About Dr. Joseph Bavaria,
Heart Valve Surgeon

"I was an RN for over 40 years in Chester Co. Pa.. Dr. Bavaria was recommended by numerous physicians for his expertise in aortic valve replacement. Five years previous to this aortic valve replacement operation, I received an aortic valve ,that he and my Cardiologist stated was a mismatch (too small) done at another facility. I actually was given Dr. Bavaria's name back then, but opted for my surgery closer to home. People fly in from other states to U of P in Philadelphia , just for this procedure. He actually did surgery on one of the Philadelphia Eagles football player. I felt so much better after this operation than the last one. The AFIB and loud heart murmur are gone. He is the best, and answered all my questions."

-- Diane Mowery, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 08/17/2018

"I got aortic valve replacement and mitral valve repair by Dr. Bavaria. I was ready to leave the hospital in three days. However, Dr. Bavaria would not release me for fear of Afib. I did get Afib. They changed my medicine and was released the next day. No other problems just follow-ups to date."

-- William Boyk, Aortic Valve, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, Valve Replacement, Median Sternotomy, 09/11/2017

"Fantastic surgeon. Very skilled and inspires confidence!!"

-- Michael Carbone, Aortic Valve, Pulmonary Valve, Root Replacement, Ross Procedure, 06/09/2017

"Dr Bavaria was an easy choice for me, he came with high recommendations and an unmatched experience set. He is businesslike but friendly in laying out the options. The aortic valve replacement went off without a hitch and I have achieved full recovery. The MAZE procedure did not achieve the hoped for results as I still am in atrial fibrillation 15 months post op. I certainly don't blame Dr Bavaria for this result because afib is still an extremely poorly understood condition. Surgery, whether MAZE or non invasive such as ablation is no guarantee of reversal of this condition. Overall I can still recommend Dr Bavaria wholeheartedly for any surgery involving heart valves."

-- Pete Stanton , Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Median Sternotomy, Maze Procedure, 08/22/2016

"First of all, just a great person with a reassuring, warm smile. After research, I found that the Univ Penn was the top cardiac hosp in my expanded area and Dr. Bavaria ,a renowned cardiac surgeon, would be my surgeon. had aortic valve replaced with bovine prosthesis in June and am feeling twenty years younger than my 82 years in October. "

-- Thomas Masters, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Median Sternotomy, 06/01/2016

"Dr. Bavaria at the University of Penn was very experienced and has received several Top Docs awards. Surgery went fine without incident for me."

-- Gerald Schaffer, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 08/26/2015

"Everything was fantastic. Dr. Bavaria is one of the very best. Caring, dedicated, kind, gentle and I have a beautiful scar, hardly visible. University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA."

-- Eileen Garton, Aortic Valve, Median Sternotomy, 05/20/2015

"Dr. Bavaria saved my life after a disastrous surgery four months earlier at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, where I contracted an infection (staph epi) either during or immediately following my surgery, resulting in multiple strokes and a redo surgery with Dr. Bavaria at the University of Pennsylvania. I only wish I had skipped Cleveland and gone to Dr. Bavaria in the first place. After an 8 hours long second surgery, I had a long recovery (especially after two valve replacements in four months). Dr. Bavaria is a "rock star" heart surgeon who has an amazing ability to make patients and their families feel comfortable. In addition, his surgical skills are beyond top notch and he is also involved in developing cutting edge treatments. You literally could not put yourself in better hands."

-- George Hines, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Root Replacement, 10/03/2014

"Top surgeon in the PHILADELPHIA area for complex aortic valve replacement and heart surgery. Highly dedicated and skilled team of doctors and caring treatment by them and hospital staff at Penn Medicine. "

-- Mike Rosamilia, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Median Sternotomy, Root Replacement, 05/08/2013

"Dr. Bavaria's operating time to replace my valve was 122 minutes. My gradient pre-op was 108. Post-op, the gradient was 25. Dr. Bavaria has an excellent technique."

-- Stuart Wolfe, MD, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Mini Sternotomy, 11/14/2012

"Dr. Bavaria's beside manner was great. He was recommended to me by two different physicians as the "best in the world". I had minimal pain, quick recovery and my bovine replacement valve is functioning perfectly."

-- Fran Crowe, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Median Sternotomy, 05/18/2012

"Dr. Bavaria is amazing. For both aneurism repair and valve replacement he is tops in this field of medicine and surgery. "

-- Steven Kantor, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Median Sternotomy, 05/14/2012

"I was a very risky patient and Dr Bavaria, waited for a year to operate. When the timing was right, he gave me three options and I decided to go for the aortic valve replacement,repair and o rings in the mitral,tricuspid valve. Very pleased with my results. He was a fantastic surgeon and the right surgeon for me!"

-- Craig Fisher, Aortic Valve, Mitral Valve, Tricuspid Valve, Valve Repair, Valve Replacement, Median Sternotomy, 04/20/2011

"Dr. Bavaria exudes confidence, and some would describe him as "cocky" but if you're opening up my chest and putting me on life support for a few hours, I want someone who is super-confident and comfortable with what he does. "

-- Thomas Musick, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 01/04/2011

"Dr. Bavaria is an EXCELLENT surgeon. His concern for me was genuine and his skills unsurpassed. He was patient and always encouraged my many, many questions. He also has a very professional staff and they were helpful also. My surgery went very well and I attribute this solely to his skill and expertise. I recommend him highly for anyone who needs valve replacement surgery."

-- James Vaughan, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Median Sternotomy, Maze Procedure, 11/01/2010

"I did intensive research on aortic valve surgeons and interviewed 3 (NY, NY & PA). Having already made an appt for surgery in NJ, From this db, learned of Dr. Bavaria's ability to perform aortic valve repair. I e-mailed him w/ a question and to my disbelief, he gave me his cell phone # to call him. Unfortunately didn't see the response til a Sunday night, so didn't want to bother him @ that time. I kept missing his e-mails so made an appt. and decided he was the one for me. I wasn't a candidate for repair, but he was excited to see my quadricuspid valve!! You will only see him for consult & post-op visits, but that is because people come from all over the world for his surgical skills. He is also involved in trials for transcatheter valve replacement."

-- Chris G., Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Median Sternotomy, 10/27/2010

"Dr. Baveria was one of a kind. He is world renouned and an awesome heart surgeon. Going into surgery I was at ease. The experience I had with him I cant even put into words. The best in the world. "

-- Sean Murphy, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 07/23/2010

"Dr. Bavaria is a very good doc. One of the best in his profession."

-- Sean Murphy, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Median Sternotomy, 07/23/2010

"Dr. Bavaria exudes a warm confidence. He is a very friendly guy. Definitely relaxes you as he answers your questions before and after surgery. He is extremely busy - and with good reason. It is obvious he loves doing what he does. He has done hundreds of aortic valve replacements over the years. My experience with both his office staff and the cardiac nurses at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania were excellent. I can say that I would be happy to be there again - but I hope that doesn't happen anytime soon! I was prepared to have a replacement with a bovine valve, but right during surgery he made the decision to repair the valve due to certain beneficial measurements. He's been doing a certain kind of aortic valve repair (El Khoury method)for about 5 years now. Very few other surgeons in the US know how to do it. At 6 weeks post-op, all my cardiac functions are back to normal. It's really amazing. I would send anyone needing surgery on the aortic valve or aorta to Dr. Bavaria - in a heart beat! "

-- Hubert Karreman, Aortic Valve, Valve Repair, Median Sternotomy, 03/22/2010

"I was very happy with the result. Dr. Bavaria is a very warm and friendly person, and obviously very gifted. He is an extremely busy surgeon (for good reason) and involved with cutting edge clinical research and practice. "

-- Hubert Karreman, Aortic Valve, Valve Repair, 03/22/2010

"Dr. Bavaria was incredible. Very competent and confident Surgeon. Felt reassured by his confidence. The University of PA staff and experience was very professional. I highly recommend the surgeon and the hospital."

-- Joseph Minnucci, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 02/08/2010

"It was a very positive experience if you can say that about surgery.No complications and I highly recommend Dr. Bavaria, the University of Pennsylvania Hospital and Staff."

-- Evelyn Healey, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 08/13/2009

"As good an experience as possible - surgery on Friday and left hospital 3 days later on Monday. Everything went well and I'd use him again. Highly recommend!"

-- Gordon Conwell, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Root Replacement, 07/10/2009

"After an extensive search, I chose Dr Bavaria, due to his impressive credentials. My surgery was complex and I believe many other surgeons would have had to do a replacement instead of a repair. Dr Bavaria was down-to-earth, and made a real effort to connect on a personal level. He was always cheerful, with a good sense of humor. He took all the time needed time to completely explain information, and to answer my questions. He was thorough in discussing risks and complications. I had no surprises. His office and hospital staff were equally pleasant and competent. I always got individual attention. "

-- Rebecca Roberts, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, Median Sternotomy, 01/05/2009

"Unbelievably talented and comforting. His self assured-ness eases the patient's mind. The result was perfection. One of if not the best in the world. This is also true of all of the staff at the University of Pennsylvania."

-- James Lees, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 10/08/2008

"Exceptionally professional in preparing for surgery, its execution and the follow up. My warmest recommendations."

-- Lene Fogelberg, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 10/08/2008