Surgical Director of VAD & Transplant

STS; Carmel (IN); On-site; USD 400,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ascension St. Vincent Heart Failure Program is seeking an experienced Surgical Director of VAD & Transplant to lead and grow our advanced heart failure surgical services.

The program is a recognized Center of Excellence and Joint Commission certified. Lead and oversee durable and temporary VAD implantation, heart transplantation, and advanced mechanical circulatory support, while expanding regional referral relationships and ensuring exceptional outcomes.

Qualifications

• Board-certified CardioThoracic Surgeon.
• Expertise in Ventricular Assist Device implantation and management.
• Heart transplantation experience or leadership in transplant programs preferred.
• Commitment to quality, research, and multidisciplinary team-based care.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic vision and oversight for VAD & Transplant services.
• Advance growth in mechanical circulatory support and transplant volumes.
• Oversee VAD implantation procedures and heart transplantation protocols.
• Strengthen collaboration with Heart Failure cardiology, intensivists, and the Heart Center.
• Lead or participate in transplant and MCS clinical trials and innovation.

Skills

Leadership

Quality & Research

Team-based care

Education

Fellowship training Thoracic Surgery

Job description

The Ascension St. Vincent Heart Failure Program, the largest Transplant & VAD program in the state is seeking an experienced Surgical Director of VAD & Transplant to lead and grow our advanced heart failure surgical services. Our program is a recognized Center of Excellence and is certified by The Joint Commission. As a quaternary medical center, Ascension Indianapolis Hospital is a destination cardiac program with a focused commitment to advanced heart failure therapies and regional referral excellence.

• Largest Transplant & VAD program in Indiana
• Accredited Center of Excellence
• Joint Commission certified
• 30+ cardiac transplants annually
• 60+ short- and long-term mechanical circulatory assist devices implanted annually
• Active cardiac surgery research program, including DCD donor trials utilizing the TransMedics Organ Care SystemJoin a team of 6 cardiac surgeons, including 2 transplant surgeons
• Evenly distributed call schedule: 1:3 transplant call/1:7 primary surgical call
• Perform and oversee: Durable and temporary VAD implantation, Heart transplantation (including protocols), Advanced mechanical circulatory support, Complex cardiac surgical procedures

Leadership & Strategy:

Provide strategic vision and operational oversight for VAD & Transplant services, Advance growth in mechanical circulatory support and transplant volumes, Maintain superior clinical outcomes and regulatory excellence, Strengthen multidisciplinary collaboration with Heart Failure cardiology, intensivists, and the Heart Center, Expand regional referral relationships across St. Vincent's hospitals

Research & Innovation:

Lead and participate in transplant and MCS clinical trials, Expand DCD donor utilization, Drive innovation in advanced heart failure therapies

Our Vision:

As a Quaternary Medical Center, Ascension St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital is committed to building a true destination cardiac program centered on advanced heart failure excellence. Through close collaboration across cardiac sub-specialties and the Heart Center, we deliver exceptional outcomes across the full cardiovascular spectrum. By leveraging our strengths in mechanical circulatory support, complex surgical interventions, and transplant readiness, we provide a seamless continuum of care serving as the regional referral hub for patients with advanced cardiac disease while driving growth of the overall cardiovascular service line.

Qualifications:

Board-certified CardioThoracic Surgeon, Demonstrated expertise in: Ventricular Assist Device implantation and management, Heart transplantation, Advanced mechanical circulatory support systems, Leadership experience in program development or medical directorship preferred, Commitment to quality, research, and team-based care

• Employed position within a nonprofit health system
• Fellowship training Thoracic Surgery
• Eligible for Indiana state medical licensure and DEA registration

About the Facility

• 840 bed hospital
• Level one trauma center
• Serving a population of approximately one million
• Integrated referral network
• Part of Ascension, a national nonprofit Catholic health system

Why Physicians Choose Ascension

• Physician-led, collaborative culture
• Long-term practice stability
• National network with local autonomy
• Mission-centered care rooted in service
• Work/life balance