About Dr. Johannes Bonatti,
Heart Surgeon

After medical school, Dr. Bonatti completed residencies in Cardiac Surgery, Vascular Surgery, and General Surgery at the Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria from 1991 to 1995. He also completed internships in Trauma Surgery, Internal Medicine, and Anesthesiology at the General Public Hospital Kitzbühel, Austria.

Dr. Bonatti brings internationally recognized expertise in robotic-assisted cardiac surgery to UPMC, where he is helping lead a new era of advanced robotic heart surgery. He joined UPMC after serving with the Vienna Health Network in Austria. Previously, he was Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and later Chairman of its Heart & Vascular Institute. His career has also included faculty and surgical roles at Cleveland Clinic, Case Western Reserve University, and the University of Maryland, where he served as Professor of Surgery and Director of Coronary Surgery and Advanced Coronary Interventions.

A recognized leader in minimally invasive and robotic cardiac surgery, Dr. Bonatti has trained surgeons and surgical teams across the United States, Europe, and Australia. His expertise includes robotic-assisted totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass surgery and mitral valve repair. He has published more than 250 peer-reviewed manuscripts, delivered more than 350 invited lectures worldwide, and held prominent leadership positions in international surgical organizations, including President of the Minimally Invasive Robotic Association and President of the International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery.

Throughout his career, Dr. Bonatti has earned numerous awards and accolades including the following:

• 2026 – Best Video Presentation, Annual Meeting of the International Society of Cardiothoracic Surgery

• 2025 – Lifetime Achievement Award, Society of Robotic Surgery

• 2012 – “Best Cardiac Surgery Scientific Paper,” Society of Laparoscopic Surgery

• 2011 – “Best Innovator,” European Asian Bridge Society of Cardiothoracic Surgery

• 2009 – “Health Care Hero,” The Daily Record, Baltimore, Maryland

• 2008 – “Distinguished Robotic Surgeon and Pioneer in da Vinci Cardiac Surgery,” Intuitive

• 2003 – “Best Moderated Poster,” International Society of Cardiothoracic Surgery

• 1991 – President’s Cup, 12^th International Vascular Workshop