I specialize in thoracic aortic disease and valvular heart disease. My career focus has been taking care of complex and high-risk cardiac surgery patients. I gain tremendous satisfaction from my interactions with my patients and value the long-term relationships I have with many of them. In addition, I enjoy teaching the next generation of surgeons and improving the field through research. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with family and traveling. Dr. Chen is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Aortic Dissection. His top areas of expertise are Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, Aortic Dissection, Aortic Regurgitation, Heart Valve Repair, and Aortic Valve Replacement.

I was drawn to heart surgery for many reasons, but most importantly it is because we really help people live longer and provide a better quality of life. I enjoy getting to know my patients and helping them understand their disease and the options for treatment. At Duke Health, we have an extraordinary team that is committed to bringing the highest quality cardiac surgery to our patients. We provide cutting-edge therapies to treat all aspects of heart disease, ranging from minimally invasive transcatheter valve replacement to traditional bypass surgery to life sustaining extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy. I strive to provide the best care for my patients so they can get back to living a healthy lifestyle after surgery. Dr. Williams is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Aortic Dissection. His top areas of expertise are Aortic Dissection, Cystic Medial Necrosis of Aorta, Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, Aortic Valve Replacement, and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR).

G Chad is a General Surgeon in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Chad has been practicing medicine for over 31 years and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Aortic Dissection. His top areas of expertise are Aortic Dissection, Cystic Medial Necrosis of Aorta, Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, Aortic Valve Replacement, and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR).

I'm proud to work at Duke as it has a tremendous hospital and tremendous people to work with. The quality of care here is excellent and really can’t be compared to anywhere else. That’s what keeps me here. We do more complex heart surgeries here than almost anyone else in the country. When you need heart surgery, you want it done by someone who does a lot of it. Our numbers are comparable to the top places in the country. We do complex surgery and we do it well. The thing about heart surgery is that we make people better. That’s what I really like – helping people who couldn’t breathe or couldn’t walk because their heart was failing, and we were able to make them better. Dr. Gaca is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Aortic Dissection. His top areas of expertise are Mitral Stenosis, Aortic Valve Stenosis, Mitral Valve Regurgitation, Aortic Valve Replacement, and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR).

Matthew Roe is a Cardiologist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Roe is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Aortic Dissection. His top areas of expertise are Heart Attack, Acute Coronary Syndrome, Unstable Angina, Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI), and Heart Bypass Surgery.

I am a cardiac surgeon caring for adult patients with a broad spectrum of cardiovascular disease, with a particular interest in aortic disease, such as aneurysm or dissection. I also perform many general cardiac surgery operations, such as bypass surgery for blockages in the coronary arteries and valve repair or replacement for narrowed or leaky valves. Every year, we continue to expand our transcatheter treatments for valve diseases and endovascular treatments for aortic diseases. Both of these approaches involve small incisions in the leg, addressing the problem with wires and catheters, rather than traditional open surgery. I chose to train and work as heart surgeon because it allows me to care for patients with life threatening conditions and debilitating symptoms, such as shortness of breath. Our goal at Duke Health is to extend lives and restore quality of life, enabling patients to return to their passions at home. I hope that heart surgery is something most patients only go through once in a lifetime. I strive to create an atmosphere where patients and their loved ones feel they are educated and involved leading up to surgery and during their recovery process. Dr. Vekstein is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Aortic Dissection. His top areas of expertise are Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, Aortic Dissection, Mitral Valve Regurgitation, Heart Bypass Surgery, and Heart Valve Repair.

I am an adult cardiac surgeon specializing in heart transplantation and mechanical circulatory support. I perform general cardiac surgery operations, including coronary artery bypass grafting, valve repair, and replacement for various valvular pathologies. A significant portion of my practice is dedicated to the surgical management of patients with advanced heart failure. This includes heart transplantation, left ventricular assist devices (LVAD), and various forms of temporary mechanical circulatory support, such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). I am proud to be a part of one of the largest volume and highest quality advanced heart failure programs in the world. Duke Health is consistently a national leader in heart transplant volume. We maintain high-quality outcomes and practice at the leading edge of the field. It is a remarkable experience to deliver these innovative therapies to our critically ill heart failure patients. These therapies are not only lifesaving but help restore our patients to the high quality of life they hope to lead. Dr. Keenan is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Aortic Dissection. His top areas of expertise are Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, Aortic Dissection, Endocarditis, Heart Transplant, and Patent Foramen Ovale Repair.

My current role as a surgical physician assistant in cardiothoracic surgery is very rewarding. I work very closely with the heart surgeons here at Duke to take care of our patients in the operating room, in the hospital, and in the clinics. I have enjoyed working in health care since my first position as an ER Assistant in my home town of Jamestown, New York while a senior in high school. My career has progressed through several roles including medical surgical nursing, ER trauma nurse, and nurse supervisor. Dr. Sabulsky is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Aortic Dissection. His top areas of expertise are Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, Bicuspid Aortic Valve, Aortic Dissection, and Cystic Medial Necrosis of Aorta.

I am a noninvasive cardiologist with clinical and research specialties in peripheral artery disease, structural heart disease, and hypertension. I’ve been at Duke for over 10 years and in that time I’ve been proud to be part of Duke’s commitment to world class, patient-centric, personalized care. We are in the midst of major breakthroughs and advances in cardiovascular care, many of which have evolved here at Duke. But translating these advances to personalized care takes a strong partnership between a doctor and patient and I look forward to forging that relationship with each of my patients. Dr. Vemulapalli is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Aortic Dissection. His top areas of expertise are Aortic Valve Stenosis, Mitral Valve Regurgitation, Peripheral Artery Disease, Aortic Valve Replacement, and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR).

I am enthusiastic about heart disease and the variety of surgical options currently available. At Duke Health, I am able to work closely with other heart doctors to treat complicated coronary artery disease and valve disease, particularly in patients with other co-morbidities. I perform minimally-invasive heart surgeries for revascularization (improve blood flow to the heart), valve disease (narrowed or leaky valves), and atrial fibrillation (abnormal heart rhythm). I also use robotic technology to perform a single-vessel CABG (coronary artery bypass grafting). I live in Durham with my husband and two children. Dr. Anne is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Aortic Dissection. Her top areas of expertise are Infective Endocarditis, Endocarditis, Arterial Embolism, Heart Bypass Surgery, and Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG).

Jacob Schroder is a General Surgeon and a Transplant Surgeon in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Schroder has been practicing medicine for over 25 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Aortic Dissection. His top areas of expertise are Cardiogenic Shock, Tricuspid Regurgitation, Aortic Regurgitation, Heart Transplant, and Heart Bypass Surgery.

\I am a vascular surgeon with the training and experience to treat the full scope of vascular disease, however I do have a passion for preventing amputations. I have spent my career building both technical and academic expertise in the field of limb preservation for patients with diabetes and vascular disease (peripheral artery disease/PAD). My academic focus is on addressing health disparities related to amputation and working in underserved communities to achieve health equity through sustainable, community focused programs. Clinically, I have come to Duke to build a comprehensive multidisciplinary Threatened Limb Clinic. At our clinic, we work together with podiatry and wound care to closely care for our patient population and give them the ""\""TLC""\"" they deserve.""""https://www.dukehealth.org/sites/default/files/styles/doctor_profile/public/physician/samantha-d-minc-md-mph.jpg?itok=OxS6Ax1O Aetna | Ambetter | Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC | Cigna | Duke Group Plans | Experience Health | Gateway Health Alliance | Healthgram | Humana | MedCost | Medicare | NC Medicaid | TRICARE | United Healthcare active English no Duke Regional Vascular Access 407 Crutchfield St Durham NC 27704-2726 US https://www.dukehealth.org/find-doctors-physicians/samantha-d-minc-md-mph https://corporate.dukehealth.org/sites/default/files/2025-06/Duke%20Health%20Approved%20Logos_1.png. Dr. Minc is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Aortic Dissection. Her top areas of expertise are Carotid Artery Disease, Peripheral Artery Disease, Arterial Embolism, Carotid Artery Surgery, and Stent Placement.

Douglas Schocken is a Cardiologist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Schocken is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Aortic Dissection. His top areas of expertise are Atrial Fibrillation, Heart Failure, Pulmonary Edema, and Hypertension. Dr. Schocken is currently accepting new patients.

Thomas Bashore is a Cardiologist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Bashore is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Aortic Dissection. His top areas of expertise are Bicuspid Aortic Valve, Aortic Valve Stenosis, Aortic Regurgitation, and Atrial Fibrillation. Dr. Bashore is currently accepting new patients.

Yas Sanaiha is a Thoracic Surgeon in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Sanaiha is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Aortic Dissection. Her top areas of expertise are Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS), Cardiogenic Shock, Gallbladder Disease, Gallbladder Removal, and Heart Bypass Surgery. Dr. Sanaiha is currently accepting new patients.

Wassim Shatila is a primary care provider, practicing in Internal Medicine in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Shatila is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Aortic Dissection. His top areas of expertise are Methemoglobinemia, Acquired Methemoglobinemia, SVC Obstruction, Angioplasty, and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR).

Jennifer Perna is a Thoracic Surgeon and a Physician Assistant in Durham, North Carolina. Ms. Perna is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Aortic Dissection. Her top areas of expertise are Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, Mitral Stenosis, Cystic Medial Necrosis of Aorta, and Aortic Dissection. Ms. Perna is currently accepting new patients.

I am a vascular surgeon with a particular focus on conditions affecting arteries in the neck, abdomen, and extremities (arms and legs). Vascular disease can be very complex and can have a big impact on patients' lives. Each patient is different and there are a number of ways to approach any given vascular condition, including medications, endovascular interventions, and open surgeries. I consider it a privilege to work together with patients and their families towards a personalized care plan. I also really enjoy the relationships that vascular surgeons get to develop with patients and their families over time. Outside of the hospital, I enjoy hiking, skiing, baking, and spending time with friends and family. Dr. Hope is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Aortic Dissection. Her top areas of expertise are Peripheral Artery Disease, Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, Gangrene, Osteotomy, and Bone Graft.

John Ikonomidis is a Thoracic Surgeon and a General Surgeon in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Dr. Ikonomidis is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Aortic Dissection. His top areas of expertise are Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, Aortic Dissection, Aortic Valve Stenosis, Aortic Valve Replacement, and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR). Dr. Ikonomidis is currently accepting new patients.

I am a general cardiologist, meaning I care for patients with a broad range of heart and vascular conditions. My particular areas of specialty are diseases involving the valves of the heart and cardiac imaging, especially echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart). Dr. Ryan is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Aortic Dissection. His top areas of expertise are Atrial Fibrillation, Bicuspid Aortic Valve, Mitral Stenosis, Aortic Regurgitation, and Pacemaker Implantation.