We are a group of three cardiovascular and thoracic surgeons all double board-certified (in general and thoracic surgery). We were founded as an independent entity in June of 2003, though we had been working together as a group for four years as part of a larger, combined cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery multi-specialty group.
We have been and continue to be pioneers and innovators in such revolutionary techniques as Off-Pump Coronary Bypass Grafting (OPCABG), Minimally-Invasive Valve Surgery, and Minimally invasive Arrhythmia Surgery (Modified Maze Procedure). We were the first group on the west coast to offer minimally invasive (endoscopic) radial artery harvesting for CABG procedures. We continue to advance the frontiers of cardiothoracic surgery while optimizing the impact of these procedures on our patients to improve outcomes, and more quickly return patients to their full, functioning lives.
Our philosophy of integrating all of our team members in patient care allows us to maintain our high standards and deliver optimal care, and ensures that patients receive the best care possible.
The Advanced Cardiothoracic Surgery Team:
Eli R. Capouya, MD, FACS
Graduated from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa in 1981 and received his MD from the University of Alabama School of Medicine at Birmingham in 1985.
Dr. Capouya trained as a resident in general surgery at New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center. He went to UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles as chief resident and research fellow in cardiothoracic surgery for the department of Surgery. While at UCLA, Dr. Capouya gained considerable experience in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery to include cardiac transplant surgery as well as infant and pediatric surgery.
Dr. Capouya is certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. His publications include articles in several of the leading cardiac journals. He is a member of the International Society of Heart/Lung Transplantation, Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and the Western Thoracic Surgical Society.
Ali Gheissari, MD, FACS
Graduated from the Columbia University in 1979. He received his MD in 1983 from the University of Michigan Medical School; a five-year general surgery residency at Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia, and a two-year cardiothoracic surgery residency at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York. Upon completion of formal training, Dr. Gheissari returned to Hahnemann University Hospital as assistant professor and director of their transplant program.
Dr. Gheissari is board certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. He is a member of the American Medical Association, the International Society of Heart/Lung Transplantation, The Society of Thoracic Surgery, and the Western Thoracic Surgical Society.
Robert J Gottner, MD, FACS
Graduated from Stanford University with a double major in Electrical Engineering and Biology in 1984. He received his MD in 1988 from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He completed a seven-year residency in general surgery at Northwestern University Medical Center in Chicago including two years of cardiovascular research. He trained in thoracic surgery at Yale-New Haven Medical Center completing training there in 1997. He stayed on staff there for one year before coming back home to California.
Dr. Gottner is board certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, The American College of Chest Physicians, and is a member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons.
Dominick D'antuono PA-C
Hector Gonzalez PA-C
Karen Barragan, Office Manager
Karen entered into the cardiothoracic surgery field in 1989. She pursued her education by receiving her medical assistant diploma in 1997. In 2003 Karen attended American Intercontinental University where she graduated with her Bachelors of Business Administration (BBA) in Business Administration focusing in Healthcare Management in 2005. In 2006 she graduated with her Master’s of Business Administration, focusing in Healthcare Management.
Advanced Cardiothoracic Surgery Medical
Group, Inc.
2200 W. Third Street, Suite 370
Los Angeles, CA 90057
Phone 213.483.1055 FAX 213.483.1418