Cardiothoracic Surgery Program
The Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery Program offers expert surgical care for children's heart conditions, including rare and complex disorders.
U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks UCSF among the nation's best for pediatric cardiology and heart surgery. Our surgeons are renowned for repairing complicated heart birth defects and have expertise in unifocalization, Norwood, arterial switch and Ross procedures. Many of our providers are considered leaders in their field, and some of the treatments we use were developed here at UCSF.
Whenever possible, we make surgery easier on our young patients by using minimally invasive techniques. Compared with open heart surgery, these approaches mean less postoperative pain, shorter hospital stays and faster recoveries. We're also the only program in the West that creates detailed 3D replicas of our patients' unique hearts to help surgeons plan complex repairs.
Our surgeons are highly skilled at treating the smallest and most vulnerable patients, including premature infants and low-birth-weight newborns. And as part of the Fetal Cardiovascular Program, we begin caring for some of our patients before they're born.
In addition to our main locations in San Francisco and Oakland, our experts provide consultations and care at the Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center.
We're also part of the Neonatal Cardiovascular Center of Excellence, which cares for premature and critically ill infants born with heart birth defects. Together with colleagues from other pediatric specialties, we work to maximize these patients' long-term heart health and neurological development.
Highlights of our heart care
A whole-child approach
We believe in caring for the whole child. This means addressing all of your child's medical needs while also nurturing their emotional, developmental and social well-being.
Built for kids
We're part of a children's hospital, and pediatric heart care is our only focus – we don't treat adults. All our doctors and nurses are specially trained in caring for babies and children, and our facilities and equipment were designed with their needs in mind.
Extra support for patients
Child life specialists are experts in helping kids cope with medical procedures and hospitalization. Using play, education and therapeutic techniques tailored to the child's age and needs, they make the health care experience more positive for the whole family.
Extra support for families
Our Family Resource Center provides information, amenities and comfort to parents and other caregivers, making it easier for you to remain with your child during a hospitalization.
Our locations (3)
Our team
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V. Mohan Reddy
MD
Pediatric heart surgeon -
Claudia Benkwitz
MD
Pediatric anesthesiologist -
Nicholas Davis
MD
Pediatric anesthesiologist -
Irfan Kathiriya
MD
Anesthesiologist -
Peter C. Kouretas
MD, PhD
Pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon -
Stephen Long
MD
Pediatric anesthesiologist -
Hung Gia Nguyen
MD
Anesthesiologist -
Kathryn Rouine-Rapp
MD
Anesthesiologist -
Vinod Sebastian
MBBS
Pediatric heart surgeon -
Daniel Sisti
MD
Pediatric anesthesiologist -
Naveen Swami
MBBS
Pediatric heart and lung surgeon -
Stephen Dwight Weston
MD
Anesthesiologist -
Malia Comstock
PNP, MS, CNS
Pediatric nurse practitioner -
Katie Felix
PA-C, MS
Physician assistant -
Lucas Fogarty
PA
Physician assistant -
Sarah Kabatt
NP, MSN
Nurse practitioner -
Kun Lu
PNP, MSN
Pediatric nurse practitioner -
Jacob Opoliner
CRNA, MSN
Nurse anesthetist -
Paula Price
PA-C, MPH
Physician assistant -
Turner Wiley
PNP, DNP, MSN
Pediatric nurse practitioner -
Reia Zimmer
PNP, RN, MSN
Pediatric nurse practitioner
Special programs
Awards & recognition
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Ranked among the nation's best in 11 specialties
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Best in Northern California for cardiology & heart surgery
Plan your visit
What to Bring
- Photo I.D.
- Health insurance card
- Insurance authorization, if required
- Doctor's referral, if required
- Recent test results related to your child's condition
- List of medications, including dosages, plus any your child is allergic to
- List of questions you may have
- Device or paper for taking notes
Related clinics (13)
Cardiac MRI & CT Imaging Program
Cardiology Clinic
Congenital Heart Disease (Fontan) Liver Clinic
Fetal Cardiovascular Program
Healthy Hearts & Minds Program
Heart Failure & Transplant Program
Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
Single Ventricle Comprehensive Program
Support services
Our research initiatives
Staff superheroes