Dr. Oscar Frazier

Dr. Erik Eddie Suarez is a distinguished cardiothoracic surgeon, leading as Director of Cardiothoracic Transplantation for the CommonSpirit Health – Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center Transplant Institute and serving as faculty at Baylor College of Medicine. He offers compassionate expertise in challenging heart and lung transplant procedures, alongside advanced circulatory support for patients facing severe heart failure. Dr. Suarez is passionate about giving patients every possible chance for a healthier future.Dr. Suarez earned his BA in Biochemistry from Rice University. He completed his General Surgery Residency at Baylor College of Medicine and his Thoracic Surgery Residency via the Texas Heart Institute at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. He further expanded his knowledge with a research fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania. He is board-certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, reflecting his commitment to the highest standards of care.With over a decade of leadership experience, including overseeing heart, lung, and mechanical circulatory support programs, Dr. Suarez played a pivotal role in significantly increasing transplant volumes at his prior institution, ensuring exceptional patient outcomes. He also established an innovative program for lung transplants that minimizes the need for blood transfusions. Renowned for his advanced life-support expertise, he contributed significantly to patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic. He shares his knowledge through publications in respected medical journals and advises on national committees, always working for the common good.Beyond his impressive clinical work, Dr. Suarez is a dedicated mentor and educator. He champions collaborative learning initiatives across the Texas Medical Center, fostering an environment where medical professionals can continuously grow and innovate, ultimately benefiting those they serve. Dr. Suarez is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in Heart Transplant. His top areas of expertise are Pulmonary Fibrosis, Cardiogenic Shock, Mediastinitis, Heart Transplant, and Thrombectomy.

Dr. Alexis Shafii is a cardiothoracic surgeon with expertise in thoracic transplantation and adult cardiac surgery. His clinical focus includes thoracic organ failure, heart and lung transplantation as well as implantation of mechanical circulatory support devices. He is the surgical director of the heart transplant program at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, and previously directed transplant programs at major medical centers in Dallas and Kentucky.Dr. Shafii also treats adult acquired cardiac diseases, including coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, and aortic pathologies. His research efforts focus on heart and lung transplantation, ventricular assist devices, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Dr. Shafii is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in Heart Transplant. His top areas of expertise are Myocardial Contusion, Cardiogenic Shock, Aortic Dissection, Lung Transplant, and Heart Transplant.

Andrew B. Civitello, M.D. is Medical Director of the Heart Transplant Program at Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center, Co-Director of the Advanced Heart Failure Center of Excellence and Director of the Advanced Heart Failure Fellowship Program at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Civitello is board certified in Cardiology, Interventional Cardiology and Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology. Dr. Civitello received his medical degree from The University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. His extensive training includes internship, residency and a year as Chief Medical Resident at The University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, followed by fellowships in Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology at Baylor College of Medicine and the Texas Heart Institute. Dr. Civitello specializes in interventional cardiology and peripheral vascular procedures, with advanced training in heart failure management and heart transplantation, general and interventional cardiology, including cardiac catheterization, CT angiography, nuclear cardiology, and advanced training in peripheral artery interventions. The major focus of Dr. Civitello's clinical and research interests include advanced heart failure management, mechanical circulatory support, and heart transplantation. He has authored and co-authored numerous articles for major scientific journals and spoken professionally in both national and international forums. Dr. Civitello is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in Heart Transplant. His top areas of expertise are Heart Failure, Cardiogenic Shock, Ventricular Tachycardia, Heart Transplant, and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI).