Jefferson Appoints Surgeon Dr. Joseph E. Bavaria as Executive Director of the Bruce and Robbi Toll Heart and Vascular Institute and Chair of the Department of Cardiac Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University

Dr. Bavaria formally joined Jefferson Health and the University's Sidney Kimmel Medical College on January 15, 2025

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Jefferson kicked off American Heart Month and demonstrated the organization's commitment to cardiovascular care with the appointment of Joseph E. Bavaria, MD, FACS, FRCS as Executive Director, Bruce and Robbi Toll Heart and Vascular Institute at Jefferson Health and Chair of the Department of Cardiac Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University's Sidney Kimmel Medical College (SKMC). Dr. Bavaria brings a wealth of leadership and surgical expertise to Jefferson, bolstering Jefferson's ability to advance the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of heart and vascular conditions. 

"This key appointment underscores Jefferson's dedication to providing the highest quality cardiovascular care to our communities and across all of our campuses, including all Jefferson Health locations and the newly integrated Lehigh Valley Health Network," said Baligh Yehia, MD, MPP, MSc, FACP, President of Jefferson Health and Chief Transformation Officer of the enterprise. "Dr. Bavaria's leadership will ensure that we continue to provide the highest quality cardiovascular care, improving outcomes for our patients." 

Dr. Bavaria will lead a comprehensive cardiovascular program encompassing Cardiac Surgery, Cardiology, Vascular Surgery, Cardiac Anesthesia and Vascular Medicine at Jefferson's Bruce and Robbi Toll Heart and Vascular Institute. This unified structure will foster enhanced collaboration among care teams, streamline the patient experience and expand access to promising clinical trials. It will also catalyze cross-disciplinary research and education across divisions, disciplines, and clinical sites.

"I am honored to join Jefferson Health and Thomas Jefferson University at this pivotal time of growth and innovation. I see tremendous opportunity to advance cardiovascular care across the system. The organization's focus on integrating cardiovascular services presents a unique opportunity to enhance patient care. I look forward to contributing to Jefferson's mission of bringing world-class care to those most in need," said Joseph E. Bavaria, MD, FACS, FRCS. 

The appointment coincides with the establishment of a new Department of Cardiac Surgery in the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, led by Dr. Bavaria. 

"We welcome Dr. Bavaria to our Sidney Kimmel Medical College and congratulate him on his appointment as Executive Director of the Bruce & Robbi Toll Heart and Vascular Institute. Dr. Bavaria's groundbreaking contributions to cardiovascular medicine will undoubtedly inspire and shape future generations of surgeons, elevating cardiac surgery instruction to new heights of excellence," said Susan C. Aldridge, PhD, President, Thomas Jefferson University. 

"Dr. Bavaria's unparalleled expertise brings immense value to Jefferson and the College," said Said Ibrahim, MD, MBA, MPH, Anthony F. and Gertrude M. DePalma Dean of Thomas Jefferson University's Sidney Kimmel Medical College and president of Jefferson University Physicians (JUP). "His deep knowledge and experience will ensure our learners are exceptionally prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities of modern cardiac surgery with confidence and skill." 

Dr. Bavaria joined Jefferson from Penn Medicine where he served as Vice Chief, Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Director of the Thoracic Aortic Surgery Program, Co-Director of the Transcatheter Valve Program and Founder and Co-Director of the Penn Aorta Center. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree and Medical Degree from Tulane University in New Orleans and completed his surgical internship and residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and completed additional residencies in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. 

Dr. Bavaria has performed more than 9,000 open heart procedures in his distinguished career. In particular, he is an expert in treating thoracic aortic aneurysms and repairing and replacing aortic valves. He also is a skilled lecturer and educator and has held national leadership positions including president of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, president of the Thoracic Surgery Foundation, board member of the Heart Valve Society, and executive committee member of the European Association of CardioThoracic Surgery. Dr. Bavaria has also played a pivotal role in helping to establish national treatment guidelines. 

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Bavaria, please call 1-800-JEFF-NOW or visit his online profile Joseph E Bavaria MD | Jefferson Health.

About Jefferson
Nationally ranked, Jefferson, which is principally located in the greater Philadelphia region, Lehigh Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, is reimagining health care and higher education to create unparalleled value. Jefferson is more than 65,000 people strong, dedicated to providing the highest-quality, compassionate clinical care for patients; making our communities healthier and stronger; preparing tomorrow's professional leaders for 21st-century careers; and creating new knowledge through basic/programmatic, clinical and applied research. Thomas Jefferson University, home of Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Jefferson College of Nursing, and the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, dates back to 1824 and today comprises 10 colleges and three schools offering 200+ undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 8,300 students. Jefferson Health, nationally ranked as one of the top 15 not-for-profit health care systems in the country and the largest provider in the Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley areas, serves patients through millions of encounters each year at 32 hospital campuses and more than 700 outpatient and urgent care locations throughout the region. Jefferson Health Plans is a not-for-profit managed health care organization providing a broad range of health coverage options in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for more than 35 years.

SOURCE Jefferson Health