Program Mentors
Valluvan Jeevanandam, MD
Cynthia Chow Professor of Surgery; Chief of Cardiac Surgery; Director of Heart and Vascular Center
Valluvan Jeevanandam, MD, specializes in the surgical management of heart failure, and is an expert in high-risk cardiac surgery. He has performed more than 1,000 heart transplants — including the total artificial heart — and countless cardiac surgery procedures, including transmyocardial laser revascularization, complex valve reconstruction, and minimally invasive coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Dr. Jeevanandam was one of the physicians leaders of the transplant care team that made history in December 2018 after performing two triple-organ transplants within 27 hours, replacing the failing hearts, livers and kidneys of 29-year-olds Sarah McPharlin and Daru Smith.
Bryan Smith, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Bryan Smith, MD, is a board-certified cardiologist who treats patients with complex cardiovascular disease, and specializes in the medical management of advanced heart failure and heart transplant.
Aaron Manewith
Sr.Administrative Specialist, Section of Cardiac Surgery & HVC Mentorship Program Manager
Aaron Manewtih is the Cardiac Surgery Administrative Specialist and the Executive Assistant to the Chief of Cardiac Surgery. He also serves as the HVC Mentorship Program Manager and oversees all program activities, workshops, and student involvement in the program.
Daniel Rodgers
Clinical Research Coordinator II
Daniel Rodgers is an expert in clinical research and serves as a Clinical Research Coordinator II and Hibino Lab Manager. Additionally, he is a lead Ambassadorship student mentor and facilitates student involvement in various research projects.