About Dr. Ismail El-Hamamsy,
Heart Valve Surgeon

"If you read one sentence of this review, it should be this: it’s a total no-brainer that Dr. El-Hamamsy is hands down the only cardiac surgeon you should be considering.

Let me put it this way: I met with 14 of the top cardiac surgeons in the country, and not only was Dr. El-Hamamsy clearly, objectively the top choice, BUT was ALSO proactively recommended by some of the other experts who are also well-regarded in the field. This never happens - typically any given surgeon thinks they are the best surgeon. With Dr. El-Hamamsy, it's clear that cardiac surgery field agrees that there just is no true match, and consistently regards him as the ABSOLUTE leading authority on the Ross. More info below:

I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve and got yearly checkups since my childhood to monitor it. In late 2021, my cardiologist finally told me I needed to get surgery to replace the bad valve. It was the most difficult time of my life, and deciding which type of procedure to choose was at the core of the difficulty. I had the option of choosing between a bio-prosthetic valve replacement, a mechanical valve replacement, or the Ross procedure.

I met with 14 of the top cardiac surgeons in the country to discuss my case and to get their formal recommendation on the procedure they recommend I choose: surgeons from Harvard MGH, UPenn, UCLA, USC, Stanford, Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and Mount Sinai. I met with some of the most excellent, world-renown cardiac surgeons - many of them Ross-focused surgeons - and was privileged enough to have access to family members in the medical field who could help me research the pros and cons of each choice. Halfway through my process, I lost track of how many experts I spoke with were not only recommending that I get the Ross with Dr. El-Hamamsy, but recommending that I cut my research short and simply schedule the surgery with him. The moment I met Dr. El-Hamamsy (over Zoom, no less), it was instantly clear why even some other Ross experts at other world-class hospitals were telling me, “Just go to El-Hamamsy.”

When I learned more about Dr. El-Hamamsy, it was abundantly clear how and why his reputation is well-earned. He is without a doubt the leading authority on the Ross: he has done hundreds of successful Rosses with excellent short-term and long-term outcomes, and is constantly involved in leading research surrounding the Ross and Ross techniques. He commands authority on the subject, both in research and in practice. This is incredibly rare, and this is the type of surgeon we all want to be looking for: the leader of the field who’s not only constantly pioneering improvements, but is also teaching his learnings to others, and is simultaneously constantly in the OR.

Dr. El-Hamamsy is all the above, but is somehow also the most wonderful human. He’s truly an angel, and I’m so grateful for him saving my life, and enabling me to now, just 3 months out, be living a completely normal, fearless, life. I’m incredibly grateful to have crossed paths with him, and I will just say to anyone reading this who might be in the same position I was in: if you qualify for the Ross, just go get it done with Dr. El-Hamamsy.

I’d also like to add that, much like Dr. El-Hamamsy, his team around him is equally supportive, empathetic, helpful, and all-around wonderful. I was so grateful to have had the guidance of Leemor, his assistant (her work was critical as I was coming from out of state for the surgery) as well as Roberto, his Nurse Practitioner who constantly checked on me post-op. I can’t say enough positive things about them and Mount Sinai in general.

If I were put in this position again, I would choose Dr. El-Hamamsy over and over again. It’s a no-brainer, and I hope this review helps in cutting your search short. "

-- Angela H, Aortic Valve, Ross Procedure, 01/10/2022

"Dr. El-Hamamsy is a master surgeon - an expert even among heart surgery experts. He is also kind, responsive and precise in outlining all options for a particular patient. In my case, he performed a Ross procedure after I was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis in September 2021, when I was 55 years old. I had been surprised by my diagnosis because I was asymptomatic, and I had not known I was born with a bicuspid valve or the implications of that. But I am a health researcher by profession, so I quickly learned that I basically had three options for replacing my aortic valve: mechanical, cow/pig, or my own pulmonary valve via the Ross procedure. My review of the research literature indicated that the Ross procedure – if carried out by a surgeon with expertise in it - was most likely to give me normal quality and length of life, while also minimizing the possibility of eventual need of replacement. I should note that the local cardiologist who I was assigned after my diagnosis only gave me the first two options. When I brought up the Ross procedure, he told me it was not an option for adults in our state and most surgeons could not do it safely. I explained my insurance should cover it with a Ross procedure expert in another state, and ultimately he supported this decision.

I selected Dr. El-Hamamsy based on his work history and publications, as he is clearly one of the most experienced and capable Ross procedure surgeons in the world. I reached out to his assistant, who efficiently answered my logistical questions, double checked my insurance coverage, and (due to the COVID pandemic) arranged for me to have a video meeting with Dr. El-Hamamsy. In the virtual meeting, El-Hamamsy answered all of my questions about the surgery and gave me additional insights into my case based on my local tests and examination results. For example, because I am a 5-foot-3-inch woman, Dr. El-Hamamsy explained that the circumference of my aortic valve is small. This does not make a difference for a Ross procedure, but it could have reduced my options if I had chosen either a small mechanical valve placed by open-heart surgery, or a cow or pig valve placed by Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), if they had ever needed to be replaced.

The day before my surgery in November 2021, I met Dr. El-Hamamsy and his surgical team in person and did a few more tests. The surgery itself went smoothly, and Dr. El-Hamamsy kept my husband fully informed at key stages. Afterward, I spent a night in the ICU and then a few nights in a lower-level ward before moving to a hotel nearby. Dr. El-Hamamsy and his team visited me regularly in the hospital and I saw him for a final appointment six days after surgery, when he cleared me to return home. Dr. El-Hamamsy’s team includes Roberto Galao-malo, RN, who was my main remote contact for medical questions before and after I went to New York. Roberto gave me his email address and phone number and always responded promptly and helpfully to my questions.

By the end of my first week post-surgery, I was astonished by how normal I felt. My main risk was forgetting I had had major surgery: I had to remind myself to follow a careful and slow recovery plan. I rested well and gradually built up my exercise and activities day by day. At two months post-surgery, I began working full-time again and joined the virtual cardiac rehabilitation services offered to me locally through my insurance. Next week I will be six months post-surgery and my life seems no different than it was pre-surgery. For months I have worked out and had hour-long bike rides regularly, taken long walks daily, and gardened and carried out household chores as usual. I am deeply grateful to Dr. El-Hamamsy and his team for enabling me to have this normal, healthy life!"

-- Mary P., Aortic Valve, Pulmonary Valve, Valve Replacement, Median Sternotomy, Ross Procedure, 11/16/2021

"God blesses people with unique and special gifts. Dr. El-Hamamsy is not only one of the most gifted surgeons on earth, but his compassion and love for people shines just as bright, making him an absolute diamond in the rough.

As a 40 year old husband and father of 6 amazing children and with the incredible honor and privilege to be serving our great nation in the United States Air Force, open heart surgery was the last thing on my mind. The subsequent diagnosis of a unicuspid aortic valve that I’d had since birth had not even shown itself in any side effects, but was detected by a military doctor on a routine annual physical. After much debate and research, my family and I soon came to the conclusion that a mechanical or pig valve was not the right option for me, and the Ross procedure was in fact optimal.

I’ll never forgot watching the video my wife found online of Dr. El-Hamamsy with his charismatic and comforting demeanor as he talked about what is clearly his passion in life… healing those in need. Despite watching the video 10 times, it was immediately clear that he was the one I would put my trust in for this critical and life-changing operation.

The team at Mount Sinai was, and is incredible. Leemor has a heart of gold. From day one she treated me like family… I instantly fell in love with her New York accent and attention to detail so that every step of the way went as smooth as humanly possible. I did not meet Roberto and his soft yet confident demeanor until the day before surgery. Words can’t express his commitment to patients and going above and beyond, to a level I can’t even describe, is in his DNA. I am forever grateful to the two of them and I know they treat every patient with as much love and care.

The peace I had leading up to the procedure, based on the multiple discussions with Dr. El-Hamamsy and his team, was only confirmed as we sat there going over the final game plan before I walked into the operating room. Had I not gone to Dr. El-H it is most likely I would have woke up with a pig or bovine valve. It is the exact reason I was so confident in him being the one. His exceptional skill and expertise allowed me to wake up after surgery, with a successful Ross, despite some unexpected discoveries during the operation.

I owe so much to Dr. El-H and his amazing team. I fought for almost a year to get approved to have him as my surgeon and flew across the country with my wife, leaving our 6 kids behind, but knowing that we would return home, healthy and beginning a new chapter in our family’s journey. Having a son who has undergone four open heart surgeries we have experienced many cardiac programs and interacted with countless cardiac teams. This one I can honestly say, is the best."

-- John Dalrymple, Aortic Valve, Ross Procedure, 08/12/2021

"Where can I start? How do you thank the person who has made such a difference in your life? I had the lucky chance to have Dr. Stelzer and Dr. Ismail El-Hamamsy fix my congenital unicuspid aortic valve at Mount Sinai Hospital, literally the two best Ross surgeons in the world. If you look up what Dr. El-Hamamsy has accomplished in the field of aortic disease, it truly is incredible how dedicated and motivated he is to making a true impact on the diseases he treats.

While I was in the hospital, he was caring, compassionate, patient, and had a well informed answer for any question related to the Ross procedure or aorta. He came to visit me everyday in the hospital and put my wife and me both at ease (no easy task, more-so to put me at ease than my wife :) ) with his cool, caring, and calm demeanor. I am so happy and fortunate that he decided to bring his incredible skill set to New York just a few months before I needed my surgery.

As a life-long NYer, I know he is going to positively touch so many people's lives here through his work and we are lucky to have him. I am now three months out from my surgery, continuing to focus on my rehab by riding a bike and jogging everyday, and I owe this second chance to him, Dr. Stelzer and their team! I am grateful for this second lease on life and could not thank him enough!"

-- Jason Filopei, Aortic Valve, Ross Procedure, 08/19/2020

"I had a bicuspid aortic valve with severe aortic regurgitation. After developing symptoms, it was time to replace the aortic valve. I spoke to several surgeons, but the recommendations I was getting seem to be based on what each doctor was feeling comfortable doing, not what was best for me.

Dr. El-Hamamsy was literally the only exception. He is honestly the nicest doctor and one of the kindest people I have ever met. He is patient and empathetic, and most importantly, really talented and experienced at performing the Ross procedure---which is a particularly involved procedure.

As a research professor, I felt very comfortable in the hands of a surgeon whose own research offers compelling evidence that the Ross procedure for AVR provides better long-term results and improved quality of life. I did the surgery in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic in NY city, and everything went great. Dr. El-Hamamsy and his team have so much experience at what they do, which made me feel particularly comfortable during my entire stay at Mt. Sinai. "

-- Ioannis Spyridopoulos, Aortic Valve, Pulmonary Valve, Ross Procedure, 06/26/2020

"Dr. Ismail El-Hamamsy is an angel walking among us. After speaking with him on the phone, I traveled from Vancouver to the Montreal Heart Institute to have my Ross Procedure on February 28, 2019. With his pre-surgery encouragement, I was able to train and run 2 half marathons at 90 and 115 days post-open-heart surgery in June 2019. It was a surprise that I recovered so quickly! Now I outrun my husband both in speed and distance! Still training for longer distances and forever grateful to my surgeon. "

-- Elizabeth Boylan, Aortic Valve, Ross Procedure, 02/28/2019

"He is probably the most human surgeon out there. When I first found out I needed surgery, I was devastated. I knew my whole like that I would, at some point, need surgery. But, without truly understanding what it entailed.

I was introduced to Dr. El-Hamamsy as he is a Ross procedure specialist and he just completed his 400th Ross Procedure. He reassured me that I would get to participate in whatever race I’d want to in the future -- once i was healed.

He also understood that I was slightly anxious and shared that he’d try to accelerate the date of my operation (I was being scheduled for January and it was early October). Twice I needed to present myself at the hospital. Both times he came to find me as he was told that I was "in the house".

On my 2nd visit . . . He confirmed to me that he would get me scheduled by the end of November. On November 17th, one week later, I got the call. The operation was completed on November 20th successfully. He came out with a huge smile to greet my family and reassured them that I was doing well. For the 5 days I was at the hospital, he came every evening to check up on me. The nurses told me that I was very fortunate as very few surgeons did that.

His whole program is amazing with continued follow-ups. I’d recommend him."

-- Sophie Scoufaras, Aortic Valve, Pulmonary Valve, Ross Procedure, 11/20/2017