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 of Thoracic Surgery, Journal of Heart Failure, Artificial Organ Research and Development ASAIO Journal.
Philosophy of care
“All too often people think of surgeons as the doctors who just show up to the operating room when, in fact, I think performing surgery is but one of our tasks. Yes, I am a surgeon. But fundamentally, my job is to provide the appropriate guidance, counsel, and support to help my patients understand their diagnosis, treatment options, and prognosis so that, together, we can choose what’s best for them and their families.
“There’s no one size fits all approach to what we do. In order to make the best treatment recommendations, I take the time to get to know my patients, listen to their treatment goals, and answer all of their questions. My goal for each patient is to provide the best quality of life for the longest time possible. Ultimately, I’m guided and motivated to do what’s in each person’s best interest.
“I’m honest and straightforward with my patients. I owe them that. I have been on the receiving end of difficult healthcare conversations and, therefore, I firmly believe in honesty and transparency. The only way that my patients can make the best treatment decisions for themselves is to have a realistic idea of their situation, as terrifying as it may feel."
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
- Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Cardiac Output Assistance
- Cardiac Output Monitoring
- Cardiac Sampling And Pressure Measurement
- Cardiac Surgical Device Explantation
- Cardiac Ultrasound
- Cardiopulmonary Bypass
- Cardioversion
- Chest Wall Manipulation
- Chest Wall Oscillation
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
- Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
- Electrocardiogram
- Endoscopy With Vein Harvest
- Excision Of Left Atrium
- Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
- Heart Therapeutic Injection
- Heart Transplant
- Heart Transplantation
- Heart Ultrasonography
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Treatment
- Insertion Infusion Device
- Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump
- Intraaortic Balloon Pump Placement
- Laparoscopy
- Maze Procedure For Atrial Fibrillation
- Median Sternotomy
- Mediastinotomy
- 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 Window Creation
- Pleural Cavity Drainage
- Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome Treatment
- Pulmonary Valve Replacement
- Reoperation, Coronary Artery Bypass
- Spinal Pump Removal
- Subclavian Artery Extirpation
- Thoracic Aorta Fluoroscopy
- Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair
- Transesophageal Echocardiography
- Transthoracic Echocardiography
- Tricuspid Valve Repair
- Tricuspid Valve Supplement With Synthetic Substitute
- Valvuloplasty
- 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
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- Network OA
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- CIGNA PPO
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Choice Fund PPO
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- CareFirst NASCO
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- POS OA
- TRICARE East Select
- Navigate
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- CareFirst Administrators
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Aetna Basic
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Choice POS II
- First Health PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- IH-Indemnity
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- CIGNA Indemnity
- IH-Open HMO Option
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Medicare Direct
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- CareFirst EPO
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Core Essential (HMO)
- TRICARE for Life East
- Choice POS II Open Access
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Optimum Choice
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- IH-PPO
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- Aetna HMO
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Beech Street PPO
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- IH-Open HMO
- OA Plus
- Aetna Classic 3500
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- IH-EPO Plus
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- Aetna Classic 5000
- HighMark
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- First Health PPO
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- United Healthcare Choice
- Medicare FFS
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- Aetna VA Exchange
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- IH-Open POS II
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Employee Health Plan
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- TRICARE East Prime
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- IH-HMO
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- CIGNA EPO
- IH-Open POS Plus
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- United Student Resources
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- UHC Passport
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- Blue Choice Advantage
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- Sentara Health
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- Choice POS
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- IH-POS
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- IH-Network Only Plus
- IH-POS Plus
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Surgery, General Surgery
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)
Fellowship: Duke University Medical Center (2011)
Residency: Duke University Medical Center (2010)
Medical School: University of Pennsylvania (2003)