HCA Florida JFK Hospital is proud to announce that Cristian Baeza, M.D., a nationally and internationally recognized cardiothoracic surgeon and leading expert in complex aortic disease, has joined the hospital’s medical staff and has been appointed Medical Director of the Heart & Vascular Institute.
Dr. Baeza is a highly accomplished aortic surgeon with advanced expertise in both open and endovascular techniques, specializing in complex aortic root procedures including Bentall procedures, David valve-sparing repairs, and Ross operations, as well as coronary artery bypass surgery, minimally invasive valve procedures, thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair, and structural heart interventions.
Originally from Chile, Dr. Baeza earned his medical degree from the University of Chile and completed residencies in general surgery and cardiovascular surgery before pursuing advanced cardiothoracic surgery fellowship training at the Cleveland Clinic, one of the world’s leading cardiac programs. Most recently, he served as Co-Director of the Aortic Center at University Hospitals Harrington Heart and Vascular Institute in Cleveland, where he led surgical innovation and clinical excellence, including performing the first complete endovascular Bentall procedure at University Hospitals and in the state of Ohio.
