Cardiothoracic Surgery Director Shares Vision For Program
Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) is expanding its cardiothoracic surgical program under the leadership of Alfredo R. Ramirez, MD, a highly experienced cardiothoracic surgeon who joined TMH in 2024.
“We’re a multifaceted group of surgeons capable of managing complex cardiovascular diseases that require surgical care, and we have a proven record,” said Dr. Ramirez, who came to TMH Physician Partners from the Billings Clinic in Montana. Previously, he served as the Specialty Leader of Cardiothoracic Surgery for the U.S. Navy in San Diego.
“We are using the most advanced surgical modalities, which allow us to handle these complex cases,” he added.
The multidisciplinary approach of the program ensures that patients benefit from an entire team of experts, setting a new standard for cardiothoracic care in the area.
Currently, Dr. Ramirez and his team perform coronary artery bypass graft surgery, offering both traditional open and minimally invasive procedures for patients with coronary artery disease.
TMH is the only center in the area that provides transcatheter aortic valve replacement and aortic valve repair/replacement. The team also performs minimally invasive tricuspid valve repair or replacement, as well as combined coronary bypass and valve replacement using open and minimally invasive techniques. In addition, they offer interventions such as ablation procedures for arrhythmias and aneurysm repair.
The program is expanding its capabilities with expertise in transcatheter mitral valve repair/replacement and advanced surgical reconstructive techniques. The team routinely performs minimally invasive valve repairs or replacements and has recently introduced robotic procedures, supported by the addition of a surgeon with robotic expertise.
“Robotic surgery and other minimally invasive approaches yield improved outcomes, lower risk for adverse events and shorter recovery times,” Dr. Ramirez explained. “They also make heart surgery more viable for people with complex cardiovascular conditions for whom traditional open surgery poses a higher risk. Many of these patients have postponed surgery, increasing their risk of heart failure due to fears they won’t survive an intervention.”
The TMH cardiothoracic program has already achieved two- and three-star ratings from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons for multiple valve repair/replacement procedures.
“There is an abundance of patients with cardiovascular disease in this region who require surgical care,” Dr. Ramirez noted. “We are the largest referral center for the Big Bend area. There’s very little we need to refer out because we can handle it here.”
Dr. Ramirez and his colleagues are also focused on strengthening TMH’s thoracic oncology program. Currently, they perform a range of surgical procedures to treat lung cancer and aim to expand their offerings by collaborating with oncology and pulmonology colleagues.
“We plan to make this one of the strongest thoracic oncology programs in the country,” Dr. Ramirez said. “TMH and its leadership share my vision for the program and have been incredibly supportive, as have my colleagues. We already have an outstanding program, and it’s only going to get better.”
Research and Clinical Trials
Our heart and vascular team has been conducting research at TMH for more than 20 years, participating in over 150 trials.
Information on these studies can be found on our clinical trials page. To refer or inquire about our heart and vascular trials, contact our partners at the Tallahassee Research Institute, Inc. at 850-431-5024.
Our Locations
Heart Care +2 more
TMH Physician Partners - Cardiothoracic Surgery
1405 Centerville Road Suite 5000, Dogwood Building - Tallahassee, FL 32308
Heart Care +1 more
TMH Physician Partners, Services by Southern Medical Group – Cardiology
1002 N. Arnold Road Suite 301 - Panama City Beach, FL 32413
