Ourania Preventza, MD, MBA, FACS
The Department of Surgery is pleased to announce the appointment of Ourania Preventza, MD, MBA, FACS, as the next chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery and co-director of the Heart and Vascular Service Line at UVA Health. She is currently a professor with tenure at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Preventza was selected after a very competitive national search. Feedback during the selection process emphasized her extensive experience in cardiac and aortic surgery, focus on collaboration across disciplines for building programs, and an uncompromising commitment to education and mentorship of others.
Dr. Preventza received her medical degree from the Medical School of Athens, completed her General Surgery Residency at Ascension Providence Hospital, vascular fellow in training at Arizona Heart Hospital and Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She also completed a Surgical Critical Care Fellowship at Mayo Clinic and earned an MBA from Brandeis University focused on health care policy.
Dr. Preventza is internationally known for her work in complex cardiac and aortic surgery, especially endovascular aortic techniques. She is currently President of the International Society of Endovascular Specialists and is a leader in several professional organizations including the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, Women in Thoracic Surgery, Society of Thoracic Surgery and the Southern Thoracic Surgery Association. Dr. Preventza has contributed to more than 200 articles in peer-reviewed journals and serves on the Editorial Board of multiple cardiovascular journals including Associate Editor of Annals of Thoracic Surgery and Journal of Cardiac Surgery. Due to her commitment to excellence in mentorship and resident education, she recently was awarded the prestigious 2023 Socrates Award by the Thoracic Surgery Residents Association.
Dr. Preventza will be assuming the chief role on June 19, 2023. Please welcome her to the UVA family, the Department of Surgery and the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery.
Filed Under: Faculty