About me
Keki R. Balsara, MD, MBA, FACS, FACC, is Surgical Director of Heart Transplantation and Mechanical Circulatory Support at the MedStar Heart and Vascular Institute, the highest volume ventricular-assist device program in the Mid Atlantic, and Professor of Surgery at Georgetown University School of Medicine.
Dr. Balsara joins us from the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he served as Associate Professor of Surgery and Chief Quality and Safety Officer in the Department of Cardiac Surgery. Moreover, he was the Vice Chair of Network Surgical Strategy and Development for the Section of Surgical Sciences. He had an additional appointment at the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System. He was previously Assistant Professor of Surgery in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Surgical Director for the Cardiothoracic Surgery ICU at Washington University in St. Louis/Barnes Jewish Hospital.
As a board-certified cardiac surgeon and intensivist with nearly 10 years of experience in the field, Dr. Balsara sees patients across the entire spectrum of cardiac disease. This includes coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, aortic pathology, and complex re-operative surgery. He has a particular interest in end-stage heart failure, heart transplantation, and mechanical circulatory support. He brings with him a wealth of experience in expanding both the donor and recipient pools for transplantation, including the use of hepatitis-C and DCD-donors, as well as broad utilization of the TransMedics® OCS™ Heart System platform and normothermic regional perfusion.
Additional clinical interests include cardiac critical care and end-of-life care. Dr. Balsara has a particular interest in quality improvement and standardization of care to improve outcomes, reduce waste, and increase access to care. In particular, he is passionate about leveraging the scale of health systems to offer a variety of cutting-edge therapies to patients from varied geographic and economic backgrounds who have previously been denied access.
His research interests have focused on expanding ways to increase the number of organs available, including the use of the TransMedics® OCS™ Heart System, identifying DCD (donor after cardiac death) donors, and the use of normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) for DCD donor organs. More recently, his research has looked at maximizing hospital-wide efficiencies, focusing on cost-containment in the operating room, an interest that goes hand-in-hand with his MBA focus on management and strategy.
Dr. Balsara received his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He completed an internship and residency in general surgery at the Duke University School of Medicine. In addition, he completed a post-doctoral research fellowship in end-stage heart and lung failure and a fellowship in surgical critical care at Duke. He did his cardiothoracic surgical training at the Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Dedicated to the advancement of the field of cardiothoracic surgery, Dr. Balsara is widely published and has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed articles and multiple book chapters, and has been an invited lecturer, discussant, and/or moderator for numerous national and international meetings. He is also committed to teaching medical students and residents, cultivating the next generation of healthcare leaders.
He is a member of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation, American College of Surgeons, Society of Thoracic Surgeons, Southern Thoracic Surgical Association, American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, and American College of Healthcare Executives.
Dr. Balsara is an Ad Hoc reviewer for multiple publications, including Allergy – The European Journal of Allergy and Immunology, Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Annals
Clinical areas of focus
- Aortic Aneurysm
- Aortic Valve Disease
- Aortic Valve Repair
- Cardiac Arrest
- Cardiomyopathy
- Cardiopulmonary Bypass
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
- Myocardial Infarction
- Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
- Reoperation, Coronary Artery Bypass
- Rheumatic Tricuspid Valve Disease
- Thoracic Aortic Dissection
- Transesophageal Echocardiography
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair
- Abnormal Heart Rhythm
- Acute Bacterial Endocarditis
- Aneurysm Of Ascending Aorta
- Aneurysm Of Descending Aorta
- Aortic Aneurysm
- Aortic Arch Aneurysm
- Aortic Valve Disease
- Aortic Valve Regurgitation
- Atrial Septal Defect
- Cardiac Arrest
- Cardiac Tamponade
- Cardiomyopathy
- Congenital Heart Valve Defects
- Coronary Artery Blockage
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Heart Attack
- Heart Bypass Surgery
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
- Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
- Marfan Syndrome
- Mitral Valve Prolapse
- Mitral Valve Stenosis
- Myocardial Infarction
- Pleural Effusion
- Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
- Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
- Rheumatic Tricuspid Valve Disease
- Right Ventricular Aneurysm
- Thoracic Aortic Dissection
- Thoracoabdominal Aneurysm
- Transposition Of The Great Arteries
- Tricuspid Stenosis
- Valve Disease With Congestive Heart Failure
- Visceral Artery Aneurysm
Procedures I perform
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair
- Ablation For Atrial Fibrillation
- Aortic Root Replacement
- Aortic Rupture Treatment
- Aortic Valve Repair
- Atrial Septal Defect Repair
- Atrial Septum Supplement
- Bilateral Cardiac Sampling And Pressure
- Bronchial Brush Biopsy
- Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Cardiac Output Assistance
- Cardiac Output Monitoring
- Cardiac Rhythm Measurement
- Cardiac Sampling And Pressure Measurement
- Cardiac Surgical Device Explantation
- Cardiac Ultrasound
- Cardiopulmonary Bypass
- Cardioversion
- Chest Wall Manipulation
- Chest Wall Oscillation
- Coronary Artery Brachytherapy
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
- Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
- Electrocardiogram
- Endoscopy With Vein Harvest
- Excision Of Left Atrium
- External Heart Assist System Insertion
- External Iliac Artery Supplement
- Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
- Heart Assist System Insertion
- Heart Therapeutic Injection
- Heart Transplant
- Heart Transplantation
- Heart Ultrasonography
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Treatment
- Insertion Infusion Device
- Insertion Of Conduit To Short
- Inspection Of Chest Wall
- Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump
- Intraaortic Balloon Pump Placement
- Laparoscopy
- Maze Procedure For Atrial Fibrillation
- Median Sternotomy
- Mediastinotomy
- Mediastinum Drainage
- Mesenteric Angiography
- Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery
- Mitral Balloon Valvuloplasty
- MRA With Contrast
- Myocardial Perfusion Imaging
- Occlusion Of Left Atrial Appendage
- Pacemaker Pulse Generator Insertion
- Pacemaker Upgrade
- Pancreas Allograft Preparation
- Patent Ductus Arteriosus Repair
- Pericardial Cavity Drainage
- Pericardial Window Creation
- Pericardiotomy
- Pleural Cavity Drainage
- Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome Treatment
- Pulmonary Valve Replacement
- Removal Of Prosthetic Material
- Reoperation, Coronary Artery Bypass
- Spinal Pump Removal
- Sternal Debridement
- Sternum Rigid Plate Internal Fixation
- Subclavian Artery Extirpation
- Thoracic Aorta Fluoroscopy
- Thoracic Aorta Restriction
- Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair
- Transesophageal Echocardiography
- Transthoracic Echocardiography
- Tricuspid Valve Repair
- Tricuspid Valve Supplement With Synthetic Substitute
- Valvuloplasty
- Venous Closure Device Placement
- Ventricular Assist Device
- Ventricular Assist Device Interrogation
Insurance
MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.
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List of insurance plans we accept
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Network OA
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Core Essential (HMO)
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Aetna Classic 5000
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Navigate
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- POS OA
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- UHC Passport
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- First Health PPO
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Aetna HMO
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- IH-Open HMO
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Beech Street PPO
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- Choice POS II Open Access
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- HealthyBlue PPO
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- IH-POS
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- Aetna Classic 3500
- CareFirst Administrators
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- First Health PPO
- Medicare Direct
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- Aetna Basic
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- IH-PPO
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- Blue Choice Advantage
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Medicare FFS
- IH-Indemnity
- CareFirst NASCO
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Choice POS II
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- Choice Fund PPO
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- TRICARE for Life East
- United Healthcare Choice
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- IH-Open HMO Option
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- IH-POS Plus
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- Sentara Health
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Aetna VA Exchange
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- TRICARE East Prime
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- IH-Open POS II
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Choice POS
- OA Plus
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- Optimum Choice
- IH-EPO Plus
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- CIGNA EPO
- CIGNA PPO
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- CareFirst EPO
- IH-Open POS Plus
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- TRICARE East Select
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- HumanaChoice PPO
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- United Student Resources
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- Employee Health Plan
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- HighMark
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- IH-HMO
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Surgery, General Surgery
Board Certification: American Board of Thoracic Surgery, Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery
Graduate: University of Pennsylvania (2019)
Fellowship: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (2014)
Residency: Duke University Medical Center (2011)
Fellowship: Duke University Medical Center (2011)
Medical School: University of Pennsylvania (2003)