Dr. Stephen Chiu: Heart Surgeon Spotlight

For Stephen Chiu, MD, the decision to pursue cardiac surgery was inspired by the opportunity to make a profound and lasting impact on patients' lives.

“The opportunity to uniquely restore a patient's quality of life and extend their life led me to become a cardiac surgeon,” says Dr. Chiu.

That commitment to improving lives continues to guide his work today. Whether repairing a heart valve or treating complex cardiovascular disease, Dr. Chiu finds the greatest satisfaction in helping patients recover and regain their health.

“I love being able to correct a valve or heart problem, see heart function return to normal, and have that translate into patients feeling better and living better and longer lives after they are recovered from surgery,” he says.

A Specialized Focus on Heart Valve Repair

Heart valve surgery is one of Dr. Chiu's primary clinical interests. He specializes in the repair of the aortic, mitral and tricuspid valves, with a strong emphasis on restoring the heart's natural anatomy whenever possible.

“I believe that restoring the form and function of the valve and its supporting structures to as close as possible to native anatomy results in the best longitudinal outcomes,” Dr. Chiu explains.

By focusing on durable repairs and preserving normal heart function, Dr. Chiu strives to provide patients with long-term, durable solutions that support both their immediate recovery and future heart health.

Comprehensive Care for Complex Cardiovascular Conditions

In addition to treating valvular heart disease, Dr. Chiu performs surgery for coronary artery disease, aortic disease, and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary disease (CTEPH) through a specialized procedure known as pulmonary thromboendarterectomy.

Because these conditions are often complex and require expertise from multiple specialties, Dr. Chiu believes that collaboration is critical to achieving the best possible outcomes.

“All of these diseases require team-based approaches to diagnosis and treatment, which I believe leads to the best outcomes for patients,” he says.

This multidisciplinary approach allows patients to benefit from coordinated care plans that bring together surgeons, cardiologists, imaging specialists and other experts dedicated to delivering exceptional results.

Advancing the Future of Valve Care Through Research

Alongside his clinical practice, Dr. Chiu is actively involved in research aimed at improving the treatment of heart valve disease.

In addition to his work with heart valve disease, Dr. Chiu was the 2025 recipient of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons’ Research Award for his groundbreaking work advancing clinical understanding of CTEPH.

His research also seeks to understand the factors that contribute to durability of valve repair and replacement procedures and the mechanisms that contribute to aortic aneurysm development.

Through this work, Dr. Chiu hopes to enhance the understanding of cardiovascular disease and help develop strategies that improve patient outcomes for years to come.

Why Northwestern Medicine?

For Dr. Chiu, the answer is simple.

“We have a special team that is passionately devoted to taking care of patients.”

That culture of collaboration, innovation and patient-centered care is a key reason he chose to practice at Northwestern Medicine, where specialists work together to provide advanced cardiovascular care tailored to each patient's needs.

Life Beyond the Operating Room

Outside of work, Dr. Chiu enjoys traveling and spending time with his wife, family and friends.

A Commitment to Patients

From complex valve repairs and aortic surgery to innovative research and multidisciplinary care, Dr. Chiu is committed to helping patients achieve the best possible outcomes. His dedication to restoring heart health, combined with a passion for advancing the field of cardiac surgery, reflects the patient-first philosophy that defines his work every day.

To contact Dr. Stephen Chiu, please click here or call (312) 779-1287.

Page last updated: August 13, 2026