UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute Welcomes New Faculty

The UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute is pleased to welcome its four newest faculty members.

Derek R. Serna-Gallegos, MD
Assistant Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Dr. Serna-Gallegos joined the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery and the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute after completing his cardiothoracic surgical residency at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2020. Dr. Serna-Gallegos earned his medical degree from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. He then completed his internship and surgical residence at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he was administrative chief resident. Dr. Serna-Gallegos specializes in surgery of the thoracic aorta, aortic root surgery, and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), along with aortic and mitral valve repairs and endovascular aortic surgery.

Zachary J. Rhinehart, MD
Assistant Professor of Cardiology
Cardiologist Zachary J. Rhinehart, MD, joined the Division of Cardiology in 2020. Dr. Rhinehart earned his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2013, where he subsequently completed both his residency and fellowship training. Dr. Rhinehart is board certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular disease from the American Board of Internal Medicine, as well as in echocardiography from the National Board of Echocardiography.

Karim Salem, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery
Dr. Salem is a vascular surgeon in the Department of Surgery and UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute. He earned his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, followed by his vascular surgical residency and a postdoctoral research fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Matthew Terbush, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery
Dr. Terbush is a vascular surgeon in the Department of Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He practices within the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute at UPMC Hamot in Erie, Pennsylvania. Dr. Terbush earned his medical degree from SUNY Upstate Medical University, followed by residency at the University of Rochester Medical Center, which he completed in 2020 before joining UPMC.