Pediatric Heart Surgery Team at Betty Irene Moore Children's Heart Center

Heart defects in children are complex and unique, and require the expertise of many specialists from a variety of disciplines. The Moore Children’s Heart Center has developed a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to caring for your child who may need cardiothoracic surgery.

Our team performs more than 600 heart surgeries each year (significantly more than at other children’s hospitals in the country) and despite of the complexity of pediatric heart conditions we see, we manage to have remarkable results—for children of all ages.

Our Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery team members are certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, the American Board of Surgery, and/or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons. All our heart surgery doctors teach at the Stanford University School of Medicine.

Specialists working hand-in-hand

The Moore Children’s Heart Center surgery team draws on the expert aid and assistance of:

• Pediatric cardiologists: Physicians who specialize in medical, or nonsurgical, approaches to heart disease and defects in infants, children, and adolescents.
• Neonatologists: Physicians who specialize in the care of newborns, particularly those born prematurely or with very low birth weight.
• Specialists in related medical disciplines: For example heart imaging (echocardiography) and the electrical properties of the heart (electrophysiology).
• Anesthesiologists: Physicians who specialize in the unique pain-control needs of children undergoing heart procedures.
• Infectious disease specialists: Physicians who are expert at preventing and controlling bacteria and other infectious agents that can invade children who have undergone major surgery.
• Clinical nurse specialists and nursing staff.
• Respiratory therapists: Clinical experts in supporting healthy breathing, particularly after surgery.
• Aerodigestive and airway reconstruction specialists: Physicians who specialize in the disorders of the airway including the voice box and vocal cords, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, as well as disorders of breathing, voice, feeding, and swallowing.
• Nutritionists: Specialists in meeting the precise nutritional needs of children undergoing heart surgery.
• Pharmacists: Specialists in managing the multiple medications required in treating children’s heart diseases.
• Social workers: Professionals who provide emotional support and community networking for patients and their families.
• Support staff: Specialists in handling the many administrative and personal details of care and treatment.