Dedicated to Outstanding Patient Care

As a large tertiary referral center and the only academic medical center in Columbus and, the Ohio State cardiac surgery team treats the most complex patient cases from central Ohio and the surrounding regions. Patients are treated in the state-of-the-art Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital, a freestanding hospital dedicated to cardiovascular care, and have access to a robust research program with our sister research institute, the Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute.

Outstanding Cardiac Surgical Care

  • 1,135 cardiac surgeries (CY25)

  • Completed more than 770 heart transplants and 750 lung transplants - central Ohio's only adult heart and lung transplant program

  • Dedicated Aortic Center, combining the expertise of cardiac and vascular surgery for complex aortic cases

  • 150+ cardiovascular research projects underway

  • 55,000+ annual cardiovascular admissions and outpatient visits

  • 24-hour access for ECMO consultations and patient transfer management

  • Our patient satisfaction scores routinely remain above the 98th percentile

  • Rapidly growing ambulatory footprint, offering more Ohioans access to Ohio State care

Hear From Our Patients
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Double lung transplant give Ohio State student a new chance to live

Ella DuBro was diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension after her first year at Ohio State. As her condition progressed, she required and successfully received a double lung transplant from Dr. Henn in 2024, and is now doing well.

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Aortic dissection targets two siblings, saved by same surgeon

When Larry Smith felt a "pop" in his chest and went to the hospital, he and his brother Samuel realized it was a familiar situation. Six months earlier, their sister Earlie had experienced the same issue, treated by the same surgeon, Dr. Matthew Henn, who was on call both times for their rare aortic dissection.

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Man with Marfan syndrome on road to recovery after lifesaving heart and vascular surgeries

22 year-old Jared Kaiser, faced a life-threatening tear in his aorta. Through the Aortic Center at the Ohio State Heart and Vascular Center, cardiac and vascular surgery experts came together to perform several surgeries to save him, ultimately replacing his entire aorta.

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Dr. Kukbin Choi in operation room wearing surgical loops

From surgeon to patient: open-heart surgery’s humbling lesson

Dr. Christopher Iobst, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Nationwide Children’s Hosptial, had a heart attack at work despite his healthy lifestyle. He received emergency care from Ohio State cardiac surgeon Dr. Kukbin Choi, which was crucial to his recovery. Dr. Iobst now emphasizes the importance of self-care and regular checkups for physicians.

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Patient Success Story: Scott Griffith

It's common for a patient to recover from a major medical surgery with a renewed energy — a desire to live life to the fullest. And although Scott led an incredibly active life before having a heart transplant, he’s lived plenty of meaningful moments in the years since.
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Returning to life after abdominal aortic aneurysm

Paul Colgan from Westerville, Ohio, was living with a congenital heart defect. After collapsing, he discovered he had an abdominal aortic aneurysm, requiring open heart surgery. Treated on Valentine's Day 2023, Paul credits his health to the care teams at Ohio State’s Heart and Vascular Center.

 

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