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Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery Welcome to the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery of Wake Forest University As part of the Heart Center at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, We are committed to expertly providing the most advanced and compassionate services to our patients This site is designed for the practicing clinician, resident physician, and cardiothoracic surgical patient. Cardiothoracic Surgery in the News Wake Forest Baptist Receives Three-Star Rating from Society of Thoracic Surgeons  (3/18/08) Wake Forest Baptist Doctors Get Funding to Study Heart Surgery in Diabetic Patients  (3/5/08) Wake Forest Baptist Awarded Three Stars and Higher Efficiency Designation as a UnitedHealth Premium® Cardiac Specialty Center for Cardiac Surgery  (12/19/07) Short History of the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery Wake Forest University School of Medicine Winston-Salem, North Carolina Training in thoracic surgery at this center began in 1949 under the chairmanship of Dr. H. H. Bradshaw whose primary interest was in that specialty. Steady growth in clinical activities provided a wealth of teaching opportunities for the developing specialty. Succeeding chairmen have included Dr. Richard T. Myers, Dr. Frank R. Johnston, Dr. A. Robert Cordell, Dr. John W. Hammon, Jr., Dr. D. Glenn Pennington, and the present chairman, Dr. Neal D. Kon. Administratively, the Section of Cardiothoracic Surgery became the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery under Dr. A. Robert Cordell's chairmanship. The scope of clinical activities with enlarged academic staff has provided extensive training opportunities for the thoracic residents. Open cardiac procedures began in 1958 and have always included pediatric and adult patients. Laboratory research has flourished throughout the department's history with interest centering upon the effects of perfusion, myocardial preservation, and clinical studies of long-term perfusion sequela in patients. Valve surgery has been a prominent part of the clinical experience with more emphasis in recent years upon tissue valve techniques. The environment thus created has contributed significantly to advancement of the specialty. Opportunities for clinical teaching and learning with participation in both clinical and basic research studies produce a wealth of experience for trainees and allow graduates to become the "complete" thoracic surgeon. Dr. A. Robert Cordell    Webcasts: Watch videos of the cardiothoracic surgeons at Wake Forest  University Baptist Medical Center performing heart surgeries                                                                                    Pediatric Heart            Mitral Valve                      Total Aortic                    Surgeon Repairs           Repair                      Root Replacement                  Heart Defect                              View Webcast                    View Webcast                          View Webcast