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Dr. Jay K. Bhama appointed to Section Chief and Program Director positions

Dr. Jay K. BhamaDr. Jay K. Bhama has been appointed the Section Chief of Adult Cardiac Surgery for the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Medical Director of the ECMO and Perfusion Programs. Dr. Bhama was recently promoted to full Professor in the Department of Surgery. He received his MD from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and completed his general surgery residency at Baylor in the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery. He completed cardiothoracic surgery residency at George Washington University Medical Center in Washington DC and Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. Following this, he pursued advanced cardiac surgery fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester followed by cardiothoracic transplant and mechanical circulatory support fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). Dr. Bhama then joined the faculty at UPMC for a 7-year tenure during which time he served as Associate Director of the Cardiothoracic Transplant and Artificial Heart Programs as well as Director of Cardiac Surgery at the VA Medical Center. Dr. Bhama was recruited to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in 2014 as an Associate Professor and the Surgical Director of Cardiac Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support Programs. During his time here at UIHC, Dr. Bhama has made numerous contributions to the growth and development of the adult cardiac surgery program in addition to the heart transplant and MCS program.

Assuming a larger role as the Section Chief of Adult Cardiac Surgery, Dr. Bhama will oversee the broad scope of operations of the section and its various programs. Dr. Bhama will also work closely with leaders in the Department of Surgery to develop a strong academic/research portfolio for the Section including clinical and translational research. As the Medical Director of the ECMO and Perfusion Programs, Dr. Bhama will provide administrative and clinical oversight of the programs and work closely with multidisciplinary leaders in further developing the many facets of the ECMO & Perfusion Programs including the ECMO transport service and educational programs. We are confident that Dr. Bhama's leadership will strengthen the adult cardiac section as well as the ECMO and Perfusion Programs through improved quality of clinical care, enhanced operational efficiencies, and growing volumes.

Date: 
Wednesday, December 13, 2017