. Dr. Gall is highly rated in 6 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Mitral Valve Regurgitation, Cystic Medial Necrosis of Aorta, Aortic Dissection, Heart Bypass Surgery, and Heart Valve Repair.

"Growing up, Tyler Greenfield, MD, loved watching his father, a small-town general practitioner, treat patients. He knew medicine was the life he wanted for himself one day. ""I was drawn to surgery because of my love for human anatomy,"" Dr. Greenfield says. ""I especially enjoy the physiology of the heart and lungs and performing surgical procedures to treat conditions that affect them."" He believes the doctor-patient relationship is enhanced by open communication. ""My job is to help patients get better,"" he says. ""By listening, I learn what is important to know about them and their health.""". Dr. Greenfield is highly rated in 6 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Pleuropulmonary Blastoma, ALK-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Squamous Cell Lung Carcinoma, and Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm.

Bryan Helsel, MD, is a cardiovascular thoracic surgeon in Johnson City, TN. Dr. Helsel recently moved his family to the area after he retired from the U.S. Army, where he flew attack helicopters. He is passionate about teamwork, and providing the best possible care to his patients. His top areas of expertise are Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, Aortic Valve Stenosis, Aortic Dissection, Heart Bypass Surgery, and Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG).

Robert Ferguson, DO, believes the best care begins with treating patients the way he would treat his own family. Guided by the principle “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” he approaches every case with compassion and skill. As a cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Ferguson finds meaning in building trust with patients and guiding them through complex and often life-changing procedures. His top areas of expertise are Pleuropulmonary Blastoma, Lung Nodules, Lung Cancer, Heart Bypass Surgery, and Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG).

Originally from Texas, Rece W. Laney MD, MS, moved to the Appalachian Highlands to join the Ballad Health CVA Heart Institute and care for patients in this region. Dr. Laney received his medical degree from the University of Texas in Houston and completed a residency and internship in general surgery, followed by a fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery. He chose cardiothoracic surgery because he was “always intrigued by the complexity of thoracic surgery and the skill of the teams it takes to care for these patients.”. His top areas of expertise are Lung Cancer, Heart Bypass Surgery, and Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG).

Dr. Craig completed his fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at Harvard Medical School, training at the Massachusetts General Hospital and Boston Children's Hospital. Previously he completed a fellowship in vascular and endovascular surgery at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis where he also completed his general surgery residency and received his medical degree. He completed his undergraduate education at Southern Adventist University in Chattanooga, TN. Dr. Craig previously served as the surgical director of cardiac transplantation and mechanical circulatory support at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis. He is board certified in cardiothoracic surgery and vascular surgery. Dr. Craig is highly rated in 25 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, Aortic Valve Stenosis, Arterial Embolism, Heart Bypass Surgery, and Patent Foramen Ovale Repair.

Anthony Palazzo, MD, is a cardiovascular thoracic surgeon in Johnson City, TN. Dr. Palazzo is committed to excellent patient care, and in his time off enjoys spending time with his family and getting plenty of exercise. Dr. Palazzo is highly rated in 8 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Pleuropulmonary Blastoma, Squamous Cell Lung Carcinoma, ALK-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Heart Bypass Surgery, and Heart Valve Repair.

. Dr. Messerschmidt is highly rated in 5 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Pleuropulmonary Blastoma, Squamous Cell Lung Carcinoma, ALK-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Heart Bypass Surgery, and Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG).

"A native of China, Danjing Zhao, MD, moved to Canada as a teenager and pursued her lifelong dream of attending medical school in the United States. ""My grandfather was a surgeon and I had always looked up to him,"" she says. ""I was also fortunate to train under experts who helped shape me as a physician."" Dr. Zhao knew she wanted to be a cardiothoracic surgeon very early on in training. ""Considering heart disease and cancer remain the leading causes of death in the U.S., I feel that cardiothoracic surgery is where I can make the most impact in patients' lives.""". Her top areas of expertise are Aortic Valve Stenosis and Heart Bypass Surgery.

Dr. Rob Headrick is chief of thoracic surgery at CHI Memorial Rees Skillern Cancer Institute. He specializes in chest and lung cancer care. He is board certified in both general and thoracic surgery.Dr. Headrick is a Chattanooga native and returned to his hometown to provide thoracic surgical care. Dr. Headrick is highly rated in 21 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Lung Nodules, Lung Cancer, Pleuropulmonary Blastoma, Thymectomy, and Advanced Bronchoscopy.

"Sean Forrest, MD's, passion for medicine was sparked early on. ""My mother was a NICU nurse, and she always inspired me to follow a career in healthcare,"" he shares. ""Patients deserve the highest level of respect, and it's a privilege to guide them,"" Dr. Forrest says. ""By taking the time to listen and understand their priorities, we can make informed decisions about their care together."" Having grown up in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Dr. Forrest was already familiar with the Appalachian Highlands before relocating. He and his family love hiking, biking and enjoying the great outdoors.". His top area of expertise is Atrial Fibrillation.

Harvey Garrett is a Thoracic Surgeon in Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. Garrett is highly rated in 34 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA), Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, Carotid Artery Disease, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), and Aortic Valve Replacement.

Bradley Wolf is a Thoracic Surgeon in Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. Wolf is highly rated in 27 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA), Necrosis, Heart Bypass Surgery, and Heart Valve Repair.

Tammy Baxter is a Thoracic Surgeon in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Baxter is highly rated in 18 conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Lung Nodules, Pleuropulmonary Blastoma, Lung Cancer, Advanced Bronchoscopy, and Thymectomy.

Ward Houck is a Thoracic Surgeon in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Dr. Houck is highly rated in 16 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Pleuropulmonary Blastoma, Hiatal Hernia, Pleurisy, Endoscopy, and Gastrostomy.

Poonam Puri is a Thoracic Surgeon in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Dr. Puri is highly rated in 16 conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Apoplexy, Heart Attack, Arterial Embolism, Angina, and Pacemaker Implantation.

James Zellner is a Thoracic Surgeon in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Dr. Zellner is highly rated in 14 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Aortic Valve Stenosis, Carotid Artery Disease, Mitral Valve Regurgitation, Heart Bypass Surgery, and Heart Valve Repair.

Edward Robbins is a Thoracic Surgeon in Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. Robbins is highly rated in 13 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Lung Nodules, Lung Cancer, Pleuropulmonary Blastoma, Advanced Bronchoscopy, and Parathyroidectomy.

Lifford Lee Lancaster is a Thoracic Surgeon in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Lee Lancaster is highly rated in 13 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Carotid Artery Disease, Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA), Heart Bypass Surgery, and Carotid Artery Surgery.

Chandrashekhar Ramaiah is a Thoracic Surgeon in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Ramaiah is highly rated in 13 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Aortic Valve Stenosis, Bicuspid Aortic Valve, Cystic Medial Necrosis of Aorta, Heart Bypass Surgery, and Heart Valve Repair.

John Lazar is a Thoracic Surgeon in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Lazar is highly rated in 13 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Lung Nodules, Fibrosing Mediastinitis, Lung Cancer, Endoscopy, and Gastrostomy.

G Phillip is a Thoracic Surgeon in Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. Phillip is highly rated in 12 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Carotid Artery Disease, Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA), Carotid Artery Surgery, and Heart Bypass Surgery.

Clayton Kaiser is a Thoracic Surgeon in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Kaiser is highly rated in 11 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Aortic Dissection, Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, Cystic Medial Necrosis of Aorta, Aortic Valve Replacement, and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR).

Evelio Rodriguez is a Thoracic Surgeon in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Rodriguez is highly rated in 11 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Mitral Valve Regurgitation, Necrosis, Aortic Valve Stenosis, Patent Foramen Ovale Repair, and Heart Valve Repair.

Sreekumar Subramanian is a Thoracic Surgeon in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Subramanian is highly rated in 11 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Mitral Valve Regurgitation, Aortic Valve Stenosis, Endocarditis, Heart Bypass Surgery, and Patent Foramen Ovale Repair.