Internationally Renowned Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. James Jaggers Joins Children's Hospital Colorado
Children's Hospital Colorado and the University of Colorado School of Medicine announced that internationally renowned cardiothoracic surgeon, James Jaggers, M.D., will be joining the two institutions in April 2010. He will serve as The Barton-Elliman Chair in Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery at Children's Hospital Colorado and professor in the division of cardiothoracic surgery in the department of surgery at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
Dr. Jaggers will specialize in repairing complex congenital heart defects in babies and newborns and serve as co-director of the Heart Institute at Children's Colorado. He is also among the first to receive a new certification in congenital cardiac surgery designated by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery.
Recruited from the Duke University School of Medicine, where he has been a faculty member in the department of surgery since 1996 and chief of pediatric cardiothoracic surgery since 2001, Dr. Jaggers is also a leading authority in neonatal heart surgery. Dr. Jaggers utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to determine the least invasive procedure to solve complex conditions, while ensuring the best possible outcomes. Read about the heart conditions we treat.
A native of Nebraska, Dr. Jaggers is a graduate of the University of Nebraska School of Medicine. Following a residency in surgery at the University of Oregon, he completed a residency in cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Colorado in 1996 before joining the faculty of the Duke University School of Medicine. He also completed a post-graduate fellowship at Children's Hospital Colorado in 1993 and 1996. For more information on Dr. Jaggers' education and academic background, download his CV (.pdf).
"Dr. Jaggers brings nearly two decades of pediatric cardiothoracic surgery experience to Children's Hospital Colorado, and as co-director of the Heart Institute he will further the reputation of our Heart Institute as one of the best places in the nation for pediatric cardiac care," said Dr. Jim Shmerling, president and CEO, Children's Hospital Colorado.
Children's Hospital Colorado Heart Institute is a collaboration of the hospital's departments of cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, pediatric anesthesia, cardiac nursing and cardiac research. The Institute cares for neonates, infants, children, adolescents and young adults with all forms of congenital and acquired heart disease. The Institute's heart transplant program has served as a model for other pediatric programs around the country, and the team successfully performed six heart transplants last month alone. For patients and families, Children's Hospital Colorado Heart Institute delivers multidisciplinary pediatric cardiac care with all services in one convenient location on the Anschutz Medical Campus.
"Not only will Dr. Jaggers' arrival continue our progress in delivering world class heart surgery for infants, children and adults with congenital heart disease, he also will bring outstanding research skills to the School of Medicine," said Frederick Grover, M.D., professor and chairman of the department of surgery. "Dr. Jaggers has published more than 100 scientific papers and book chapters, and he has lectured throughout the world. He is also a superb teacher who is highly respected by his medical students, residents and colleagues for his mentorship."
Children's Hospital Colorado offers one of only eight stand-alone pediatric research centers in the nation. A partnership with the University of Colorado School of Medicine ensures leading-edge research in pediatric cardiac care. By combining the resources of some of the world's most qualified and experienced specialists, every patient receives the most complete level of care. From diagnosis to the latest treatments to aftercare, Children's Hospital Colorado Heart Institute brings together the best minds, hands and hearts together, working as a team.
