We Celebrate Dr. Accola’s 18,000th Cardiac Surgery!
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: October 15, 2025
In 2010, I became familiar with the name Dr. Kevin Accola. His patients, including Richard Cooper, Donna Wilson and Duane Hunt, had posted about this humble, heart valve expert at AdventHealth in Orlando, Florida.
So, I reached out to Dr. Accola to thank him for his service, to learn more about his practice, and to see if Dr. Accola had any interest in helping me build an educational website dedicated to valvular disorders like aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation. I remember the call as if it was yesterday. After hearing a few of my ideas, Dr. Accola said to me, “Adam, I love what you’re doing. It’s so important to educate patients – especially using a grassroots approach in which patients can talk to other patients and share their experiences.”
Fast forward to 2025…
Dr. Accola has been one of our greatest supporters during the past fifteen years. Time-and-time again, Dr. Accola has educated and empowered our patient community while providing superior care to many, many, many patients. So you know, Dr. Accola has performed over 8,000 heart valve replacement and heart valve repair operations throughout his extraordinary 30-year career.
For example, here is Dr. Accola answering a patient question from Amy Berger about the use of small incisions for valve therapy. It turns out that Amy ultimately had a successful aortic valve replacement surgery with Dr. Accola.
Many, Many, Many Thanks Dr. Accola!
As Dr. Accola celebrates his 18,000th cardiac surgery and his 30th year in cardiac surgery, I want to join the celebration and offer my thanks to this extraordinary man who has been such a wonderful source of encouragement over the years.
At LinkedIn, Roosevelt A., a fan of Dr. Accola’s posted:
“Today at AdventHealth Central Florida we celebrated Dr. Accola, his 18,000 surgeries and his 30+ years of service! You’ll absolutely be missed and I’m grateful to have witnessed your legacy of leading cardiac care in body, mind and spirit!”
I could not agree more. It has been a honor and privilege to work with and know Dr. Accola over the years! All the best to you and your family!
Related Links featuring Dr. Accola:
- Surgeon Q&A: Can Dacron Grafts Calcify After Bicuspid Aortic Valve Repair Surgery?
- Understanding Leaking Heart Valve with Dr. Kevin Accola
- Video: Top 12 Questions to Ask Your Surgeon
- Aortic Stenosis Progression: Top 5 Facts for Patient
Keep on tickin’ Dr. Accola!
Adam
Written by Adam Pick
- Patient & Website Founder
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