Hello! My name is Dr. Marc Gillinov and I am a cardiac surgeon having graduated from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1988.
To date, I have performed approximately 4,330 (average 361/year; through 2009 since at Cleveland Clinic) cardiac surgeries, of which 2,648 (average 221/year; through 2009 since at Cleveland Clinic) involved heart valve procedures. I regularly perform surgery at hospitals including Cleveland Clinic.
I believe my greatest strength as a surgeon is:
"Several of my close family members have received cardiac care and heart surgery at Cleveland Clinic. Their outcomes were great. I approach each patient as if he or she were a family member. I want everybody to have the same outcome and excellent, empathy-filled experience as my own family"
Specific to cardiac surgery, my specialties include:
minimally invasive mitral valve, aortic valve and tricuspid valve repair,
robotic heart valve surgery, high risk mitral valve surgery, heart valve repair and replacement,
surgical treatment and minimally invasive surgery for atrial fibrillation, coronary artery bypass surgery
Relative to heart valve research, I have the following interests:
Mitral Valve Repair
Minimally Invasive Valve Repair
Atrial Fibrillation
I have relationships with each of the following insurance companies:
We accept most health insurance
For more information: http://my.clevelandclinic.org/patients/billing_legal/insurance/default.aspx
To help you learn more about me, I have uploaded the video below. To watch the video, simply press the play button and please make sure the volume on your computer is turned up.
Here is what my patients say about me:
"After much research, my husband and I concluded that Dr. Marc Gillinov was the surgeon we wanted for my aortic valve replacement. We traveled from Wisconsin to Cleveland and met with Dr. Gillinov two days before the operation. We were extremely impressed with his warm, reassuring manner. He explained precisely what he was going to do, and gave my husband and me great confidence about the outcome of the procedure. The surgery went extremely well, and my recovery was remarkably quick. Two days after surgery I was sitting in the Cleveland Clinic's rooftop garden, eating ice cream and telephoning friends to give them the good news. I was discharged after just four days, and attribute that to Dr. Gillinov's skill as a surgeon and compassion as a caregiver. I can't recommend Dr. Gillinov and the Cleveland Clinic highly enough!"
--Lisa Murray
Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Median Sternotomy, 04/07/2011
"Perfect results. Didn't see him much. But, when I did, he was very attentive. He's got to be one of the best... if not the best."
--William Foster
Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, Mini-Thoracotomy / Port Access, 03/11/2011
"Although I did not have much interaction with Dr. Marc Gillinov, I felt confident in his abilities. He is in the forefront of new techniques and has developed some himself -- which I think helped me have a great outcome. "
--Stacy Keese
Tricuspid Valve, Valve Repair, Mini-Thoracotomy / Port Access, 01/18/2011
"After much research, Dr. Gillinov was my choice to perform the mitral valve repair. After meeting with him, I felt extremely comfortable with his approach to my problem and he really seemed to be a down to earth person who was extremely confident in being able to repair my mitral valve. Bottom line, Dr. Gillinov is a fantastic surgeon but truly a special person."
--Dr Thomas Lentz
Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, 01/06/2011
"Dr. Gillinov is a down to earth person who is able to explain information in a comforting way. Although he is confident, hes comes across as a humble person. He and his staff at the Cleveland Clinic did a fantastic job. My hospital stay was four days. It was worth the trip from Texas."
--Randy Stephens
Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 12/14/2010
"I highly recommend Dr Gillinov. He made regular visits and explained my surgery and recovery completely. Eight months after surgery, I went hiking with my son in the Rocky Mountains. Our longest hike was 10 miles at 10k feet."
"Dr. Gillinov was a wonderful surgeon who exceeded my expectations. Other surgeons gave me a 70%-90% chance of having my valve repaired instead of replaced. Dr. Gillinov gave me a 97% chance. He answered all of my questions and made me feel very confident and comfortable with having this surgery. I could not have asked for anyone better."
--Susan Evans
Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, Median Sternotomy, 09/29/2010
"Dr. Gillinov introduced himself by his first name, Marc. In my opinion, this told me that he was secure enough about his self and his skills. His bedside manner and results were great ."
"I really felt confident in Dr. Gillinov. He was very helpful explaining my procedure to us. I am still healing, but everyday I feel better."
--Denise Valore
Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, Median Sternotomy, 08/12/2010
"Dr. Marc Gillinov was extremely competent in handling my surgery. I was contacted by his office team in April and arrangements were made for my surgery following a three day consultation at the Cleveland Clinic. I met with the cardiologist upon arrival, had follow-up work ups including my heart catheterization, all of which validated my need for replacement surgery for my aortic valve and most likely repair of my mitral valve. This was all arranged following medical consultation with my cardiology team in St. Louis following my treatment for bacterial endocarditis in 2009. I was very pleased with the consult with Dr. Gillinov on Tuesday, and my subsequent surgery on Wednesday went very well. The team was well prepared, and thoroughly reviewed the procedures with family members who were kept informed throughout my surgery. The surgery was successful, and Dr. Gillinov was very personable in his bedside manner as well as in pre- and post-operative visits. His follow-up upon my return to St. Louis with my medical team was also excellent. I am grateful that I made the trip to Cleveland and feel blessed to have had Dr. Gillinov as my surgeon. His care was superb!"
"Dr. Gillinov was the best! I researched this very hard before I made this difficult decision. The Cleveland Clinic facility was top notch! I had surgery on Wednesday and was out on Saturday. I was back to work in less than 2 weeks."
--Dr Jeffry Pirofsky
Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, 08/04/2010
"Very confident and efficient. Listened to my concerns and easily agreed on best approach. One of the absolute best!"
--Neil Hester
Aortic Valve, Median Sternotomy, 07/14/2010
"Dr. Gillinov and his team at The Cleveland Clinic were outstanding. I selected Dr Gillinov as my surgeon three years ago. When my valve had finally deteriorated to the point of surgery I was ready to go. Dr Gillinov did a wonderful job in my surgery, answered all my questions and kept my family looped in. Cleveland Clinic and the staff are the best in the world, bar none. I was most fortunate to have been treated there, and would highly recommend my doctor and hospital to anyone having heart surgery."
--Mark Long
Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Median Sternotomy, Root Replacement, 05/05/2010
"I AM VERY HAPPY WITH THE RESULTS,I NEVER FELT BETTER. DR. GILLINOV IS A VERY KNOWLEGEABLE AND
INTELLIGENT SURGEON."
--CHUCK BRIEL
Tricuspid Valve, Valve Replacement, 05/04/2010
"It was the best of a bad experience. Dr. Gillinov and the Cleveland Clinic gave me the courage and confidence that I was in the best of care. And I was."
--Sandy Gilbert
Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 04/13/2010
"I did not meet Dr. Gillinov until the day before the surgery as we traveled from Southwest Florida to Ohio. We knew at once that being in the Cleveland Clinic, with Dr Gillinov as my surgeon, was the only place I needed to be for a successful surgery. Doctor Gillinov was humble, upbeat and so positive. "
"Dr. Gillinov was an excellent surgeon. He fully answered all questions prior to surgery. He visited me once after initial recovery. My surgery was on Friday and I was discharged Tuesday morning. I've had no post-op problems. At Cleveland Clinic surgeons have a defined team for surgery and recovery. His entire team was excellent."
--Dave Fuduric
Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, Median Sternotomy, 02/12/2010
"Dr. Gillinov and his staff were very professional, caring and thorough. The staff at the Cleveland Clinic is outstanding. They make you feel like you are their only patient and that your health is the most important thing to them. Dr. Gillinov is a kind, brilliant, humble surgeon with excellent bedside manner. We (me, my husband, my in-laws, and my 2 small children) traveled from Florida for the surgery and I was home recovering 7 days after surgery. My scar is quickly becoming unnoticeable, and it's only been 5 months since my surgery. I will be forever grateful to Dr. Gillinov and the entire staff at the Clinic."
--Jocelyn Slone
Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, Median Sternotomy, 11/30/2009
"My experience with Dr. Gillinov could not have been better. Before surgery, he spent nearly an hour providing us information and answering all our questions. Post-surgery, he visited with us in my room on three occasions. Dr. Gillinov is a kind and compassionate man."
--Stephen Cuffman
Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Mini Sternotomy, 10/19/2009
"I have only the highest praise for Dr. Gillinov. He is a knowledgeable, highly skilled surgeon who also demonstrates a caring bedside manner. In my case, he and his team performed an aortic valve replacement and single bypass. I am very pleased with the result. I am healthy, active and feel great(even my scar is barely noticeable after 7 months). "
--Marilyn Scamman
Aortic Valve, Median Sternotomy, 10/18/2009
"Dr. Gillinov is an incredible guy. He is "Down to earth", very pragmatic and practical. Extremely proficient and skilled with complicated and difficult procedures."
--Scott Barton
Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, Mini-Thoracotomy / Port Access, 07/29/2009
"Dr. Gillinov represents for me, one of the worlds foremost, leading edge cardio-thoracic surgeons. He is a gifted, physician, who respects his patients, and his Hippocratic oath. He embodies the excellence in care, skill and judgement that I as a health care provider myself, respect enormously. I found Dr. Gillinov to be a humble, down to earth, helping person. I am forever indebted to him for giving me more life by virtue of his replacing my severely stenosed bicuspid aortic valve. I am doing well! Thank you Marc!"
--Dr. Bernard Lowenthal
Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 07/19/2009
"Comfortable to talk to and ask questions, performed minimally invasive surgery through 3" or so incision very discreet. I liked him very much and surgery has been a success. He recommended my cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic who is fantastic too. I would highly recommend Dr. Gillinov especially for small incision techniques."
"We met with Dr Gillinov before the surgery and he explained the procedure very thoroughly and answered all our questions to our satisfaction. He kept in constant contact with my husband during the entire surgery by way of text message on a neck-worn phone. I had two doctors, two physicians assistants, four nurses, and three aids taking care of me the eight days I was ICU and Step-Down care. Dr. Marc Gillinov and the Cleveland Clinic is a great place to go for heart surgery as far as I am concerned!"
--Janet Parks
Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Median Sternotomy, 06/08/2009
"I was very happy with Dr. Gillinov before and after the surgery. He took time to explain things to me. I am as happy with the results as I can be. I was hoping for repair and less invasive method but neither could be done."
--Sue Mayville
Mitral Valve, Valve Replacement, 01/07/2009
"A great experience considering the circumstances.
This was my second mitral valve surgery in the past five years and thus more complex.
Dr. Gillinov was upfront and patient with my many questions addressing some of them before they were asked.
Care at the Cleveland Clinic was top shelf.
Dr. Gillinov was supposed to see me prior to my discharge but was in surgery at the time and I regret not thanking him in person for what he did for me.
Thank you Dr. Gillinov."
--Richard Brint
Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, 11/21/2008
"Dr. Gillinov was great! He was a good listener and even looked at valve options that I was suggesting. Just be ready, he will tell you like it is. Which is an approach I like. Three years later and things are going well. The Cleveland Clinic was an added plus. The nurses are awesome on the heart floor!"
"TOP SHELF! Dr. Gillinov was thorough, informative and personable at all times--pre-counseling and post surgery. I read in the paper the other day that he performed the aortic valve replacement on the comedian, Robin Williams who no doubt had his pick of the litter. I highly recommend Dr. Gillinov."
