Joseph Woo, MD, FACS, FACC, FAHA

Cardiovascular surgeon, Cardiothoracic surgeon, Lung transplant surgeon


Norman E. Shumway Professor, Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery and, by courtesy, of Bioengineering

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Biography


Dr. Woo is a nationally recognized surgeon, innovator, researcher, and educator in cardiothoracic surgery.

He chairs the Stanford Health Cardiothoracic Surgery Department. He is the Norman E. Shumway Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery and holds a courtesy appointment in the Department of Bioengineering.

Dr. Woo is a board-certified, fellowship-trained heart surgeon with an active clinical practice of more than 300 pump cases per year. He focuses on complex mitral and aortic valve repair, thoracic aortic surgery, cardiopulmonary transplantation, and minimally invasive surgery.

He has advanced these fields by developing innovative surgical procedures. He serves as principal investigator on two studies funded by National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants. One explores stem cells, angiogenesis, tissue engineering, and valvular biomechanics. Dr. Woo has received NIH funding for this study continuously since 2004.

He has served as primary investigator for clinical device trials. He also has been the primary investigator for translational scientific clinical trials entailing administration of stem cells during coronary artery bypass grafting and left ventricular arterial device (LVAD) implantation.

Dr. Woo has co-authored more than 400 articles in peer-reviewed publications.
Dr. Woo serves on the board of directors of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS). He is the president of the AATS Cardiac Surgery Biology Club. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, American College of Cardiology, and American Heart Association. He serves on the leadership committee of the American Heart Association’s Council on Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia.

He is a member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery, International Society for Heart & Lung Transplantation, International Society for Heart Research, and other professional societies.

Professional Summary


Education & Certifications
  • Board Certification: American Board of Thoracic Surgery, Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery (2002)
  • Internship: Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Dept of Anesthesia (1993) PA
  • Fellow, University of Pennsylvania, Cardiothoracic Surgery (2001)
  • Board Certification: American Board of Surgery, General Surgery (2000)
  • Resident, University of Pennsylvania, Cardiothoracic Surgery (2001)
  • Chief Resident, University of Pennsylvania, Surgery (1999)
  • Resident, University of Pennsylvania, Surgery (1998)
  • Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, University of Pennsylvania (1997)
  • MD, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (1992)
  • BS, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1988)

Honors & Awards
  • 10 Philadelphia Medical Researchers to Watch for 2005, Philadelphia Inquirer (2005)
  • 2018 Top Ten Clinical Research in USA Award, Clinical Research Forum (2018)
  • 21 Up and Coming Leaders of Philadelphia Award Winner, Philadelphia Magazine (2003)
  • 40 under Forty Award Winner, Philadelphia Business Journal (2003)
  • Alpha Omega Alpha, University of Pennsylvania (1991)
  • Class of 2012 Teaching Award, Penn Medicine (2009)
  • I. S. Ravdin Prize (Top student in surgery), Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania (1992)
  • Leonard J. Perloff Chief Resident Teaching Award (as determined by fellow residents), Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania (1999)
  • Luigi Mastroianni Clinical Innovator Award, University of Pennsylvania (2012)
  • Penn Pearls Teaching Award (Teaching excellence, as determined by medical students), University of Pennsylvania (1995)
  • Resident Prize First Place, Pennsylvania Association of Thoracic Surgery (1997)
  • Surgical Mentorship Teaching Award, Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania (2013)
  • Surgical Scholar Award (Scoring 99th percentile on American Board of Surgery In-Service Exam), Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania (1997)
  • Top Doctors, San Francisco Magazine (2015,2016,2017,2018)
  • Top Doctors of Philadelphia Region, Philadelphia Magazine (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)
  • Vivien Thomas Young Investigator Award Winner, American Heart Association (1997)
  • William Y. Inouye Teaching Award (Top resident teacher as determined by medical students), Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania (1997)

Memberships
  • Chair, Scientific Affairs and Government Relations Committee, American Association for Thoracic Surgery (2018 - Present)
  • Associate Editor, Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (2015 - Present)
  • Chair, Leadership Committee, Council on Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia, American Heart Association (2013 - Present)
  • Co-Director, American Association for Thoracic Surgery/NIH Grant Workshop (2013 - 2013)
  • Co-Chair, Research Scholarship Committee, American Association for Thoracic Surgery (2012 - 2014)
  • Member, Scientific Publishing Committee, American Heart Association (2012 - 2014)
  • Chair, Publications Committee, Society of University Surgeons (2012 - 2013)
  • Member, Society of Thoracic Surgeons Workforce for Research Development Taskforce on Grant Procurement (2011 - Present)
  • Vice-Chair, Leadership Committee, Council on Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia, American Heart Association (2011 - 2013)
  • Member, Publications Committee, Association for Academic Surgery (2011 - 2012)
  • Co-Director, American Association for Thoracic Surgery/NIH Grant Workshop (2011 - 2011)
  • Member, Society of Clinical Surgery (2010 - Present)
  • Member, Research Scholarship Committee, American Association for Thoracic Surgery (2010 - 2014)
  • Chair, Scientific Sessions Program Committee, Council on Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia, American Heart Association (2010 - 2012)
  • Liaison, Leadership Committee, Council on Functional Genomics and Translational Biology, American Heart Association (2010 - 2012)
  • Member, Cardiac Surgery Biology Club (2009 - Present)
  • Member, Program Committee, American College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Session (2009 - 2011)
  • Member, Scientific Affairs and Government Relations Committee, American Association for Thoracic Surgery (2007 - Present)
  • Member, American Association for Thoracic Surgery (2007 - Present)
  • Member, Research Committee, Thoracic Surgery Foundation for Research and Education (2007 - 2013)
  • Vice-Chair, Scientific Sessions Program Committee, Council on Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia, American Heart Association (2007 - 2009)
  • Fellowship, F.A.H.A. (2006 - Present)
  • Member, Scientific Sessions Program Committee, Council on Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia, American Heart Association (2006 - 2007)
  • Member, Asian Society for Cardiovascular Surgery (2005 - Present)
  • Member, Society of University Surgeons (2005 - Present)
  • Fellowship, F.A.C.C. (2004 - Present)
  • Fellowship, F.A.C.S. (2004 - Present)
  • Member, Leadership Committee, Council on Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia, American Heart Association (2004 - Present)
  • Member, College of Physicians of Philadelphia (2003 - Present)
  • Member, International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery (2002 - Present)
  • Member, American Heart Association, Council for Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery (2002 - Present)
  • Member, International Society for Heart & Lung Transplantation (2002 - Present)
  • Member, Society of Thoracic Surgeons (2002 - Present)
  • Member, Association for Academic Surgery (2002 - Present)
  • Member, International Society for Heart Research (2002 - Present)

Administrative Appointments
  • Associate Director, Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, CT Surgery (2014 - Present)
  • Attending Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital (2014 - Present)
  • Attending Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Stanford Hospital and Clinics (2014 - Present)
  • Chair, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine (2014 - Present)
  • Director, Stanford Healthcare Board (2019 - 2022)
  • Member, Executive Committee, Stanford University School of Medicine (2014 - Present)

Publications

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.

Open trials refer to studies currently accepting participants. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but may open in the future.


Practice Locations


Adult Congenital Heart Program Stanford, CA
Stanford, CA

300 Pasteur Drive, 3rd Floor, A32

Stanford , CA 94305

(650) 724-9220

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Heart Transplant Program Stanford, CA
Stanford, CA

300 Pasteur Drive , 2nd Floor, Room A21

Stanford , CA 94305

(650) 723-5468

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Adult Congenital Heart Program at Stanford Stanford, CA
Stanford, CA

300 Pasteur Drive, 3rd Floor, A32

Stanford , CA 94305

(650) 724-9220

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Lung Transplant Program in Palo Alto Stanford, CA
Stanford, CA

300 Pasteur Drive

Stanford , CA 94305

(650) 723-3633

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Valvular Heart Disease Clinic Stanford, CA
Stanford, CA

300 Pasteur Drive, 3rd Floor, Clinic A31

Stanford , CA 94305

(650) 723-6459

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Mechanical Circulatory Support Program Stanford, CA
Stanford, CA

300 Pasteur Drive , 2nd Floor, Room A260

Stanford , CA 94305

(650) 723-5468

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Aortic Disease Center Stanford, CA
Stanford, CA

300 Pasteur Drive, 3rd Floor, Clinic A31

Stanford , CA 94305

(650) 725-8246

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Heart Surgery Clinic at Boswell Building Stanford, CA
Stanford, CA

300 Pasteur Drive, 3rd Floor, Clinic A31

Stanford , CA 94305

(650) 724-7500

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Center for Marfan Syndrome and Related Aortic Disorders Stanford, CA
Stanford, CA

300 Pasteur Drive, 3rd Floor, Clinic A31

Stanford , CA 94305

(650) 725-8246

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Patient Ratings

(98 Ratings)

Overall Rating
4.8/5

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4.8/5
Friendliness
Friendliness/courtesy of the care provider
4.8/5
Explanations
Explanations the care provider gave you about your problem or condition
4.8/5
Listens
Concern the care provider showed for your questions or worries
4.8/5
Care provider's efforts to include you in decisions about your care
Care provider's efforts to include you in decisions about your treatment
4.8/5
Recommended to others
Likelihood of your recommending this care provider to others
0.0/5
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Wait time at clinic (from arriving to leaving)

How Our Ratings Work

The Patients Ratings and comments are gathered from our Patient Satisfaction Survey and displayed in their entirety.

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Patient Reviews

(49 reviews)

Whole team was on it and a very nice and efficient process.....eveybody was extremely knowledgeable and made me very comfortable with the next steps.
They treat you with respect and dignity and are very professional
Very impressed, I now feel very confident in the procedure to come.
While I have no doubt that Dr. Woo is incredibly capable at performing my surgery, I was displeased with his overall bedside manner. I understand that being a surgeon is a high-stress job, but I expected a more welcoming and empathetic approach from a healthcare professional. Unfortunately, both my mother and I felt that our questions and concerns were not given the attention they deserved. Having my mother with me during the appointment, it was especially important to me that she felt comfortable and well-informed about my medical situation. However, we left the appointment with a sense of dissatisfaction and unease due to Dr. Woo's interaction with us. I understand that Dr. Woo holds a significant position as the chief surgeon, and it may be challenging to provide feedback that leads to immediate action. Nonetheless, I hope that my feedback contributes to the ongoing efforts to improve patient care and satisfaction. It is my belief that even the most skilled surgeons can benefit from cultivating a more patient-friendly environment. Thank you for considering my input.
Very Professional
To make sure everything goes well
Very great care
Dr. Sharma answered all our questions, we can tell he was wholeheartedly vested in my dad’s health. We are grateful and reassured by the medical plan of care he has for my father.
Outstanding
amazing attention to detail-answered allqaiestikns thoughtfully and completely
I have never had such good care at any hospital. From the doctors to the nursing staff to the food everything was top-notch. I couldn't ask for a better experience.
I made it clear to the team that I was there for a consultation and not to make a decision about surgery that day. They said they understood. In my brief time with the doctor, however, he said "You need this operation. Any questions?" When I asked if anyone had decided not to have the surgery, he said that people who come here have already decided to have surgery. It was very stressful and not productive.
Everything went well. They are very busy. Jessica's supervise were excellent. Dr. Woo's comments were very convincing
Very thorough and actually listen to the patient.
exceptional1
Dr. Woo and his staff are extremely knowledgeable and professional. They explained everything and answered all my questions.
Very professional, thorough in explanations and caring.
an excellent surgeon, great communicator as well and caring
Hillary’s connection was good, but it was difficult to hear Dr. Currie.
Exceptionally competent staff
Staff is very caring and compassionate. Returns calls and texts promptly
Folks are on game, courteous, professional and really seem to know their stuff. That said, there were major mixups and disconnected circuits with respect to initial phases of handling and correctly forwarding diagnostics in the early stages and I had to make a lot of calls to a bunch of folks, including guest relations
Knowledgable, throughtful, thorough efficient care
Good consultation with Dr. Woo
The care at Stanford is consistently skilled, responsive and compassionate.
Only met with Dr Woo for a short period of time but I met with him and different members from his team for about an hour. They of course had a lot of questions for me, gave me a lot of information and allowed me to ask all the questions I had at the time. We ended the meeting my scheduling a surgery date right on the stop about 30 days in the future. I was impressed by that. I came away feeling that Dr Woo and his team with competent, confident and have an enormous amount of experience. I feel like I’m in very good hands.
Amanda was very helpful and understanding. Thank you!
It was actually better then very good, it was excellent!
What a great doctor! And what a great staff that he has!!
Dr.Woo and staff were excellent.
I would recommend Stanford Health to anyone, AWESOME experience from everyone
The fact that it was so far successful and they treated me so well I would recommend Stanford.
We have had nothing but great staff since our first visit, everyone is kind, helpful, it means a lot when you have that before a major surgery, even maintenance parson helped us when we first arrived and directed us on where to go
Very impressed w/doctor & all assistants.
Dr. Joseph Woo exceeded all expectations. Excellent and compassionate.
Twice I was supposed to see Dr. Joseph Woo, but saw a physician assistant instead. Grateful for his skills!
Dr. Joseph Woo and his team (especially Ashley) were WONDERFUL.
Dr. Woo was amazing. He was very informative and told me everything I needed to know about the procedure, as well as which was the best option. I greatly appreciate the concern he showed in terms of telling me how to go about surgery as I'm currently nursing. This was very important to me. I've had a few experiences (not pleasant) with doctors who didn't know how to go about treatment because of breastfeeding. Nursing savvy doctors are wonderful!
The experience exceeded our expectations and our expectations were very high.
Also thanks to Mary and Ashley for all the help. Very well trained staff.
Top notch in every sense. This provider experience was why I came to Stanford and I was very favorably impressed.
Excellent surgeon, I had wanted to understand my BP & dose of medication better & he indicated he wanted the cardiologist to manage that which is understandable.
Excellent yes.
Extreme confidence with this provider.
Excellent communications, care, and advice, drugs prescribed etc.
Great.
I feel I am in good hands.
Other than 1 comment in response to one of my questions "you don't need to worry about that, it's complicated" I have no complaints.
V. good experience.

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