David Kaczorowski, MD, Appointed Chief of Adult Cardiac Surgery at UPMC
April 2, 2026
The UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute is proud to announce that David Kaczorowski, MD, has been named chief of adult cardiac surgery at UPMC. In his new role, Dr. Kaczorowski will further the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute’s mission to enhance patient care and provide high quality, innovative treatments to patients with cardiovascular disease.
Dr. Kaczorowski received his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He completed an internship and residency in general surgery at the University of Pittsburgh, followed by fellowships in cardiothoracic surgery, advanced heart failure, and advanced adult cardiac surgery at the University of Pennsylvania. Following his training, Dr. Kaczorowski entered private practice in Pennsylvania before joining the faculty at the University of Maryland in 2017, where he served as director of Cardiac Transplantation and Mechanical Circulatory Support.
In 2020, Dr. Kaczorowski joined UPMC as surgical director of the UPMC Heart Transplant Program. He is recognized as a national clinical and academic leader in single and combined organ cardiothoracic transplant, mechanical circulatory support, and ventricular assist devices.
Under Dr. Kaczorowski’s leadership, the UPMC Heart Transplant Program has achieved innovative clinical milestones that have established UPMC as a top heart transplant center internationally.
- In 2022, UPMC performed the first donation after circulatory death (DCD) heart transplant in Pennsylvania.
- In 2023, UPMC was the highest volume heart transplant center in Pennsylvania.
- UPMC performed the first robotic HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device insertion.
- In 2025, UPMC performed the world’s first bloodless heart-kidney transplant.
- UPMC continually achieves top patient outcomes as reported by the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR). In the latest report, UPMC is tied for the best 90-day survival rate following adult heart transplants in the nation and consistently leads the state in this category.
Dr. Kaczorowski’s leadership at the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute will elevate the team’s adult cardiac surgery services and continue to provide patients with a unified, comprehensive heart care model. From diagnosis and disease management through the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, to expert transplant care at the UPMC Heart Transplant Program, to innovative research and education, our team provides the full scope of care to patients with cardiovascular disease.
About the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute
As the largest integrated adult and pediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery program in Pennsylvania, the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute is a premier destination for adult cardiac surgery, interventional cardiology, pediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery, treatment and management of adult congenital heart disease, vascular surgery, and more.
With more than 60 locations in three states, the expertise of the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute is available to you and your patients. We are committed to partnering with you on consultations, second opinions, and diagnosis and treatment for the continuum of cardiovascular conditions.
To learn more about the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, or to refer a patient, email HVIReferral@upmc.edu.
