Dr. Juan Pablo Umaña Joins the Miller School and UHealth as Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery

MIAMI, June 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Miller School of Medicine and UHealth – University of Miami Health System welcome Juan Pablo Umaña, M.D., an internationally recognized leader in cardiovascular surgery, as professor and Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, effective June 2. Known for his pioneering contributions to aortic and mitral valve repair, Dr. Umaña brings not only surgical excellence but also a deep commitment to patient-centered care.

Dr. Umaña established the most extensive aortic and mitral valve repair program in Latin America and founded the Latin-American Cardiovascular Surgery Conference. His arrival at the University of Miami signals an exciting new chapter for the institution's cardiovascular program.

"The University of Miami offers the ideal platform to pursue a lifelong vision — to build a world-class cardiovascular program focused not just on innovation, but on patients," Dr. Umaña said. "While UM is already recognized as a center of excellence for mitral valve surgery, there's an extraordinary opportunity to grow an aortic surgery program and create an integrated, collaborative hub for cardiovascular care."

"We are pleased to welcome someone of Dr. Umaña's caliber to the UHealth team," added Dipen J. Parekh, M.D., chief executive officer of UHealth and founding director of the Desai Sethi Urology Institute. "His expertise, commitment to innovation, and focus on training will elevate every aspect of our cardiovascular surgery program."

A Life of Learning and Leadership

Dr. Umaña earned his medical degree from the University of El Rosario in Bogotá, Colombia. He deepened his expertise through social service and research in England before completing advanced surgical training at Columbia University in New York City and Stanford University in California. His leadership at Fundación Cardioinfantil – Instituto de Cardiología transformed it into one of Latin America's premier cardiovascular centers. Most recently, he chaired the Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic Florida.

With more than 150 scientific publications and presentations, Dr. Umaña is a leading voice in global cardiovascular research. He was the co-inventor of the MitraClip, the first transcatheter mitral valve repair device used in clinical practice today, which allows the mitral valve to be repaired without opening the chest.

Read full press release. Link to Dr. Umaña's professional headshot.

SOURCE University of Miami Health System