UAB Cardiothoracic Surgery Annual Report 2015-16 UAB Medicine Cardiothoracic Surgery 2015/16 Annual | Page 2

Dear Colleagues:
The UAB Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery is delighted to share this 2015 annual report,
which features information on our surgical activities, outcomes, excellent quality of care, and
ongoing research efforts devoted to cardiac and thoracic disease. Our mission to improve
the cardiovascular health and well-being of society, particularly the citizens of Alabama, is
achieved by providing exceptional care that is both patient- and family-centric. In addition
to our focus on patient care, we also provide an environment that supports the education
of health professionals and encourages advanced research to further medical science.
Furthermore, the Division has aligned itself with UAB Health System’s AMC21 strategic goals,
which position us to be the Preferred Academic Medical Center of the 21st Century.
The Division is widely known for clinical and surgical excellence as well as major research initiatives. UAB
Cardiothoracic Surgery faculty, staff, and researchers contribute to our institution’s national reputation for highvolume and quality adult cardiac, pediatric, and thoracic surgery; excellence in cardiac and lung transplantation;
and progress in outcomes research.
The history of the Division spans nearly 50 years of innovative technological developments and national recognition
for patient care. The Division includes 13 faculty members with unique skills necessary to deliver care for patients
across the entire life cycle, focusing on conditions ranging from congenital heart disease to acquired end-stage
heart and lung disease. UAB Cardiothoracic Surgery began in the early 1950s with Drs. Leland Clark and Champ
Lyons. Dr. John Kirklin, MD, joined in 1966 as the division director and chairman of the Department of Surgery,
leading UAB to national prominence in the field of cardiothoracic surgery for both adults and children.
From the inception of cardiothoracic surgery, UAB has been treating cardiothoracic patients from the state of
Alabama along with national and international referrals. Our delivery of care extends physically across the campus
of UAB Health System, encompassing the outpatient facility The Kirklin Clinic of UAB Hospital, the main UAB
Hospital, and Children’s of Alabama hospital. This connection of facilities allows for a single platform of health
care delivery by dedicated specialists in cardiothoracic disease, advanced practitioners, and staff, all of whom are
devoted to providing a multidisciplinary approach to the entire spectrum of cardiac and thoracic disease.
In 2015 alone, UAB‘s cardiothoracic surgeons performed more than 1,000 adult cardiac surgeries, greater than
1,400 thoracic surgeries, and more than 350 congenital cardiac operations. This large and continuous volume of
cardiothoracic surgery procedures provides an outstanding opportunity for recruiting national and international
experts in every aspect of cardiothoracic surgery and a superior platform for resident training.
Maintaining superior outcomes is of upmost priority in all areas of cardiothoracic surgery, and UAB’s reputation
for clinical and outcomes research continues to be a key focus. The Division has received more than $15 million in
funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and participates in numerous clinical trials.
Thank you for your interest in UAB Cardiothoracic Surgery. We are confident that you will find outstanding care and
excellent outcomes.

James K. Kirklin
Professor and Director,
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
UAB Medicine
Children’s of Alabama