Dilachew A Adebo , MD

The Children’s Heart Institute at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital – named one of the top hospitals nationally in Cardiology & Heart Surgery by U.S. News & World Report – offers innovative solutions for patients with congenital or acquired heart disease. In collaboration with pediatric sub-specialists at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, the affiliated team provides comprehensive care for newborns, children and adolescents, with a smooth transition into adult congenital cardiac care.

Damien J. LaPar, MD, MSc, is chief of pediatric and congenital cardiac surgery and executive co-director of UTHealth Houston Children’s Heart Institute. He is also an associate professor of cardiovascular surgery and the John P. and Kathrine G. McGovern Distinguished Chair at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. LaPar specializes in the surgical repair of the most complex neonatal and infant congenital heart defects, as well as the full range of congenital heart diseases that affect children, adolescents, and adults. He is committed to his patients’ needs, helping them and their families overcome their most significant and challenging times in life in an approachable, down-to-earth, and honest environment. LaPar trained in congenital heart surgery at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital. He’s a triple board-certified pediatric cardiac surgeon with specialized certification from the American Board of Thoracic Surgery for pediatric and congenital cardiac surgery. His dedication to academic pediatric and congenital heart surgery is deeply rooted in his 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 professional leadership. LaPar is an internationally recognized basic/translational science investigator and clinical science researcher, serving as the director of research and academic affairs for the UTHealth Houston Children’s Heart Institute. His funded congenital heart disease research lab focuses on innovative myocardial reconditioning and restorative therapies. His focused research includes extensive multi-institutional clinical research collaboratives and clinical trials. LaPar previously practiced in New York City at Columbia University and the combined New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York-Weill Cornell Komansky Children’s Hospital’s congenital heart surgery program, where he served as director of pediatric cardiac surgery at Weill Cornell and co-director of outcomes and quality at the Congenital Heart Center. Patient Referrals: ReferAHeart@uth.tmc.edu

Jorge D. Salazar, MD, is a fellowship-trained, board-certified pediatric cardiovascular surgeon specializing in surgery for children and adults with congenital heart disease and acquired heart conditions. He’s the executive director of the UTHealth Houston Children’s Heart Institute. He’s also a professor, chief of pediatric and cardiovascular surgery, and the John P. and Kathrine G. McGovern Distinguished Chair at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. His other appointments include adjunct professor in the Department of Pediatrics and in the Department of Anesthesiology at McGovern Medical School. Salazar performs complex neonatal repairs of complex cardiac defects. His extensive expertise allows him to provide advanced surgical care from the most complex diagnoses to patients requiring minimally invasive procedures. He’s passionate about his commitment to the care and treatment of patients with heart disease. Salazar works with the pediatric and congenital heart surgery team at the Children’s Heart Institute. This team of specially trained congenital heart surgeons specializes in caring for complex newborns, single ventricle palliations, heart transplants, hybrid catheter procedures, and everything in between. They work closely with professionals from all specialties to provide holistic care for each patient. The team proudly offers their unique perspective on any patient as a consult or second opinion. They accept referrals and requests for second opinions from patient families nationally and internationally. The team is dedicated to advancing surgical techniques and care pathways and providing outstanding outcomes to everyone affected by a congenital heart defect. Along with this advanced team of experts, Salazar provides hope for patients and their families. He’s a highly motivated physician with clinical and research interests related to congenital heart surgery for the best possible outcomes, transparency, and superior quality of care. He has devoted his life to a mission of hope for every patient. Salazar completed residency training in general and cardiothoracic surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, and two years of dedicated scientific research. He then completed his pediatric cardiothoracic surgery fellowship at the University of California – San Francisco. Outside of his clinical practice, Salazar is an accomplished investigator in numerous clinical trials evaluating novel therapies to treat the most complex congenital heart defects. In particular, Salazar specializes in protecting the brain during congenital heart repairs.