Dr. Louie most recently received the 2024 Thoracic Surgery Top Doc designation and has received the Seattle Top Doc award for multiple consecutive years. Philosophy of care: Dr. Louie’s practice involves all aspects of general thoracic surgery including the lung, esophagus, stomach and mediastinum. He has particular interests in minimally invasive surgery that involves the use of laparoscopy, robotics and endoscopy for both cancer and non-cancerous diseases. He believes that care is about helping patients and their families understand their illness and guiding them in selecting treatment that is appropriate and individualized for the patient at his or her stage of life. Dr. Louie is highly rated in 19 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Hiatal Hernia, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Achalasia, Endoscopy, and Thymectomy.

Dr. Farivar is a multiple time recipient of the Seattle Top Doctor Award and most recently received the 2023 Seattle Magazine Top Doc Award. Dr. Farivar has a broad-based thoracic surgery practice. He enjoys helping patients and their families through their healthcare journey. He takes great effort to incorporate the needs and beliefs of patients and their families in his treatment plans. Dr. Farivar has a particular interest in lung and esophageal disorders, including cancer treatment. He also has interests in the appropriate use of robotic surgery to address thoracic surgery pathology, as well as malignant pleural mesothelioma. Dr. Farivar is highly rated in 15 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Hiatal Hernia, Diaphragmatic Hernia, Hernia, Hernia Surgery, and Endoscopy.

Dr. Lehr is a perennial Seattle Met Top Doctor Award winner. Dr. Lehr is highly rated in 11 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Mitral Valve Regurgitation, Aortic Valve Stenosis, Aortic Regurgitation, Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG), and Heart Bypass Surgery.

Dr. White is recognized as a Seattle Top Doctor and most recently received the 2023 Seattle Met Top Doc Award for Thoracic Surgery. Dr. White is a fellowship-trained thoracic surgeon who cares for patients within all aspects of general thoracic surgery. He believes that surgery is only one facet of a comprehensive, personalized treatment plan. He has a particular interest in using minimally invasive techniques, including laparoscopic, video assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) and robotic assisted surgery, but stresses that each operation is tailored for the individual patient to strive for optimal results and safety. Dr. White is highly rated in 5 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Hiatal Hernia, Diaphragmatic Hernia, Hernia, Hernia Surgery, and Thymectomy.

Dr. Youssef is a perennial award winner of the Seattle Met Top Doctor Award. His philosophy of care is to listen to patients and their hearts, empower them in understanding their conditions, and carry them through operations in the most skilled, scientific, and compassionate manner possible. Dr. Youssef is highly rated in 9 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Aortic Dissection, Cystic Medial Necrosis of Aorta, Aortic Valve Stenosis, Heart Valve Repair, and Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG).

Dr. Ryan is a 2021 Seattle Met Top Doctor Award winner. Dr. Ryan's goal is to create a care environment that fosters truly informed decisions on the part of the patient and family, both in the decision making phase as well as during the complete recovery period. Dr. Ryan is highly rated in 7 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Aortic Valve Stenosis, Aortic Regurgitation, Atrial Myxoma, Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG), and Heart Valve Repair.

Dr. Lee strives to help each patient understand their condition and works with them and their families to provide the best individualized care plan possible. Dr. Lee takes pride in ensuring each patient feels heard and understood, and is committed to being involved in every step of the healing process. Dr. Lee is highly rated in 2 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Mitral Valve Regurgitation, Aortic Valve Stenosis, Cystic Medial Necrosis of Aorta, Heart Bypass Surgery, and Heart Valve Repair.

Dr. Roland A. Hernandez is an adult cardiac surgeon practicing at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, WA. He specializes in routine and complex coronary artery revascularization, and minimally invasive approaches to the aortic valve and ascending aorta. His interests extend to care of heart conditions in the emergency setting including advanced cardiac support for heart failure. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree at the University of Michigan Medical School where he discovered the love of cardiac surgery. He began his general surgery training at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and is a graduate of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a Harvard Medical School Affiliate. During his training he also completed a Master of Public Health from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. He was selected to complete his cardiothoracic surgery training at the University of California, Los Angeles under the direction of Dr. Richard Shemin, an internationally renowned leader, expert and innovator in cardiac surgery. The recipient of many clinical and teaching awards, he values the evidence-based practice of surgery and open communication with patients to achieve their treatment goals. Having cared for his own parents through multiple major surgical procedures, he recognizes what it is like to be the loved one of a patient undergoing surgery. He views the practice of cardiac surgery not only as a privilege but also a high responsibility and is humbled to be a member of your care team. In his spare time, he enjoys making friends and family laugh, University of Michigan football, and smoking Central Texas style BBQ brisket. Dr. Hernandez is highly rated in 2 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Aortic Valve Stenosis, Aortic Dissection, Cystic Medial Necrosis of Aorta, Heart Bypass Surgery, and Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG).

Misho Hubka, MD, is a board-certified thoracic surgeon. His special medical interests include Robotic and Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS), lung cancer surgery, esophageal cancer surgery, and complex surgery for benign and malignant disease of the lung, chest wall, esophagus and mediastinum.Dr. Hubka is a member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, STS Patient Safety Workforce and Western Thoracic Surgical Association. He was named a Top Doctor by Seattle Met Magazine in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Dr. Hubka is highly rated in 27 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Hiatal Hernia, Hernia, Neuroendocrine Tumor, Gastrostomy, and Endoscopy.

Dr. Adam Bograd most recently received the 2025 Thoracic Surgery Top Doc designation and has received the Seattle Top Doc award for multiple consecutive years. He believes in using minimally invasive approaches in order to minimize discomfort, accelerate patient recovery, and allow patients to return quickly to their daily activities. In addition to utilizing the highest level of technological expertise for patient care, he also firmly believes in a hands-on, person-specific approach to make certain that all patients are given the best possible care. Dr Bograd has advanced fellowship training in thoracic surgical oncology from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. In 2025, Dr. Adam Bograd was elected to the board of directors for the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF). The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation is the nonprofit collaboration of patients and families, physicians, advocates, and researchers. Dr. Bograd is highly rated in 6 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Hiatal Hernia, Diaphragmatic Hernia, Lung Cancer, Hernia Surgery, and Thymectomy.

Gabriel Aldea is a Thoracic Surgeon in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Aldea is highly rated in 14 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Aortic Valve Stenosis, Mitral Valve Regurgitation, Mitral Stenosis, Heart Valve Repair, and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR).

Madha Kuppusamy, MD, specializes in minimally invasive thoracic surgery; benign and malignant disease of the lungs and esophagus; mediastinum and chest wall surgery including deformity correction and reconstructive surgery; lung cancer; and esophageal cancer. Dr. Kuppusamy is highly rated in 12 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Hiatal Hernia, Hernia, Pleuropulmonary Blastoma, ALK-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, and Gastrostomy.

Dr. Robert J. Moraca currently serves as System Medical Director of Cardiac Surgery at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, and Section Chief of Cardiac Surgery at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle Washington.Dr. Moraca returned to Virginia Mason Medical Center in 2020 with nearly 11 years of experience in academic cardiac surgery as an Associate Professor of Surgery at Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA where he served as Director of Thoracic Aortic Surgery, Director of the ECMO Program, Director of Cardiac Surgical Research and Surgical Director of the Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH) Program.Clinically, Dr. Moraca has an extensive experience in all aspects of adult cardiac surgery and has special expertise in redo cardiac surgery, complex aortic surgery, revisional and multi-valve reconstructions and septal myectomy.  In addition, he has unique experience in the multidisciplinary treatment of CTEPH and Pulmonary Thromboendarterectomy (PTE).Dr. Moraca has been an active clinical investigator in multiple national transcatheter valve, arrhythmia and heart failure trials and he has been a co-principal investigator on several National Institute of Health (NIH) R-01 funded research trials in both pulmonary hypertension and ECMO. He has been program chair for more than 15 multidisciplinary regional meetings, Dr. Moraca has published nearly 40 peer reviewed articles and book chapters and has been an invited lecturer at multiple academic institutions and national meetings. Notably, he served as the President of the Eastern Cardiothoracic Surgical Society (ECTSS) in 2016.  Since his arrival in Seattle, WA in 2020, he has been recognized as one of Seattle’s Top Doctors in 2021-2025.Dr. Moraca enjoys being able to positively impact his patients through the stress of cardiac surgery by listening, education and shared decision making and is consistently inspired by his patient’s courage and fortitude.  He is both humbled and proud of the entire Virginia Mason Medical Center team's notable quality accomplishments obtaining a 2024 STS 3 Star ratings in cardiac surgery and also  being recognized in 2023 by the U.S. News & World Report as #46 in Cardiac Surgery and Cardiology Care in the United States.Away from work, he enjoys reading, climbing, skiing, biking, and spending time with his family and two dogs. Dr. Moraca is highly rated in 10 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis, Aortic Valve Stenosis, Aortic Valve Replacement, and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR).

Gautam Velamoor, MD, is a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon with special medical interest in aortic surgery, cardiac surgery, aortic valve replacement, and mitral valve repair and replacement. His areas of expertise include adult cardiac surgery, coronary bypass surgery, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), aortic valve replacement, mitral valve repair and replacement, and aortic surgery.Dr. Velamoor enjoys the positive, life-altering nature of cardiac surgery. He feels good communication is vital as patient's weigh their treatment choices and take charge of their own health.Dr. Velamoor is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), and a member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and American Medical Association. Formerly Section Head of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Dr. Velamoor now serves as Director of Surgical and Perioperative Quality, and Surgical Director of the Structural Heart Program at Virginia Mason Medical Center. He has been named a Top Doctor withSeattle MetropolitanandSeattlemagazines consecutively since 2013.Away from work, Dr. Velamoor enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing golf and traveling. Dr. Velamoor is highly rated in 9 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Aortic Valve Stenosis, Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, Mitral Valve Regurgitation, Heart Bypass Surgery, and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR).

Joel Sternbach, MD, is a board-certified thoracic surgeon specializes in the minimally invasive treatment of benign and malignant conditions of the lung, esophagus, mediastinum, pleura and chest wall. He offers surgical solutions for esophageal motility disorders and reflux disease (GERD), and performs robotic and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Dr. Sternbach is highly rated in 5 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Achalasia, Lung Nodules, Hiatal Hernia, Endoscopy, and Gastrostomy.

Eric Vallieres is a Thoracic Surgeon in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Vallieres is highly rated in 7 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Lung Cancer, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), Pleural Effusion, Thymectomy, and Endoscopy. Dr. Vallieres is currently accepting new patients.

Donald Low is a Thoracic Surgeon in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Low is highly rated in 6 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Hiatal Hernia, Diaphragmatic Hernia, Esophageal Cancer, Endoscopy, and Gastrostomy.

Jay Pal is a Thoracic Surgeon in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Pal is highly rated in 4 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Cardiogenic Shock, Aortic Dissection, Aortic Regurgitation, Heart Transplant, and Lung Transplant.

Christopher Burke is a Thoracic Surgeon in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Burke is highly rated in 4 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Aortic Dissection, Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, Cystic Medial Necrosis of Aorta, Heart Valve Repair, and Aortic Valve Replacement.

Shakirat Oyetunji is a Thoracic Surgeon in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Oyetunji is highly rated in 3 conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Aortic Valve Stenosis, Congenital Coronary Artery Malformation, Tricuspid Regurgitation, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), and Aortic Valve Replacement.

As a thoracic surgeon, I care for patients with a wide range of general thoracic problems with a focus on minimally invasive techniques. I believe that patient education is highly important. Empowering patients with a comprehensive understanding of their disease process and treatment options allows us to make informed, joint decisions about the best approach for each individual patient. I prioritize clear, open communication to ensure both patients and their families are fully engaged in the care process. Compassion and active listening are at the heart of my practice, as I strive to create a supportive environment where patients feel heard and respected. Her top areas of expertise are Hiatal Hernia, Diaphragmatic Hernia, Achalasia, Esophageal Perforation, and Thymectomy.

Edward Verrier is a Thoracic Surgeon in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Verrier is highly rated in 4 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Aortic Valve Stenosis, Tetralogy of Fallot, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), Heart Valve Repair, and Aortic Valve Replacement.

Ruben Romero is a 2021 Seattle Met Top Doctor Award winner and graduated from Cleveland State University receiving his PA-C. He is a practicing physician assistant at Swedish Cardiac Surgery. His top areas of expertise are Familial Dilated Cardiomyopathy, Cardiomyopathy, Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, and Aortic Valve Replacement.

Steven Weinreich is a 2021 Seattle Met Top Doctor Award winner and follows an evidence based and patient centric approach to the cardiac surgery patients under his care. He feels that involving the patient and their family in their recovery is the best way to achieve an optimal outcome. His top areas of expertise are Familial Dilated Cardiomyopathy, Cardiomyopathy, Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, and Aortic Valve Replacement.

Martin is a Physician Assistant specializing in cardiac surgery care. His top areas of expertise are Familial Dilated Cardiomyopathy, Cardiomyopathy, Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, and Aortic Valve Replacement.