Globally-Renowned Heart Surgeon Joins Medical Team In South Jersey

MARLTON, NJ — After giving more than 200 lectures on cardiovascular health worldwide, Dr. Ibrahim Sultan is making his way to South Jersey.

Virtua Health named Sultan their new Vice President of Clinical Operations for its cardiovascular service line.

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Along with academic and clinical roles at UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh, Sultan has authored more than 500 publications and lead more than 20 clinical trials in the field.

He also serves on the board of directors for the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and has held leadership roles within the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology.

"I've been fortunate to meet and learn from cardiovascular and thoracic teams in many parts of the world," Sultan told Patch. "People often approach the same difficult problem in very different ways, and I've brought many of those lessons back to my own practice."

As the chair of the Membership Committee for the AHA Council on Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia, Sultan brought together surgeons, anesthesiologists, scientists, nurses, and other professionals from across the country.

"It reinforced something we have all seen: meaningful progress rarely comes from one person or one specialty," Sultan said of his time there. "It comes from good teams working together and being willing to learn from one another."

Sultan's deepest area of knowledge is centered around complex cardiovascular disease with a focus on thoracic aortic disease, such as aortic aneurysms and dissections.

He also specializes in surgical and transcatheter methods addressing aortic and mitral valve repair and replacement.

In his new role, Sultan will work with clinicians and other leaders to strengthen patient care, grow clinical programs, and spread access for cardiovascular services to more across the region.

"His commitment to innovation, quality, and patient-centered care aligns perfectly with Virtua's mission," said Jennifer Khelil, Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer at Virtua. "We are thrilled to welcome him...and look forward to the impact he will have."

Sultan speaks three languages (Urdu, Hindi, and English) and has used that tool to hold "warmer and more meaningful" conversations with people who he can help feel at home in some of the most stressful times of their lives.

"I don't really think of it as a 'skill' so much as a privilege," he added, "...and a reminder that the art of medicine is ultimately about human connection and wellness."

Sultan earned a medical degree from Weill Cornell Medical College before finishing general surgery residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

He also completed cardiothoracic surgery training with advanced fellowship training and minimally invasive care surgery at the University of Pennsylvania.

To learn more about services provided, view a list of Dr. Sultan's office locations, or get information on how to make an appointment, visit the Virtua website.

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