UT-Houston Media Hotline: 713-500-3030 UT-Houston Media Contact: Sandra Henry Phone: 713-500-3308 Pager: 713-761-8107 [email protected]
RENOWNED CARDIOVASCULAR SURGEON JOINS UT-HOUSTON MEDICAL SCHOOL AND HERMANN HOSPITAL
HOUSTON - (June 2, 1999) - Hazim J. Safi, M.D., has been appointed the chairman designate of the new department of cardiothoracic and vascular surgery being created at The University of Texas-Houston Medical School. Safi has been recruited to enhance research programs and to develop a significant teaching effort for medical students, residents and fellows at UT-Houston while serving as chief of the cardiothoracic and vascular surgery service at Hermann Hospital.
"Both institutions are deeply committed to working with Dr. Safi to develop a cardiothoracic center of excellence," said L. Maximilian Buja, M.D., Dean of UT-Houston Medical School. "With his experience at the helm of the cardiothoracic and vascular surgery program and with our existing strengths in cardiology, I am certain our endeavor to create a cohesive cardiovascular disease program will be a success."
Safi has spent almost 22 years at Baylor College of Medicine, most recently as professor in the department of surgery and head of the division of vascular surgery from where he will relocate his laboratory to UT-Houston.
His research interests include clinical protocols as well as basic laboratory investigations. Of particular research interest to Safi are the impact of surgery on the life expectancy on patients with Marfan's syndrome, improved patient outcome during aneurysm repair requiring hypothermia and circulatory arrest, and the use of cerebral spinal fluid drainage and distal aortic perfusion during thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm surgery.
Trained by Michael E. DeBakey, M.D., and an associate of the late E. Stanley Crawford, M.D., his clinical interests focus on aortic (ascending arch and thoracoabdominal) aneurysm surgery. Announcing Safi's appointment Hermann Hospital CEO James Eastham said, "We are fortunate to have Dr. Safi joining our organization. His arrival brings a new dimension to the comprehensive scope of services available at Hermann Hospital and significantly enhances our ability to offer patients the latest treatments and innovations."
"UT-Houston is fast becoming a leader in the field of preventing, diagnosing and reversing cardiovascular disease in people of all ages," said M. David Low, M.D., Ph.D, president of UT-Houston Health Science Center. "Dr. Safi's breadth of knowledge, experience and clinical credentials will enrich our cardiovascular efforts on many levels."
Safi is a member of the following professional organizations: American College of Surgeons, American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Cardiology, European Society of Vascular Surgery, International Society of Cardiovascular Surgery (North American Chapter), Michael E. DeBakey International Cardiovascular Society, Society for Critical Care, Society for Vascular Surgery, Society of Thoracic Surgery, Southern Association of Vascular Surgery, Southwestern Surgical Congress, the American Association of Thoracic Surgery, The American Medical Association, The Harris County Medical Society, The Houston Surgical Society, The Southern Thoracic Surgical Association, The Texas Medical Association and The Texas Surgical Society.
-- 30 --
RSS