Dr. Sara Pereira
Dr. Sara Pereira
Heart Surgeon
Dr. Sara Pereira
About Dr. Sara Pereira,
Heart Surgeon
Hello! My name is Dr. Sara Pereira and I am a cardiac surgeon having graduated from University of California, Irvine School of Medicine Graduated in 1997. To date, I have performed approximately 7,000 cardiac surgeries, of which 3,000 involved heart valve procedures. I regularly perform surgery at hospitals including Indiana University Methodist Hospital and Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center. Read more...
Video available online at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmCEnaky_tg
1 Patient Review for
Dr. Pereira
"I would say Dr. Pereira was awesome. She has given me a new lease on life! There is one more thing I will ask for is some more of her business cards because I carry mine with me all the time to show people who to ask for if they are having heart problems!"
My Specialties &
Clinical Interests
My heart surgery specialties include:
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Minimally-invasive transcatheter valve replacements for the aortic, mitral and tricuspid valves.
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Mitral valve repair using minimally-invasive approaches
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Reoperative valve surgery and complex aortic root surgery
In addition, I have research and clinical interests specific to:
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Transcatheter valve procedures including TAVR, TMVR and TTVR
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Low-flow, low-gradient aortic stenosis
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Social determinants of health and health disparities in cardiothoracic surgery outcomes
Education, Training & Certificates
Dr. Sara Pereira, heart surgeon, graduated from University of California, Irvine School of Medicine Graduated in 1997.
After medical school, Dr. Pereira completed a General Surgery Residency at the University of Cincinnati and a Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship at the University of Alabama (Birmingham). Dr. Pereira currently serves as Professor of Surgery in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, assuming the role of Division Chief and Co-Director of the Cardiovascular Institute in September 2025.
Prior to joining Indiana University, Dr. Pereira served as Professor of Surgery, Program Director for the Thoracic Surgery Residency Programs, and Surgical Director of the Structural Heart Program at the University of Utah. Her clinical expertise includes adult cardiac surgery, reoperative cardiac surgery, transcatheter and minimally invasive valve procedures, and multi-arterial coronary artery bypass grafting. She has also served as site principal investigator for several major clinical trials, including ROMA Multi-Arterial Grafting in Women, ALLIANCE Valve-in-Valve Mitral Valve Replacement, and a study comparing TAVR and SAVR in patients younger than 65.
Dr. Pereira’s research focuses on transcatheter valve therapies, low-flow, low-gradient aortic stenosis, and the impact of social determinants of health and health disparities on cardiothoracic surgical outcomes. She has contributed to more than 50 peer-reviewed publications and invited editorials. An active leader in the field, she serves as Secretary of Women in Thoracic Surgery and holds leadership roles with the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and Thoracic Surgery Directors Association. She was also elected to the Thoracic Surgery Resident Review Committee in 2024 for a six-year term.
Throughout her extraordinary career, Dr. Pereira has received several accolades and awards including:
2026: Indiana University Department of Surgery Service Award
2026: Division Chief Cardiothoracic Surgery Indiana University
2026: American College of Surgeons – Associate Member Inductee- Academy of Master Surgical Educators
2025-2026: Host STS Same Surgeon Different Light Podcast Series
2025: University of Utah Faculty Educator of the Year Award
2025: Women in Thoracic Surgery: Mentor of the Year Award
2025: Avant-Garde Health Research All Star Certificate for outstanding research in Cardiothoracic Surgery – Top 5%
2024/2025: American Heart Association Target Aortic Stenosis Honor Roll Hospital Achievement Award for Quality Improvement University of Utah
2024: Dr. Clark Lowe Rich Distinguished Surgeon and Mentor Award – University of Utah School of Medicine
2024: Philanthropy Award for Grateful Patients – University of Utah
2024: Society for Thoracic Surgery – Extraordinary Volunteer Leadership Award
2024: Thoracic Surgery Foundation Alley Sheridan Scholarship
2024: Member Inductee - American Association for Throacic Surgery
2022: Western Thoracic Surgical Association Doty Education Award
2021 – 2025: Top Provider in Patient Satisfaction – University of Utah
2021 – 2025: US News and World Reports High Performing Award: TAVR
2017-2020: Top Provider in Patient Satisfaction – University of Alabama
Dr. Pereira is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery.
Schedule Appointment with Dr. Sara Pereira, MD
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Pereira, you can:
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Call (317) 597-6656 right now
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The office of Dr. Pereira is located at 1801 N. Senate Ave , Suite 3300, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202. To get driving directions to this office, please click the map below.
Watch an Educational Video with Dr. Sara Pereira
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Indiana University Health: An Introduction to the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
News & Online References Featuring Dr. Sara Pereira
Here is the latest news featuring Dr. Sara Pereira:
