Meet Our Faculty

Cardiothoracic Surgery

 

Sambol

Justin Sambol, MD, FACS

Associate Professor

Chief, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery

Shakir
Dr. Huzaifa Shakir
Assistant Professor

 

Cardiothoracic Surgery

The Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School provides consultation and treatment services for cardiac and thoracic disorders and is proud of its commitment to the highest level of quality patient care.  The highly-trained faculty provide a full range of services in cardiac and thoracic surgery such as: minimally invasive cardiac surgery; mitral valve repair and replacement; off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB); complex aortic surgery, including dissections; arch replacements; and endovascular repair of thoracic aorta pathology.   In addition, we specialize in all aspects of thoracic surgery for both benign and malignant lesions of the chest.  The use of the daVinci Robotic System and navigational bronchoscopy has allowed the team to provide advanced minimally invasive techniques for all aspects of thoracic disorders.  In all cases, the division demonstrates excellent clinical outcomes and the highest patient satisfaction.

 

Cardiac Surgery

Our top-quality faculty specialize in highly specific surgeries and use state of the art technology to achieve the most successful patient outcomes.  Dr. Justin Sambol performs more than 95 percent of his bypass surgeries with the heart beating (without the use of a bypass machine), with no mortalities.  This can be safer for patients who meet certain criteria and it also decreases the need for blood transfusions.  Only 20-25 percent of bypass surgeries in the U.S. are performed this way, a testament to Dr. Sambol’s experience and ability.  His team is particularly adept at handling clinical emergencies, particularly complicated aortic dissection, and receives patients from throughout the state who require emergent procedure. Dr. Constantinos Lovoulos has particular expertise in complex aortic surgery, and performed the first hybrid endovascular repair of the aortic arch at University Hospital.  These complex surgeries have an excellent survival rate.

 

Thoracic Surgery

The cardiothoracic team which incluces Dr. Paul Bolanowski performs specialized thoracic surgeries for the treatment of benign and malignant diseases of the chest including treatment for lung cancer and metastasis to the lung.  Many of these procedures are performed using the daVinci Robotic System and VATS procedures, or video assisted thoracic surgery.  This allows the procedure to be done in a minimally invasive way using small incisions and cameras.  Our team also performs specialized procedures for tracheal diseases including tracheal stenting and reconstruction for tracheal stenosis, as well as thymectomy for the treatment of Myesthenia Gravis.

  

The team also performs surgical procedures for conditions that can negatively impact daily functioning.  These procedures include rib resections for Thoracic Outlet Obstruction, as well as thoracascopic sympathectomy, treatment for hyperhydrosis, commonly known as sweaty palms.  Typically patients have a short recovery time and minimal scarring following these types of surgeries.

 

 

Cardiothoracic Surgery Contact:

Department of Surgery

Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery

150 Bergen St. U.H. Flore F 102

Newark, NJ 07102
 
Sharmayne Fontaine

(973) 972-3509

Fontaish@njms.rutgers.edu