Mercy Medical Center is pleased to announce the addition of cardiothoracic surgeon Velu Balasubramanian, MD, to Mercy’s Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery Services.
The addition of Dr. Balasubramanian marks the next step in the ongoing progression and growth of Mercy’s cardiac and thoracic surgery program. He joins CC Lee, MD, FACS, as the program’s second open heart surgeon.
Earlier this year, Mercy announced plans to build Linn County’s largest and most comprehensive facility dedicated to heart and vascular care to accommodate growth and meet ongoing demand for heart-related services. Later this month, the hospital will break ground on The Heart Center at Mercy – an integrated and patient-centered, state-of-the-art, 72,000-square-foot facility on the Mercy campus.
“We are thrilled to welcome a new open-heart surgeon with Dr. Balasubramanian’s expertise in cardiac care,” said Dr. Timothy Quinn, Mercy’s executive vice president and chief clinical officer. “As a local leader in cardiac care, Dr. Balasubramanian will help Mercy continue to evolve its program and improve access to this important, lifesaving care for our community.”
“It’s rewarding to be taking yet another next step forward for Mercy’s heart program by adding Dr. Balasubramanian to our cardiac team,” said Tim Charles, Mercy’s president and CEO. “As we look forward to opening Mercy’s new Heart Center in 2023, the addition of another cardiothoracic surgeon will support that effort and result in better access to cardiac surgical care for patients, enhancing our full continuum of heart care at Mercy.”
Dr. Balasubramanian received his medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine and completed his integrated residency at the University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics, where he completed a six-year training in cardiothoracic surgery. Prior to pursuing his medical career, he worked as an engineer designing microprocessors for Intel.
His specific interests include coronary artery disease and revascularization; transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR); minimally invasive and open-heart valve procedures; minimally invasive and robotic thoracic surgery for lung cancer; and general thoracic surgery.
“I look forward to building relationships and working with the exceptional cardiology, pulmonology and multi-disciplinary thoracic oncology teams at Mercy,” said Dr. Balasubramanian. “I’m dedicated to quality patient care and effective communication with my patients. Supporting patients through complex cardiothoracic procedures and being part of their positive outcomes is the greatest reward for a surgeon.”
Dr. Balasubramanian, who prefers to be known as Dr. B, is now seeing patients at Mercy’s Cardiothoracic & Vascular Clinic in Mercy’s 8th & 8th Medical Park building.
