Damien LaPar, MD, MSc, has joined the section of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery

Damien J. LaPar, MD, MSc, has joined the Section of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery in the Division of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery at the NYP/Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital at Columbia University Medical Center and Weill-Cornell Medical Center.

Dr. LaPar recently served as Chief Clinical Fellow in Congenital Cardiac Surgery at Harvard Medical School/Boston Children’s Hospital. After graduating medical school at the University of Colorado, he completed his General Surgery and Adult Cardiothoracic Surgery training at the University of Virginia, where he also did a two-year basic science Postdoctoral Research Fellowship and acquired a Master of Science in Clinical Research degree from the School of Public Health Sciences.

Dr. LaPar was also awarded a two-year NIH/NHLBI Cardiothoracic Surgery Trials Network (CTSN) Investigator Fellowship. His award-winning research has resulted in national and international research presentations and publications. He has also served in several national leadership roles, including the President of the Thoracic Surgery Resident’s Association (TSRA) and the Resident Director to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Board of Directors.

“My pursuit of an academic career in pediatric congenital heart surgery is deeply rooted in my desire to advance the treatment of congenital heart disease and to make a difference in the lives of children and their families through compassionate patient care, innovative research and scholarship, and leadership,” says Dr. LaPar. His clinical interests are in neonatal cardiac surgery, pediatric VADs, minimally-invasive pediatric cardiac surgery, and VATS (Video-assisted Thoracic Surgery) for PDA ligation and vascular ring repair. His research interests include stem-cell and myocardial regenerative therapy, as well as multi-institutional clinical research collaboratives and clinical trials.

The Pediatric Heart Center provides a family-centered team approach and is a national leader, offering comprehensive, multidisciplinary care and the latest innovations for children requiring expert heart and congenital surgery.

To reach Dr. LaPar, please call 212.305.5975