Who We Are

Arman Kilic, M.D. serves as ICCE Chief for Heart and Vascular and Surgical Director of the Heart Failure and Heart Transplant Program at MUSC Health. He is Professor of Surgery in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Director of the Harvey and Marcia Schiller Surgical Innovation Center, where he leads initiatives in surgical innovation, data science, and the application of artificial intelligence to improve patient outcomes. He is board certified in both general surgery and cardiothoracic surgery.

Dr. Kilic earned his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, completed his general surgery residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and pursued fellowship training in cardiac surgery at the University of Pennsylvania.

An adult cardiac surgeon, his clinical practice spans the full spectrum of heart surgery, including coronary artery bypass grafting, valve repair and replacement, heart transplantation, and ventricular assist devices. He has particular expertise in high-risk and advanced coronary procedures — including off-pump and multi-arterial bypass — as well as heart failure surgery and minimally invasive techniques.

Dr. Kilic has authored more than 250 peer-reviewed publications and edited major textbooks. He serves on the editorial boards of leading cardiothoracic journals and is a frequent invited speaker at national and international meetings. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American College of Cardiology and holds leadership roles in multiple professional societies.

In addition to his clinical and academic work, Dr. Kilic has mentored numerous trainees and has received research funding from the National Institutes of Health and the Thoracic Surgery Foundation.