St. Joseph’s Health Welcomes Renowned Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Bledi Zaku, MD ^Featured

St. Joseph’s Health is pleased to announce that Bledi Zaku, MD, a renowned Cardiothoracic Surgeon, has joined St. Joseph’s Heath, where he is assuming the role of Chief of the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery.

Dr. Zaku is a board certified Cardiothoracic Surgeon by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. He performs all aspects of adult cardiac surgery, including coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG).  His other specialties include mitral valve repair and replacement, minimally invasive transcatheter valve repair and replacement (MitralClip, TAVR), and complex reconstructive surgery of the aorta.  This includes valve-sparing aortic root reconstruction, allowing patients to preserve their own native valve while replacing the diseased aorta around it, and aortic arch surgery, for the treatment of large aneurysms.

At St. Joseph’s Health, Dr. Zaku will provide leadership and oversight of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery services and functions across the St. Joseph’s Health system, including St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson and St. Joseph’s Wayne Medical Center in Wayne.

“As we continue to expand our surgical services throughout northern New Jersey, we are excited to welcome Dr. Zaku to the St. Joseph’s Health team,” said Mark Connolly, MD, Chairman of the Department of Surgery. “Dr. Zaku is an innovative surgeon who brings an impressive combination of clinical expertise, outstanding patient care and pioneering research to this important leadership position.  His collaborative style and ambitious vision will be key as he leads our program and maintains its prominent position as one of the best in the region.”

Dr. Zaku received his doctorate in medicine at the University of Vermont College of Medicine in Burlington, Vermont and completed his general surgery residency at Morristown Medical Center. While in Medical School, he dedicated one year to clinical research in cardiac surgery outcomes at Mount Sinai Hospital. He completed his cardiothoracic surgery fellowship at New York Presbyterian - Weill Cornell Medical Center and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

“I’m delighted to be joining the St. Joseph’s team of experts in heart and vascular care,” said Dr. Zaku. “St. Joseph’s has a longstanding reputation for providing compassionate care while effectively treating heart disease, no matter how complex.  These are exciting times for cardiovascular and thoracic surgery as new techniques and innovative therapies will offer enhanced options and outcomes for patients.”

To make an appointment with Dr. Zaku, please call 973-754-2486