S. Jacob Scheinerman, MD

"We don't just operate on people. We care for them and about them."Dr. S. Jacob Scheinerman is the chairman of the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan. As a top-rated New York state cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Scheinerman also serves as the vice president of the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery for Northwell Health's western region, which includes Staten Island University Hospital, Lenox Health Greenwich Village, Northern Westchester, and Phelps Hospitals.Dr. Scheinerman's passion for cardiac surgery was sparked by his fascination with the world's first heart transplant back in 1967. A grammar school student at the time, he was captivated by this historic medical achievement. The idea of replacing one human's heart with another's led him down a path that would become his lifelong mission to not only heal patients with cardiac ailments, but to truly care for them. Dr. Scheinerman has brought this mission to life, developing a standard practice of giving patients and their family members focused attention with exceptional treatment.With meticulous attention to detail and an unwavering dedication to running quality programs, Dr. Scheinerman continues to build upon the tradition of surgical excellence set by Lenox Hill Hospital's nationally recognized cardiovascular and thoracic surgeons. In 2017, under Dr. Scheinerman's leadership, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) recognized Lenox Hill's cardiothoracic program with an overall 3-star quality rating the highest rating in mitral valve repair/replacement (MVRR), coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and lobectomy for lung cancer. In 2016, the program achieved an astounding 0 percent mortality in CABG surgery, valve surgery, CABG and valve surgery, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) surgery and lobectomy surgery for lung cancer. The hospital was also recognized among America's 100 Best Hospitals for exceptional outcomes (2016-2018) in Cardiac Care including heart bypass surgery, coronary interventional procedures, heart attack treatment, heart failure treatment, and heart valve surgery.Dr. Scheinerman joined Northwell Health back in 2006 as associate chairman at Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Medical Center. During his nine years, Dr. Scheinerman achieved the lowest statistically significant risk-adjusted mortality rate of any surgeon in New York state, earning the prestigious double asterisk from the state Department of Health in five annual reports covering 2007-2013. At that time he helped position the hospital as a premier destination for cardiac care by achieving the state's best outcomes for patients undergoing heart valve and coronary artery bypass graft surgeries for seven consecutive annual reports (2007-2015). Before arriving at LIJ, Dr. Scheinerman practiced for 18 years at St. Francis Hospital Medical Center, home to one of New England's most active and respected cardiothoracic centers. He was also president of the Board of Directors of the central Connecticut affiliate of the American Heart Association.Dr. Scheinerman is certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. His areas of expertise include all aspects of complex cardiac surgeries, including coronary artery bypass and valvular procedures. He also is active in clinical research in areas such as TAVR and mitral valve therapies.Dr. Scheinerman is a graduate of NYU School of Medicine, where he received his residency and fellowship training. He also earned his bachelor's degree at NYU, graduating summa cum laude.With decades of outstanding accomplishments in the medical field and having performed thousands of cardiac procedures, Dr. Scheinerman believes that you must love what you do, have a strong work ethic, and be truly committed to your patients and their care in order to be a successful cardiothoracic surgeon. He adds that the rewards of all the hard work of a surgeon are most definitely worth it talking with loved ones after a successful surgery and seeing their smiling, relieved faces is all he needs."All the work, all the sacrifices pay off when you make a difference in people's lives," he often says to his son, a thoracic fellow at NYU. "This is why we do what we do. Always remember you're helping people."