Overview

David R. Jones, M.D., FACS: Chief, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery

The Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at the University of Virginia is one of the premiere clinical and research units in the Southeast. We perform over 2000 cardiothoracic procedures annually with many being performed using minimally-invasive techniques and cutting-edge technology. Examples of our expertise include minimally-invasive approaches for a number of procedures including ablation of atrial fibrillation, lung cancer and esophageal cancer resections, aortic valve replacements, and aortic stent grafting for aortic aneurysms. In addition, we have one of the largest mitral valve repair experiences on the East Coast and we have the busiest congenital heart surgery program in the State of Virginia.

Our faculty consists of superbly trained cardiothoracic surgeons who have a commitment to quality outcomes, excellence in patient care, and to the unique and individual needs of our patient’s families. Patients referred to the University of Virginia are often thought to be inoperable, very complicated, or high-risk. Many of these patients are successfully treated by our surgeons using state-of-the art technology that is not available in most other medical centers.

In November 2007, our Cardiovascular Center was selected as an award winner in the Thomson 100 Top Hospitals®: Cardiovascular Benchmarks for Success Study. In addition, our General Thoracic Surgery Program performs more chest surgery operations than any other program in the state and more than most programs in the nation. Our busy Congenital Heart Program has excellent results compared to national norms.

A unique aspect of our Divisional activities is the integration of novel research findings into the clinical care of our patients. Our faculty continues to receive numerous research and grant awards from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), The American Association of Cancer Research, industry, and various research foundations. We have a variety of both surgical and non-surgical clinical trials available and offer one of the largest clinical trial programs for a cardiothoracic surgical unit in the nation.

As Division Chief it is pleasure to welcome you to our Division and to share with you aspects of our clinical, research, and educational programs. We look forward to continuing to serve the patients, their families, and our referring physicians throughout the Commonwealth and the Southeast.

David R. Jones MD

George R. Minor Professor of Surgery

Division Chief, Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery