care, the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute recently added two new physicians who will aid in the development of revolutionary devices and new models of treatment that will improve the lives of those facing the most complex heart and vascular conditions.
Christopher Sciortino, M.D., joined as the surgical director of the Advanced Heart Failure Center and will help lead UPMC’s efforts in heart transplantation and mechanical circulatory support with ventricular assist devices (VAD), as well as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). He has also been appointed assistant professor of cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
“I look forward to working with a highly motivated team of health care providers, researchers and business leaders who have a passion for their mission to administer to the sick of our community,” Dr. Sciortino said. “UPMC has an important place in the history of development of cardiac transplantation and mechanical support devices. It is considered by many one of the founding institutions that brought these therapies into the mainstream of cardiovascular treatment.”
Dr. Sciortino joins UPMC from Johns Hopkins University, where he served as assistant professor of surgery, surgical chief of mechanical surgery support and heart transplantation, and director of adult extracorporeal life support. He has an extensive background in bioengineering research and will join the team at the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, where he will pursue research in both heart transplantation and VAD development.
“When I first visited UPMC and Pitt, I was impressed with the vision and motivation of the leadership, staff and institution,” Dr. Sciortino said. “It became clear that UPMC is unique in its vision not only to provide supreme quality health care to patients, but also lead innovations in how health care is delivered to patients worldwide.”
Dr. Ibrahim Sultan was recruited for the Center for Thoracic Aortic Disease, Center for Aortic Valve Disease and UPMC Shadyside cardiac surgery program. In addition to serving as assistant professor of cardiothoracic surgery at Pitt, Dr. Sultan will provide cardiac surgical support for the UPMC Presbyterian cardiac surgery program.
“It is truly a privilege to be part of the Pittsburgh and UPMC community,” Dr. Sultan said. “UPMC HVI is considered one of the highest volume and most innovative aortic surgical centers in the world.”
Dr. Sultan earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from Cornell University before being trained in general surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He went on to the University of Pennsylvania, where he completed both his cardiothoracic surgery residency and advanced cardiac surgery fellowship focused on thoracic aortic surgery and valvular disease.
For more information about the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, click here.
“I look forward to working with a highly motivated team of health care providers, researchers and business leaders who have a passion for their mission to administer to the sick of our community,” Dr. Sciortino said. “UPMC has an important place in the history of development of cardiac transplantation and mechanical support devices. It is considered by many one of the founding institutions that brought these therapies into the mainstream of cardiovascular treatment.”
In addition to serving as assistant professor of cardiothoracic surgery at Pitt, Dr. Sultan will provide cardiac surgical support for the UPMC Presbyterian cardiac surgery program.
