Indiana University Health Joins Our Community!

Great news! I am excited to announce that Indiana University Health (IU Health) has become the newest sponsor of HeartValveSurgery.com!

IU Health is home to one of the highest-volume heart and vascular programs in the United States. Through its unique partnership with the Indiana University School of Medicine, IU Health combines advanced clinical care, groundbreaking research, innovative technology and multidisciplinary expertise to treat patients with heart valve disease and other complex cardiovascular conditions.

Advanced Heart Valve Care at IU Health 

The heart valve specialists at IU Health provide a comprehensive range of surgical, minimally invasive and transcatheter therapies for patients with aortic, mitral and tricuspid valve disease.

Treatment options include heart valve repair and replacement, minimally invasive valve surgery, transcatheter aortic valve replacement, commonly known as TAVR, complex reoperative surgery, valve-sparing aortic root procedures and the Ross Procedure. IU Health also provides specialized care for patients with aortic aneurysms, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease and structural heart conditions.

As an academic health system, IU Health gives patients access to multidisciplinary evaluations, clinical trials and new approaches to cardiovascular diagnosis and treatment. The program’s collaboration with the Indiana University School of Medicine also supports continued research, physician education and the development of innovative therapies for heart disease.

Expanding Patient Education and Access to Specialized Care

“We are excited to partner with HeartValveSurgery.com to provide patients and their families with trusted information about heart valve disease and the full range of treatment options available today,” said Dr. Sara Pereira, the Division Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at IU Health. “By combining patient education with personalized, multidisciplinary care, we can help patients better understand their diagnoses, participate in treatment decisions and move forward with greater confidence.”

Dr. Sara Pereira

Dr. Pereira is an experienced cardiac surgeon whose clinical specialties include minimally invasive and transcatheter valve procedures, reoperative cardiac surgery and multi-arterial coronary artery bypass grafting. She also serves as Co-Director of the Cardiovascular Institute, a partnership between IU Health and Indiana University School of Medicine that brings together highly skilled physicians, researchers, and educators into close collaboration to provide world-class care and improve the health of patients and communities across Indiana.

This commitment to education closely aligns with the mission of HeartValveSurgery.com—to help patients and caregivers become informed, connect with experienced specialists and navigate every stage of the heart valve journey with confidence.

Innovation in Minimally Invasive Heart Valve Surgery

IU Health continues to expand its capabilities in minimally invasive cardiac surgery and enhanced recovery protocols under the leadership of Dr. Marc Gerdisch, Director of Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery.

“Heart valve patients benefit tremendously when they have access to clear educational resources and experienced specialists who understand the complexity of their condition,” said Dr. Gerdisch. “Our relationship with HeartValveSurgery.com will help us connect with patients earlier, share important advances in heart valve repair and minimally invasive surgery, and ensure that every patient understands the options that may be appropriate for them.”

Dr. Marc Gerdisch

Dr. Gerdisch is internationally recognized for his expertise in heart valve repair, minimally invasive surgery, atrial fibrillation surgery, complex reoperations and innovative heart valve technologies. He joined IU Health in April 2026 after developing a nationally recognized heart valve program that participated in pivotal clinical trials and first-in-human device procedures. At HeartValveSurgery.com, Dr. Gerdisch has over 125 patient reviews.

Meet the IU Health Cardiac Surgery Team

IU Health has assembled an experienced team of cardiac surgeons who provide individualized care for patients with heart valve disease and other cardiovascular conditions.

In addition to Dr. Sara Pereira and Dr. Marc Gerdisch, the adult cardiac surgery team includes Dr. Lola Chabtini, Dr. Joel Corvera, Dr. Kashif Saleem and Dr. Yujiro Yokoyama.

Together with interventional cardiologists, cardiovascular imaging specialists, anesthesiologists, nurses and other healthcare professionals, the team evaluates each patient’s condition and develops a personalized treatment strategy based on the patient’s anatomy, health, lifestyle and long-term goals.

Explore the New IU Health Microsite

To help our community learn more about the program, we have launched a dedicated Indiana University Health Heart Valve Microsite at HeartValveSurgery.com.

Through the new microsite, patients and caregivers can:

• Learn about the IU Health heart valve program

• Meet its cardiac surgeons and cardiovascular specialists

• Explore surgical, minimally invasive and transcatheter therapies

• Watch educational videos featuring IU Health physicians

• Review patient stories and experiences

• Learn about clinical research and innovative treatment options

• Download a free hospital guide

• Request an appointment with the heart valve team

Thanks to IU Health!

On behalf of our entire patient and caregiver community, I would like to thank IU Health for supporting HeartValveSurgery.com and our mission to educate and empower people with heart valve disease.

We are very excited to work with Dr. Pereira, Dr. Gerdisch and the entire IU Health team to expand patient access to trusted educational resources, leading cardiovascular specialists and advanced heart valve treatments.

Keep on tickin!
Adam