Cardiothoracic Surgery

Dr Katz in his office with clinical team

The Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at MUSC provides the finest in patient care offering innovative, minimally invasive approaches and procedures whenever possible. And, as the only academic medical institution in S.C., our heart surgeons master revolutionary surgical procedures.

In many situations we use a Heart Team approach, collaborating with our world class colleagues in areas like cardiology and vascular surgery. Together we develop innovative strategies resulting in the highest level care with the least invasive procedures. Our goal is the best and safest care that affords the most rapid recovery and return to full activity.

  • Our surgical team is the only one in South Carolina with the experience and expertise to perform complex surgical procedures such as heart transplantation, robotic valve surgery and complex aortic surgeries. 
  • U.S. News & World Report ranks MUSC Health as high-performing in aortic valve surgery and heart bypass surgery.
  • MUSC Health is proud to announce that it has received a Blue Distinction® Center+ designation in Adult Heart Transplant.
  • We are the 5th largest volume center for LVAD and the 13th largest volume center for heart transplants in the U.S.
  • Marc R. Katz, M.D., Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, performed the state's first robotically assisted, FDA-approved thoracic surgical procedure for patients who have a leaking mitral valve.

Although we are experts in our field, our patients and their families are integral parts of the decision making process. Patients are “experts in themselves,” and their thoughts, perspectives and desires help craft a plan for the ideal outcome.

Meet our faculty and learn about their areas of expertise.

Dr Katz

Marc R. Katz, M.D. MPH

Professor of Surgery & Division Chief

Quynh Chu, MD 

Quynh Chu, M.D.

Assistant Professor

Kathryn Engelhardt, MD

Kathryn Engelhardt, M.D., M.S.

Assistant Professor

Dr. Gibney

Barry Gibney, D.O.

Associate Professor & Thoracic Section Chief

Arman Kilic MD

Arman Kilic, M.D.

Associate Professor & Director of Heart Failure Program

Dr Pope

Nicolas Pope, M.D.

Assistant Professor

Dr Witer

Lucas Witer, M.D.

Assistant Professor

Dr Zeigler

Sanford Zeigler, M.D.

Associate Professor

Dr Crawford

Fred A. Crawford, M.D.

Distinguished University Professor, Chair Emeritus

Dr Kratz

John M. Kratz, M.D.

Emeritus Professor of Surgery

Dr. Robert Sade

Robert M. Sade, M.D.

Emeritus Professor of Surgery

Clinical Faculty

Krishna Bhandari, MD

Krishna Bhandari, M.D.

Clinical Assistant Professor

Stephen Greer, MD

Stephen Greer, M.D.

Clinical Assistant Professor
Self Regional Hospital

Claudio Guareschi, MD

Claudio Guareschi, M.D.

Clinical Assistant Professor
Self Regional Hospital

Vasant Jayasankar, MD

Vasant Jayasankar, M.D.

Clinical Assistant Professor
AnMed Hospital

Research Faculty

Dr Jones 

Jeffrey Jones, Ph.D.

Professor

Dr Mukherjee 

Rupak Mukherjee, Ph.D.

Associate Professor 

Section for Bioethics

The Section of Bioethics in Cardiothoracic Surgery is an educational branch of the division, responsible for providing commentary on ethical issues as they arise in divisional conferences. Learn more.