Stanford Medicine Children’s Health Announces New Division Chief of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery

Dr. Michael Ma promoted to chief, bringing exceptional education, skills, and experience to Heart Center

Jan. 1, 2024

Michael Ma
Michael Ma, MD

PALO ALTO, Calif.—Michael Ma, MD, assistant professor of cardiothoracic surgery in the Division of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery at Stanford University, has been appointed chief of the Division of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery of the Betty Irene Moore Children’s Heart Center at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford. He will build upon the 20-plus-years storied legacy of Frank Hanley, MD, cardiothoracic surgeon and executive director of the Moore Children’s Heart Center. Dr. Hanley will continue his leadership role at the Heart Center and will keep caring for pediatric heart patients.

Dr. Ma is widely recognized as an outstanding clinician and educator. His practice encompasses all aspects of congenital heart disease, with an emphasis on neonates, complex biventricular repair, pulmonary artery reconstruction, and heart failure. He is also known for his impactful research on the biomechanical engineering principles to optimize existing and develop de novo surgical and endovascular therapies in the treatment of complex heart defects. His aim is to optimize existing techniques through technology and research, and to translate those quickly to the operating room.

Dr. Ma also serves as the surgical director of the Pediatric Advanced Cardiac Therapies (PACT) (combined heart failure/heart transplant program), the Biventricular Reconstruction Program, and as a cardiothoracic surgeon for the Pulmonary Artery Reconstruction (PAR) Program at Stanford Children’s. He is known for taking on highly complex cases, even those that have been turned down by other children’s heart centers across the nation, and safely pushes the boundaries of care to give every child their best chance at living a full life. Stanford Medicine leaders hail Dr. Ma for his talent and his commitment to continue the culture of clinical excellence, push frontiers of research, and build streamlined methods to meet those objectives.

Dr. Ma obtained his undergraduate degree in chemical engineering from Stanford University and then earned his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York. He completed his residency and fellowship at the Stanford University Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery and joined the Stanford Medicine faculty in 2017.

Media Contact
Elizabeth Valente
EValente@stanfordchildrens.org
(650) 269-5401

 

About Stanford Medicine Children's Health

Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, with Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford at its center, is the Bay Area’s largest health care system exclusively dedicated to children and expectant mothers. Our network of care includes more than 65 locations across Northern California and more than 85 locations in the U.S. Western region. Along with Stanford Health Care and the Stanford School of Medicine, we are part of Stanford Medicine, an ecosystem harnessing the potential of biomedicine through collaborative research, education, and clinical care to improve health outcomes around the world. We are a nonprofit organization committed to supporting the community through meaningful outreach programs and services and providing necessary medical care to families, regardless of their ability to pay. Discover more at stanfordchildrens.org.