ATLANTA (May 22, 2019) – Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta has named Paul J. Chai, MD, the new Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery. In his new role, effective May 13, 2019, Dr. Chai leads the Cardiothoracic Surgery Program in the Children’s Heart Center and joins current Chief of the Children’s Cardiac Services, William Mahle, MD, as Co-Chief of the Children’s Heart Center.
Before joining Children’s, Dr. Chai served as Associate Professor of Surgery at Columbia University Medical Center and Director of Pediatric Cardiac Transplantation and Mechanical Assistance at New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital. His areas of clinical expertise include neonatal heart surgery, complex congenital heart defect repair, pediatric cardiac transplantation and pediatric mechanical support systems.
“We are honored and excited to welcome such an experienced and accomplished cardiothoracic surgeon to the Children’s Heart Center team,” Dr. Mahle said. “Dr. Chai brings a breadth and depth of expertise in pediatric cardiac surgery, and his recruitment is representative of our continued commitment to building the country’s leading pediatric cardiac program.”
Dr. Chai earned his medical degree at Duke University School of Medicine and completed his general surgery residency at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N. C. He completed his cardiothoracic surgery fellowship at Duke University Medical Center followed by his pediatric cardiac surgery fellowship at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, Mich.
"I am thrilled to join the cardiac team at Children’s," Dr. Chai said. "With an emphasis on research, innovative technologies and high-quality care, I look forward to building upon the accomplishments of this outstanding team. The Heart Center’s dedication to excellence will continue to set us apart as a premier pediatric cardiac destination."
The Children’s Heart Center diagnoses and treats patients with complex cardiac defects, serving patient families from across Georgia, the U.S. and around the world. Ranked as one of the country’s top pediatric cardiac programs by U.S. News & World Report, the Children’s Heart Center is recognized for innovative treatments and cutting‐edge research. In 2018, the Children’s cardiac team performed 723 cardiothoracic surgical operations, 644 interventional catheterizations, 243 electrophysiology procedures, 206 diagnostic procedures and 12 pediatric heart transplants.