About Dr. Ismail El-Hamamsy,
Heart Valve Surgeon

"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