Arman Kilic, M.D., Named Chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at MUSC

The MUSC Department of Surgery is excited to announce the appointment of Arman Kilic, M.D., as the new Chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery. Dr. Kilic will also serve as the new Chief of the MUSC Health Heart and Vascular Integrated Center for Clinical Excellence. These dual leadership roles will help MUSC expand its national recognition as a leader in cardiothoracic surgery and foster closer collaboration with vascular surgery and cardiology. Dr. Kilic’s leadership within the MUSC Health system will enhance access to cardiothoracic care across the state and region, strengthening both our national reputation and our direct impact on the health of citizens locally and beyond.

Dr. Kilic is an internationally recognized cardiothoracic surgeon whose expertise spans the full range of adult cardiac surgery, including coronary artery bypass grafting, complex valve procedures, aortic surgery, and heart failure surgery. His deep commitment to innovation, research, and patient-centered care aligns perfectly with MUSC’s goals to advance the field of cardiothoracic surgery and expand cutting-edge treatments.

Dr. Kilic completed his general surgery residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he served as Administrative Chief Resident, and his cardiothoracic surgery training at the University of Pennsylvania. During his tenure at MUSC he has played a leading role in expanding the depth and impact of the cardiothoracic surgery program.

Among his many achievements, Dr. Kilic performed South Carolina’s first DCD (donation after circulatory death) heart transplant. Under his leadership as Surgical Director of the Heart Failure and Heart Transplant Program and with close collaboration and partnership with his cardiology colleagues, MUSC now ranks among the busiest advanced heart failure programs in the country. The program consistently reports exceptional patient outcomes, including top-tier national survival rates.  Dr. Kilic led multidisciplinary quality improvement initiatives that have resulted in MUSC Charleston recently achieving a 3-star rating in coronary artery bypass grafting, placing it among the elite for heart bypass surgery in the US and Canada.

In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Kilic leads multiple national clinical trials and is the Principal Investigator of an NIH R01-funded study exploring the use of artificial intelligence  in heart transplantation. He serves as Director of the Harvey and Marcia Schiller Surgical Innovation Center.  He also created and directs MUSC’s Heart Transplantation and Mechanical Circulatory Support Fellowship.

Looking ahead, Dr. Kilic’s vision for the Division includes a focus on delivering the highest quality care for patients, accelerating research and innovation, training the next generation of leaders in cardiothoracic surgery, and expanding MUSC’s national recognition and ranking . He is deeply committed to ensuring that every patient at MUSC receives timely and personalized care, with access to cutting edge trials and therapies.

The Department of Surgery is deeply grateful to Marc R. Katz, M.D., MPH, for his many years of leadership and invaluable contributions to the division. With Dr. Kilic now at the helm, we look forward to an exciting new chapter of innovation and excellence in cardiothoracic care at MUSC.