The human price of medical innovation. David A. D’Alessandro, MD is a Member of Faculty at Harvard Medical School. He is also the surgical director of Heart Transplantation and Ventricular Assist Devices in the Division of Cardiac Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Before joining, Dr. D’Alessandro was on the faculty of the Montefiore Medical Center in New York where he served as the surgical director of the Heart Transplantation Program. Under his leadership, the program experienced consistent growth and led the region in survival outcomes. In 2013 he was named the Erika and Jay Abramson Distinguished Surgeon in recognition of his scientific contributions to the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery.

Dr. D’Alessandro received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and completed his medical education at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. He completed his residency in general surgery, a fellowship in renal transplantation and clinical and research fellowships in cardiothoracic surgery at the Columbia University Medical Center in New York.

Dr. D’Alessandro has focused his clinical interests on surgical treatments of end stage heart failure including mechanical assistance and heart transplantation. He has broad experience with all aspects of adult cardiothoracic surgery including on and off pump coronary artery bypass surgery, valve repair and replacement, and the treatment thoracic aneurysms. Additionally, he has extensive experience with acute and chronic mechanical circulatory support devices including the latest generation of mechanical assist devices. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx