Scientific Advisory

Dr. Marath is a British-born and trained surgeon specializing in diseases of the heart and lungs in children and adults. His UK training included a full scientific study in children’s heart surgery, leading to the “Master of Surgery” award, (the University of London, UK) and clinical experience at Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, Guy’s hospital in London.

He is a faculty staff member of the Cardiovascular division of Oregon’s Health Sciences University in Portland, Oregon. In 1987, he founded CardioStart International, and collaborating with the other trustees, oversees the charity operations. He has led most of the international heart surgery missions to 19 countries in over 46 visits performing free pediatric and adult cardiac surgery together with colleagues.

Prof. Dr. med. Jörg Heckenkamp is a highly accomplished vascular surgeon and academic figure in the field of medicine. He completed his medical studies at the universities of Mainz, Würzburg, and the University of Missouri, Columbia, USA, culminating in a doctorate focusing on glycogen metabolism during endotoxemia. He obtained his habilitation on radical-based therapeutic strategies for inhibiting vascular restenosis at the Surgical Clinic of the University of Cologne. Throughout his career, he served in various roles, including as an assistant doctor and senior physician at the University Hospital Cologne, a fellow at Harvard Medical School, and currently as Chief Physician at the Clinic for Vascular Surgery, Niels Stensen Clinics, Marienhospital Osnabrück.

Prof. Heckenkamp is also recognized for his extensive contributions to academia, serving as a professor, examiner, and lecturer at national and international conferences. He holds numerous appointments, including as Medical Director of the Competence Center for Vascular Surgery and Director of the Osnabrück Center for Vascular Medicine. Additionally, he has been actively involved in professional societies, serving in leadership roles such as Vice President of the German Society for Vascular Surgery and Vascular Medicine (DGG) and German Councilor of the European Union of Medical Surgery. Prof. Heckenkamp’s dedication to vascular surgery and education has left a significant mark on the field, making him a respected figure both nationally and internationally.

Dr. Nina is a Brazilian-born and trained surgeon specializing in diseases of the heart in children and adults. He did his general surgical and cardiovascular surgical training in São Paulo, Brazil followed by postgraduate fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at the UAB, Birmingham, USA and the Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Australia. In 2000 he moved back São Luis, state of Maranhao, Brazil to create and head a cardiovascular surgery unit at the University Hospital.

In 2014, he set up a dedicated pediatric cardiac surgery unit at the University Hospital and recently led a mission to Macapá, Amazon Region of Brazil, to start the pediatric cardiac surgery program in that remote area of the globe. His trajectory entitled him to be elected President of the North-Northeast Society of Cardiovascular of Brazil and Member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, USA.

Dr. Hibino is a highly respected surgeon with extensive experience in pediatric cardiac surgery and performs a wide range of complex procedures for patients with congenital heart disease. Dr. Hibino’s philosophy of patient care is guided by evidence-based research and the belief that putting the patient first and providing an individualized care plan provides the best possible outcome.

He has published more than 140 peer-reviewed research articles in high-impact journals and has been invited to speak at numerous national and international conferences, highlighting his cardiac surgery expertise and innovation.

Dr. Stojan is a renowned cardiothoracic surgeon from Bulgaria, where he also specializes in congenital surgery. The National Heart Hospital has been the home to his numerous surgeries for over 10 years. Dr. Stojan has been a strong advocate for new technologies in his field as the focus on pediatric advances are very often overlooked.

He continues to actively publish exciting case reports and presents his works at conferences throughout the world.

Dr. Vishal Bhende is a Congenital and Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon at Bhanubhai and Madhuben Patel Cardiac Center in India. With an extensive background and over 20 years of experience in general and cardiothoracic surgery, he is one of the most accomplished and trusted physicians in the region.

He has used the Invengenx Bovine Pericardial Tissue Patch in various congenital conditions, such as Tetralogy of Fallot and Ventricular Septal Defects. Dr. Vishal continues to be a proponent of next generation technology to ensure that all of his patients receive the best outcomes.

Dr. Said specializes in the repair of congenital heart defects in children, including complex abnormalities such as hypoplastic left heart syndrome and other univentricular heart conditions, Ebstein’s anomaly, unifocalization procedures, adult congenital heart diseases and complex cardiac repairs. He is at the forefront nationally of employing a minimally invasive approach to heart surgery, avoiding mid-sternal injury, whenever possible.

Dr. Said is board certified in general surgery, thoracic surgery and congenital cardiac surgery. He also is a member of many prominent national and international cardiac and thoracic surgical societies including the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the Congenital Heart Surgeons’ Society, Western Thoracic Surgical Association, Southern Thoracic Surgical Association, the International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery, and the European Association for Cardiothoracic Surgery. Dr. Said is also a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American College of Cardiology.

Dr. Mohammed is a pediatric and adult cardiothoracic surgeon currently practicing at the Prince Sultan Cardiac Center in Saudi Arabia. He specializes in heart and lung transplants, while continuing to expand the research in this field to constantly improve these types of operations.

His passion for mission work has greatly pushed the need for innovative and effective technologies, as he undergoes monthly charitable missions monthly with various organizations in various countries throughout the world.

Dr. Emily A. Farkas is a Cardiothoracic Surgeon and one of only 3% of female cardiac surgeons, also holding the distinction of being the first woman accepted to train in the specialty at Yale University. During her time there, she was honored with a Mayoral Proclamation designating August 3rd “Dr. Emily Farkas Day” in the city St. Louis due to her extensive community and international volunteer work. She spends the balance of her time as a Cardiac Surgeon on staff at the ThedaCare Heart Institute in Wisconsin.

Dr. Farkas has been committed to the vision of the charity for nearly 10 years. Bringing experience from leadership committees and workforces for the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and Women in Thoracic Surgery, she serves on the Board of Directors for many other non-profit organizations.