ER Wait Time: 253 Minutes 
Advanced Heart Failure Team
Comprehensive Advanced Heart Failure Program
Baptist’s team of advanced heart failure doctors and specialists uses a multidisciplinary approach to integrate every aspect of your care before, during and after your advanced heart failure procedure. They provide the highest quality heart transplantation procedure, using their expertise to save and transform lives.
Our cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiologists, nurse practitioners, nurses and other clinicians monitor the progress of your care plan closely, assisting with recovery and medications. Learn more about the specialists in the Baptist Advanced Heart Failure Program who will lead you on your journey to better heart health.
Cardiothoracic Surgeons
Our cardiothoracic surgeons are highly skilled and trained. They will meet with you during your evaluation to go over your care plan, including the risks, benefits and potential complications, as well as answer your questions. They also help lead the advanced heart failure team in your follow-up care.
Dr. Brian Bruckner
Director of Thoracic Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support and Primary Heart Transplant Surgeon
Dr. Bruckner will serve as director of thoracic transplant and mechanical circulatory support for Baptist. He built the largest ventricular assist device and transplant program in the state of Texas during his time at Houston Methodist Hospital. He earned his doctorate from the University of Florida College of Medicine and his Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from the University of Florida. Dr. Bruckner completed his residency and research fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine and his transplant residency at Texas Heart Institute, both in Houston.
Dr. Edward Garrett, Jr.
Advanced Heart Failure and Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) Program Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Dr. Garrett graduated from Vanderbilt University’s School of Medicine before completing both a general residency and cardiothoracic surgery residency at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Dr. Garrett returned to his hometown of Memphis to complete a peripheral vascular surgery residency at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, where he is currently a professor of surgery and program director for the Division of Vascular Surgery.
Advanced Heart Failure Cardiologists
Specialists in heart failure, advanced heart failure and end-stage heart disease, our advanced heart failure cardiologists are also highly trained in device therapy and transplantation, including immunosuppression and long-term management of the cardiac transplant patient. They lead the multidisciplinary care team.
Dr. Todd Edwards
Advanced Heart Failure and Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) Program Transplant Cardiologist
Dr. Edwards received training from Hahnemann Medical College in Philadelphia, and he completed his internal medicine and cardiovascular medicine training at the University of Pittsburgh. He is board certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, transthoracic and transesophageal adult echocardiography, nuclear cardiology and advanced heart failure/advanced heart failure cardiology.
Dr. Osama Mahmoud
Advanced Heart Failure and Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) Program Transplant Cardiologist
Dr. Mahmoud attended the Suez Canal University Faculty of Medicine in Ismailia Egypt. He received his postgraduate training at Saint Agnes Hospital Center in Baltimore, MD, and his cardiovascular disease fellowship training at the Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, PA. From there he completed his fellowship training in advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology at the University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and Case Western Reserve University.
Dr. Arsalan Shirwany
Advanced Heart Failure and Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) Program Transplant Cardiologist
Dr. Shirwany completed fellowships in infectious diseases and cardiovascular diseases at the University of Tennessee in Memphis, where he was a professor of cardiology for five years. In addition to heart failure and advanced heart failure, his specialties include echocardiography and interventional cardiology.
Dr. Dmitry Yaranov
Program Director for Advanced Heart Failure, Heart Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support
Dr. Yaranov received postgraduate training at Danbury Hospital, a major affiliate of Yale University School of Medicine and Columbia University and general cardiology training at the University of Florida. He completed his advanced heart failure cardiology fellowship at Cleveland Clinic, the nation’s top institution for cardiovascular care.
Advanced Heart Failure Physician Specialists
Advanced heart failure care and transplantation are complex, long-term processes. To address every aspect of the many interrelated issues, a dedicated team of carefully selected medical specialists participate in the care of each advanced heart failure patient throughout the entire process.
- Dr. John Morris – Nephrology
- Dr. Edward Muir – Hematology and Oncology
- Dr. Stephen Threlkeld – Infectious Disease
- Dr. Muhammed Sheikh – Pulmonology
- Dr. William Mullinax – Palliative Care
- Dr. Ed Amos – Psychology
Advanced Heart Failure Nurse Practitioners
Under the supervision of a licensed physician, a Nurse Practitioner (NP) provides comprehensive, specialized care throughout the advanced heart failure process. Your NP may obtain your medical history, perform exams and supervise your heart transplant evaluation.
Transplant Coordinators
An advanced heart failure care coordinator is a registered nurse specially trained to care for patients in different phases of the treatment process. He or she coordinates your transplant evaluation and time spent on the heart transplant waiting list. During recovery, the advanced heart failure care coordinator monitors your progress in the hospital and provides follow-up care coordination and education once you are discharged.
Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Coordinators
A VAD coordinator is a registered nurse specially trained to provide care for patients who receive a ventricular assist device. The VAD coordinator provides education about the device, monitors your progress in the hospital, and provides follow-up care coordination once you are discharged.
Social Workers
Social workers are available for evaluation and supportive counseling for you and your family throughout all phases of heart transplantation. If you need information about fundraising, medication assistance, housing and other advanced heart failure resources, the advanced heart failure social worker can assist you.
Physical Therapist
A physical therapist will visit you through all phases of your advanced heart failure care. He or she will teach you exercises that are the most beneficial to maintaining your strength leading up to surgery and may refer you to a rehabilitation program in the early weeks after treatment.
Dietitian
An advanced heart failure dietitian’s role is to develop a nutritional plan that will help ensure you are as healthy as possible for your heart transplant surgery and life after it. He or she will assess your nutrition habits, address possible deficiencies, assess any need for weight loss, and talk about possible dietary restrictions and follow-up care.
Psychologist
Advanced heart failure care can be an emotionally difficult time for patients and their families. The psychologist’s main role as a member of the advanced heart failure team is to conduct an initial psychosocial evaluation and provide supportive follow-up throughout treatment, recovery and rehab.
Pharmacist
It is important for you to understand the medications you will need following your heart transplantation to help ensure success as a transplant recipient. The pharmacist will evaluate all prescribed drugs, monitor side effects, and watch for any possible drug interactions. Your advanced heart failure pharmacist will also assist with the monitoring and adjustments of your anti-rejection medications.
Chaplain
Baptist’s mission mirrors the three-fold ministry of Christ – healing, preaching and teaching. In addition to providing quality health care, we also strive to care for your emotional and spiritual well-being. The chaplain can help you and your family deal with the emotional and spiritual issues that can be associated with advanced heart failure.
Financial Coordinator
The financial coordinator will help you understand the cost of heart transplantation, explain your insurance benefits and assist you in identifying resources that may be available to you. The financial coordinator works with your insurance case manager to make sure you are approved for a heart transplant and pre-certified for hospital admission.
Palliative Care Coordinator
You and your family may have to make difficult decisions regarding your care. The palliative care coordinator is a specialized nurse focused on improving the quality of life for both you and your family. Regardless of your treatment choice, the coordinator will work with you and the advanced heart failure team to support you and your wishes.
Administrative and Management Team
The advanced heart failure administrative team helps to manage the processes surrounding your treatment and advanced heart failure care. The management team works closely with the hospital to ensure that our dedicated team consistently delivers comprehensive, quality-driven health care.