February 4 – HCA East Florida Division is excited to announce Allan Stewart, M.D., F.A.C.S, F.A.C.C. has recently been appointed to a leadership position over the cardiovascular surgery programs at Aventura Hospital and Medical Center, Kendall Regional Medical Center and Mercy Hospital. As Medical Director, Dr. Stewart will lend his technical expertise in the field of minimally invasive mitral valve repair and complex aortic surgery to enhance the extensive services currently offered at the three hospitals. 
Dr. Stewart specializes in complex valve sparing aortic root procedures, which allow patients to live without anticoagulation medication, like warfarin. During his time leading the aortic surgery programs at Columbia University School of Medicine and Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City, he built relationships with medical institutions worldwide. Over the course of his career:
•Dr. Stewart and his team performed the second transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in the United States in 2005.
•He has since performed over 1,000 TAVR procedures, an effective alternative to open heart surgery.
•Dr. Stewart has performed over 5,000 open heart surgeries; 1,000 have used minimally invasive technique.
•Dr. Stewart has treated international patients, both in the United States and abroad in over twenty countries on six continents.
“Throughout my career, I have had the pleasure of using medical innovation to provide a higher level of cardiac care to patients who need it,” explained Dr. Stewart. “Joining HCA East Florida gives me the unique opportunity to bring tailor made solutions to patients in three distinct areas of Miami-Dade County. I look forward to working collaboratively with experts across the field of cardiology and cardiovascular surgery to support this diverse and growing region.”
The cardiac programs at Aventura Hospital and Medical Center, Kendall Regional Medical Center and Mercy Hospital offer comprehensive non-invasive, interventional and surgical cardiovascular and vascular procedures. Current capabilities include advanced cardiac catheterizations, treatment of heart rhythm disorders such as atrial fibrillation, transcatheter valve repair and replacement, minimally invasive valve repair, as well as complex re-operative surgeries.
“Dr. Stewart will expand our structural heart program across Miami-Dade County, to include TAVR and minimally invasive mitral valve surgery,” said Charles Gressle, President of HCA East Florida Division. “Access to high-quality cardiovascular care is one of our greatest priorities. We look forward to growing these programs locally and connecting with healthcare partners from abroad to become their healthcare provider of choice.”
A New Jersey native, Dr. Stewart completed medical school at Rutgers University School of Medicine in Newark, New Jersey. He went on to complete his internship and residency in general surgery at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Stewart completed a research fellowship in human gene therapy at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine prior to completing his cardiac surgical training at Columbia University Medical Center, where he remained on faculty for nine years. Dr. Stewart has a passion for health and wellness, and consistently enters endurance events with his patients after they have had surgery.
To learn more about the program or to schedule an appointment, visit SouthFloridaHearts.com or call 786-428-1059.
HCA East Florida, which consists of Aventura Hospital and Medical Center, Kendall Regional Medical Center and Mercy Hospital in Miami-Dade County, is the largest healthcare system in Eastern Florida and an affiliate of HCA Healthcare. HCA East Florida has 14 hospitals, multiple ambulatory surgery centers, physician practices, urgent care and free standing emergency care facilities, as well as a supply chain center and an integrated regional lab. Together, HCA East Florida employs more than 18,800 employees and has more than 6,900 physicians on staff. For more information, visit HCAEastFlorida.com.
