Medical Services Heart & Vascular Heart & Lung Surgery When you choose us for your care, you’ve chosen an exceptional care team. We’re known for our heart and lung surgery expertise. Find a Location Find a Doctor Heart & Vascular Menu Arrhythmia Center Diagnostic Testing Treatments/Procedures Cardiology Minimally Invasive Procedures Heart Attack Care Clinical Research Diagnostic Services Heart & Lung Surgery Heart Disease Treatment Lung & Airway Disease Treatment Other Services Cardiac Rehab Heart Failure Center Patient Success Stories Prevention & Wellness CardioVascular Mobile Health Unit Freshstart Hands-only CPR Healing Hearts Women's Support Group Heart Healthy Lifestyle Tips My Heart Rocks Take Time For Your Heart Women and Heart Disease Valve Center Treatments Your Hospital Stay Care After Heart Surgery Intensive Care for Heart Conditions Nurses with Heart Care Expertise Partners in Heart Care Transitional Care Units Heart and Lung Surgery Expertise Our heart and lung surgeons provide you with exceptional care using the latest surgical advances. In fact, the St. Elizabeth Heart & Vascular Institute has one of the nation's top-rated heart surgery programs. Our cardiothoracic surgeons have performed more than 16,000 open heart surgeries. It's this experience – combined with exceptional patient care – that makes us a leader in cardiothoracic surgery. Customized Heart and Lung Care Our surgeons use the least-invasive approach possible to ensure the best outcome and minimize the length of your hospital stay. Our specialists have the training and experience to perform even the most complex heart and lung surgeries. Your doctors, nurses, rehabilitation specialists and other members of your care team work together to make your hospital stay as comfortable as possible. We'll keep you and your family members well-informed and help you prepare for your recovery at home. Preparing for Heart Surgery at St. Elizabeth Your Road to Recovery Recovering after a heart attack or surgery takes time, and we’re here to help. Our rehabilitation experts will help you regain cardiovascular health and fitness safely. FIND OUT MORE Schedule an Appointment Call (859) 301-9010 Mary Hoffmeister Mary Hoffmeister learned she had a tumor in her heart. She appreciated the two hours Cardiac Surgeon Dr. George Christensen spent with her to help her understand her condition and prepare for surgery. READ MARY'S STORY Susan Cox Susan Cox did the unthinkable - she drove herself to the hospital, even though she thought she could be having a heart attack. SUSAN'S STORY