Centers of Excellence

Heart & Vascular Center

Heart & Vascular Center Team

About Our Team

The internationally recognized Heart & Vascular Center team at Brigham and Women’s Hospital includes approximately 200 physicians, specialists in cardiovascular medicine, cardiac surgery, vascular surgery, vascular medicine, cardiovascular anesthesiology and cardiovascular imaging. These specialists work with a team of nearly 500 professionals, made up of physician assistants, nurses, therapists, dietitians, rehabilitation services specialists, social workers and other specialists. This vast resource of multidisciplinary expertise ensures that we can take care of every patient’s heart and vascular needs.

Our team never rests in their goal to make outstanding care even better. Through pioneering research, they continue to develop advances that transform heart and vascular medicine and patient care.

Nationally Acclaimed Cardiac Specialists

Recognized for top heart and vascular care by U.S. News and World Report, our cardiac specialists are leaders in their field. Our team of cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, cardiac nurses, cardiac anesthesiologists and other specialists is committed to providing individualized, compassionate care plans and treatment for both common and complex heart conditions. As one of the leading heart and vascular centers in the U.S., our team works with each patient to choose the right treatment approach for their needs.

Cardiac Physicians and Faculty

Featured Leadership

John Francis Keaney, Jr., MD

John Francis Keaney, Jr., MD Dr. John Keaney is chief of the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine in the Department of Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital and co-executive director of the Heart & Vascular Center.

Dr. Keaney received his medical degree from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in both Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Dr. Keaney is board-certified in both internal medicine and cardiovascular medicine. Before returning to Brigham and Women's Hospital, Dr. Keaney was chief of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Dr. Keaney's clinical interests are in the treatment of acute coronary syndromes and valvular heart disease.

Dr. Keaney has authored over 230 publications is a recognized expert in the biology of blood vessels and is currently Associate Editor for the New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Keaney is a frequent consultant to the National Institutes of Health in matters related to vascular health.

He was a permanent member (2014-2019) of the Bioengineering, Technology, and Surgical Sciences (BTSS) Study Section for the Center for Scientific Review at the National Institutes of Health, and he currently serves on the editorial board of Circulation.

See Dr. Keaney's full profile

Mark J. Cunningham, MD

Mark Cunningham, MD

Dr. Mark J. Cunningham is the Interim Chief of Cardiac Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Transplanting more than 500 hearts, he became the surgical director of mechanical circulatory support and heart transplantation. Mentoring with more than 50 residents who are now division chiefs, congenital surgeons, academic surgeons and academic affiliate surgeons, Dr. Cunningham received the USC Faculty Excellence Awards and developed industry sponsored professional peer to peer educational programs in robotic surgery, minimally invasive surgery, percutaneous techniques and aortic surgery.

His culture of innovation comes from his undergraduate degree in aerospace engineering and work in designing future space transportation systems at NASA. Dr. Cunningham graduated medical school at Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami, trained in general surgery at Boston University and cardiac surgery at the University of Southern California (USC). His goal is to provide care to patients in developing systematic approaches to extend care to these patients by focusing on innovation, clinical trials, resident and peer education, quality outcomes and hospital systems.

See Dr. Cunningham's full profile

Programs and Teams

Physician Assistants and Nurses

Our physician assistants (PAs) are highly trained clinicians who work closely with physicians to help manage patients. This includes sharing many responsibilities with our physicians, including physical examinations, ordering and interpreting laboratory and diagnostic tests, prescribing medications and developing treatment plans, device implants and catheterizations, and patient education.

Our nurses are likewise instrumental in our mission to deliver outstanding care to our patients. They continue to work to improve nursing practices, which, in turn, benefits our patients and their families. This includes the development of special programs that promote safe, efficient and satisfying care.

Exemplifying this commitment to excellence, the Heart & Vascular Center nursing staff has twice been honored with the Beacon Award—at the Gold and Silver levels—from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. The Beacon Award recognizes extraordinary commitment to high-quality critical care standards, dedication to exceptional care of patients and families, and striving to improve every facet of patient care.

Allied Health Professionals and Patient Satisfaction Team

It takes more than experienced and skillful physicians, physician assistants and nurses to deliver outstanding care. Every member of our team is important to our mission, including team members who work to promote patient satisfaction: the housekeeping staff who work throughout the day and night to keep our patients’ rooms tidy and comfortable, the dietary staff who create healthy and delicious meals and our volunteers who provide welcome support to our patients.

Learn more about Brigham and Women's Hospital


For over a century, a leader in patient care, medical education and research, with expertise in virtually every specialty of medicine and surgery.

About BWH