Baiya Krishnadasan, MD
Medical Director for Thoracic Surgery
Dr. Krishnadasan is board certified in general and cardiothoracic surgery. A graduate of Haverford College, he received his medical degree from the University of California. Dr. Krishnadasan completed his General Surgery and Cardiothoracic Surgery residencies as well as a Post-Doctoral research fellowship at the University of Washington. Prior to joining St. Joseph Cardiothoracic Surgeons, Dr. Krishnadasan was an Assistant Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of Washington and the Section Chief of Thoracic Surgery at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Dr. Krishnadasan is interested in all aspects of non-cardiac thoracic surgery, including benign and malignant lung disease, pleural disease, esophageal disease and mediastinal disease. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a diplomat of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery and a member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Dr. Krishnadasan has a particular interest in minimally invasive approaches to chest diseases, including video-assisted thoracic (VATS) lobectomy and robotic-assisted thoracic surgery.

Dr. Krishnadasan is an avid outdoorsman he enjoys running, snowboarding, water skiing and cycling in his leisure. He also enjoys traveling and spending time with his wife and three children.

BOARD CERTIFICATION
American Board of Surgery 2004
American Board of Thoracic Surgery 2006

EDUCATION
Haverford College, B.A., History of Art, 1988 – 1992
Haverford, Pennsylvania

University of California, Davis, M.D., 1992 – 1996
Davis, California

ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
Intern, General Surgery
University of Washington, 1996-1997
Seattle, Washington

Resident, General Surgery
University of Washington, 1997-1999
Seattle, Washington

Post-Doctoral Fellow, Cardiothoracic Surgery
University of Washington, 1999- 2001
Seattle, Washington

Senior Resident, General Surgery
University of Washington, 2001- 2002
Seattle, Washington

Chief Resident, General Surgery
University of Washington, 2002- 2003
Seattle, Washington

Chief Resident, Cardiothoracic Surgery
University of Washington, 2003- 2005

Assistant Professor, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
University of Washington, 2005-2008
Seattle, Washington

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
St Joseph Cardiothoracic Surgeons
Thoracic Surgeon
Tacoma, Washington
2008 to present

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 Gilbert Johnston, MD

Dr. Gilbert Johnston is a cardiac and pulmonary surgeon who has been in active practice in Western Washington since 1981. He received his general and vascular surgery training at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). While at UCSD, he worked on several research projects (including mechanical devices to assist the failing heart) that involved bioengineering and computer modeling. His training in cardiac and pulmonary surgery was completed at the University of Oregon Health Sciences Center in 1981, after which he moved to Tacoma and began private practice. He continued many of his research projects, working with colleagues at the University of Washington School of Medicine and representatives of private industry (he holds six U.S. patents).

Dr. Johnston is an experienced cardiac and thoracic surgeon who has performed over 3,000 open-heart and thoracic procedures. One of Dr. Johnston's primary interests has always been measuring and reducing the risk of cardiac surgery. He served on the Ad Hoc Committee of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons to establish a national database for analysis of outcomes. He is also a member of the American Statistical Association and the American Medical Informatics Association. He has presented several scientific papers on statistical computer modeling of mortality risk in cardiac surgery patients.

He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a diplomat of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. Dr. Johnston has also served as past director for the Professional Review Organization of Washington, Alaska, and Idaho (PROWest). He is presently a member of the management committee for the Clinical Outcomes Assessment Program for Washington State. He also served on various data and informatics advisory committees for the Washington State Medical Association and Washington State Department of Health.

Dr. Johnston is married; he and his wife (also a physician) have two daughters. He is a strong proponent of physical exercise (running, biking, climbing, etc.), and likes to sail when time permits.

BOARD CERTIFICATION
American Board of Surgery 1980
American Board of Thoracic Surgery 1982

EDUCATION
University of Texas, B.A. 1960 – 1965
Austin, Texas (BA)

University of Tennessee, M.D., 1966 - 1969
Memphis, Tennessee (MD)

ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
Medical Internship
UT Medical Center/Baptist Memorial Hospital 1969 – 1970
Memphis, Tennessee

General/Vascular Surgery Residency
University of California 1972 – 1978
San Diego, California

Cardiopulmonary Surgery Residency
University of Oregon 1979 – 1981
Health Science Center
Portland, Oregon

Clinical Faculty, Department of Surgery
School of Medicine, University of Washington
Seattle, Washington

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
MultiCare Health System
Quality Assurance Committee, 1984 – 1986
Surgery Committee, 1986 – 03
Medical Director, Cardiac Services, 2001 – 2003
Tacoma, Washington

Franciscan Health System
Quality Assurance Committee, 1986-1999; Chairman 1986 – 1988
Surgery Committee, 1987– 89; Chairman 1989
Medical Director, Cardiac Surgical Services, 1998 – 2001, 2004 to present
Tacoma, Washington

Subcommittee on Risk Stratification
Ad Hoc Committee to Develop a National Database for Thoracic Surgery
Society of Thoracic Surgeons
1991

Chairman, Data and Technology Subcommittee
Washington State Medical Association Task Force for Certified Health Plan
1994

Chairman, Management Committee
Washington State Clinical Outcomes Assessment Program (COAP) 2000-2001
Member Washington State COAP Management Committee
1999 to present

St Joseph Cardiothoracic Surgeons
Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeon
Tacoma, Washington
2005 to present

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 John M. Luber, MD

Dr. John Luber is a board certified cardiothoracic surgeon who has been practicing for over 25 years. He received his undergraduate degree from Stanford University, his medical degree at Tulane University School of Medicine and his general and thoracic surgery training at the Oregon Health Science University, Portland. Dr. Luber completed his surgical training in 1982 at the Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Boston, MA as the Senior Resident in Cardiovascular Surgery. Dr. Luber has been published in numerous papers, books and abstracts and has served as principal investigator in more than 30 clinical trials. 

Dr. Luber has been a part of the Franciscan Health System Heart Leadership team since 1998. He has served as Associate Professor of Surgery and chaired the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Albany Medical College and State University of New York at Stonybrook School of Medicine. He is a fellow in the American College of Surgeons, the American College of Cardiology and the American College of Chest Physicians. He is also a member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, North Pacific Surgical Associate and a founding member of the Northeast Pediatric Cardiology Society. As an involved member of the American Heart Association, in the past he has served on the Board of Directors (Nassau County), as Second Vice President (Nassau County) and currently as a member of the Council on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young. Additionally, Dr. Luber is a part of the International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery, North American Chapter and The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. Dr. Luber acts as a consultant in numerous positions including National Facilitator Merck, Inc- HeartCare Partnership, National Advisor for Cardiac Surgical Device and Drug Development, Distance Learning Network and Astra Zeneca.
Dr. Luber is married and has four children. His outside interests including cooking and travel

BOARD CERTIFICATION
American Board of Surgery, 1980
American Board of Thoracic Surgery, 1984
American Board of Thoracic Surgery – Recertification, 1994, 2004   

EDUCATION
Stanford University, A.B, 1969
Tulane University School of Medicine, M.D., 1973

ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
Rotating Internship
Oregon Health Sciences University, 1973 -74
Portland, OR

Residency in Surgery
Oregon Health Sciences University, 1974 -79
Portland, OR

Residency in Thoracic Surgery
Oregon Health Sciences University, 1979 -81
Portland, OR

Senior Resident in Cardiovascular Surgery
Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 1981-82
Boston, MA

Associate Professor of Surgery
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Albany Medical College, 1993 - 99
Albany, NY

Associate Professor, Department of Surgery
State University of New York at Stonybrook School of Medicine, 1984-89.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Franciscan Health System
Director, Cardiovascular Surgical Services, 2001-2004
Chairman, Research Committee, 1998-present
Chair, Franciscan Research Center, Advisory Board, 2000-present
Chair, Catholic Health Initiatives Cardiac Surgery, Data Committee, 2000-present
Member, Pharmacy, Therapeutics and Technology Committee, 1999-present
Member, Blood Utilization Committee, 2000-present       

Board of Directors, PCHEART 

Staff Cardiac Surgeon
St. Joseph Medical Center, 1998-present
Tacoma General Hospital, 2001-present
Auburn Regional Medical Center, 2001-present
Good Samaritan Hospital, 2001-present

Albany Medical Center
Chief, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Albany Medical College
Cardiothoracic Surgeon-In-Chief, 1995-1999 
Associate Professor of Surgery, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, 1993-1999
Medical Director, Cardiopulmonary Surgical Unit, 1994-1999
Director, Thoracic Surgery Residency Program, 1996-1999
Director, Cardiothoracic Quality Improvement, 1993-1999
Albany, NY 

Associate Staff, Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, 1992-1993.

President, Oregon Biotechnology Development Enterprises, 1990-1991

Clinical Director, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Emanuel Hospital and Health Center, 1989-1990
Portland, Oregon

Attending Surgeon and head of Section of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery
Long Island Jewish Medical Center, 1982-1989
New Hyde Park, New York

Attending Surgeon
Queen’s Hospital Center, 1982-1989
Queens, New York

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 Thomas Molloy, MD
Medical Director for Cardiac Surgery
Dr. Molloy graduated from Stanford University and received his medical degree at Dartmouth Medical School. His general surgery and cardiothoracic surgery residencies were served at the University of Arizona. He was the Cardiothoracic Surgery Division Chief for the Legacy Portland Hospitals where 500 to 800 open heart procedures are performed annually from 1999 until joining St. Joseph Cardiothoracic Surgeons. He is board certified in general surgery and cardiothoracic surgery.

Dr. Molloy’s practices adult cardiac surgery, general thoracic surgery, and vascular surgery limited to aortic and carotid artery procedures. As primary surgeon he has performed more than 3,000 open heart procedures including more than 1,200 valve procedures. Dr. Molloy was the first surgeon to begin doing robotic heart surgery in Western Washington and he uses the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System to do a variety of heart procedures. He has extensive mitral valve repair experience and is a principle investigator for the Coapsys Myocardial Splint Device which allows surgeons to correct mitral insufficiency without utilizing cardiopulmonary bypass. He is also experienced in complex aortic valve and aortic root surgery including homograft and Ross procedures, aortic root enlargement and remodeling procedures, and thoracic aortic aneurysm surgery including elephant trunk reconstructions. He routinely performs isolated mitral and aortic valve procedures as well as atrial septal defect closures with minimally invasive technology. He has led numerous training courses and proctored many surgeons in both beating heart coronary bypass surgery and the maze procedure for atrial fibrillation ablation and has performed over 200 atrial fibrillation ablation procedures. He was amongst the first surgeons in the world to perform the maze procedure on the beating heart in 2001. His experience in heart failure surgery includes cardiac transplantation, ventricular remodeling, and ventricular assist.

Outside of medicine Dr. Molloy enjoys cross country skiing, competing regularly in regional and international masters competitions. He is an avid pilot and holds commercial, certified flight instructor and instrument flight instructor ratings. He also enjoys cycling, ski mountaineering and fly fishing. Most of all he enjoys spending time with his wife and daughters.

BOARD CERTIFICATION
American Board of Surgery 1987
American Board of Thoracic Surgery 1992

EDUCATION
University of Arizona, 1975 – 1975
Tucson, Arizona

Stanford University, B.S. with Distinction in Biology, 1975 – 1977
Palo Alto, California

Dartmouth Medical School, M.D., 1978 – 1981
Hanover, New Hampshire

ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
Intern, General Surgery
Virginia Mason Hospital, 1981 – 1982
Seattle, Washington

Resident, General Surgery
University of Arizona, 1982 – 1985
Tucson, Arizona

Chief Resident, General Surgery
University of Arizona, 1985 – 1986
Tucson, Arizona

Resident, Cardiothoracic Surgery
University of Arizona, 1986 – 1987, 1989 – 1990
Tucson, Arizona

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Flagstaff Surgical Associates
Partner – General Vascular and Thoracic Surgery
Flagstaff, Arizona
1986 – 1988

Northwest Surgical Associate Inc.
Partner – Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Portland, Oregon
1990 – 2007

Legacy Health Systems
Cardiothoracic Surgery Division Chief
Portland, Oregon
1999 – 2007

St. Joseph Cardiothoracic Surgeons
Tacoma, Washington
2007 to present

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Caryn Brett, RN, CCRN
As a nurse clinician for the Cardiothoracic Surgeons, Caryn’s duties involve coordinating patient transfers from outside facilities to SJMC, educating patents about their pre and post operative care, physical assessment of the patient in both hospital and clinic, and teaching a “Discharge Education Class” aimed at providing home instruction for the post open heart surgery patient. Caryn has worked as a registered nurse since 1981 graduating with a BSN from University of Portland followed by Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) accreditation in 1991. With a background in critical care and open-heart surgery, Caryn is a comfortable fit with the cardiothoracic surgery clinical team. “The patient truly comes first,” Caryn notes. The clinical team treats their patients with compassion and respect and takes pride in their ability to provide in-dept teaching to patients and their families before, during and after hospitalization. When Caryn is not working she enjoys gardening, golfing, and keeping fit by exercising at the gym and walking outdoors. Her new passions are home remodeling projects and enjoying the benefits of those projects.

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Mike Cavanagh, PA-C
Mike has worked with the Cardiac Surgery Team since November 1998. As a physician assistant (PA), Mike assists the surgeons with surgical procedures, helps with the evaluation of patients before surgery, care of patients after surgery and occasionally evaluates patients in clinic follow-up.

He was trained as a physician assistant the U.S. Army’s program in San Antonio, Texas. He holds a B.S. from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, and a M.S. from St. Francis College in Loretto, Pennsylvania. He has now worked for more than 20 years as a Physician Assistant and has worked in a cardiac surgery environment since 1992.

He wants cardiac surgery patients to leave the hospital feeling positive about their surgery and excited to begin rehabilitation towards a full, healthy life. He explains to patients what to expect before, during and after surgery, so that they recognize events when they happen.

Mike’s interests include spending time with his family, fishing, hunting and camping. He is married and has two sons.

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Karen Colburn, RN
Karen joined the cardiothoracic surgery team in March 2000. As a nurse clinician, Karen is involved in pre-operative and post-operative teaching, assisting with hospital rounds and clinic patients. Karen promotes communication between the physician and patient, the patient's family, along with the hospital staff and referring physicians.

Karen has 17 years experience as a Coronary Care Registered Nurse. She was the first recipient of the Betty Hoffman Award of Excellence in Nursing, 1987. Her background includes: assistant nurse manager/staff nurse of a coronary care unit and staff nurse in a post-open heart special care unit. Karen has been active in the past as an ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) instructor and has 12 years of experience as a cardiac educator for a large cardiology practice.

Karen finds the cardiothoracic surgery team to be very unique in their focus on the patient. The office staff, nurses, physician's assistants and physicians provide personal attention to each patient and family. An overriding focus of the surgery group is that the patient receives the very best possible care and that the patient feels positive about their surgery process.

Karen enjoys a variety of outdoor activities including camping, snow skiing, water skiing, boating and bicycling.

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Bob Hodge, PA-C
Bob was a former military physician assistant (PA) and perfusionist who serves as part of the Cardiothoracic Surgeons’ diverse team of health care providers, assembled to provide integrated care to patients and their families. This team approach allows unmatched flexibility and consistency in the care the group provides. Bob has worked with the Cardiothoracic Surgeons’ team since 1998.

His vision for the practice is that it would continue to grow and allow others to know and experience its excellent care and compassion for patients and their families. He wants patients to feel satisfied knowing they received the best possible care, and were treated with dignity and respect. St. Joseph Cardiothoracic Surgeons’ team continues to provide this level of care, and keep patients and their families informed throughout their hospital course and convalescence.

Bob enjoys staying physically fit through running, hiking, golf, camping and, when it's raining, spending time with his computer. He has two sons.

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Susan Knight, RN
As a nurse clinician, Susan is involved in pre-operative teaching, assisting with hospital rounds, evaluating clinic patients, patient education and discharge planning. Susan acts as a liaison between the physician and patient and patient's family.

Susan has 19 years of experience in a cardiology practice, hospital experience, and has worked with the cardiothoracic surgery team since 1998. "This team is noted for its personal, comprehensive care throughout the surgical process," Susan notes. "The highly motivated and skilled clinical team share open communication with patients, families, and referring physicians. Members of the team take great pride in their accessibility and timely responsiveness. Daily team meetings to discuss patients' status, medical plan and family concerns continually improve quality care."

Susan enjoys traveling, snow skiing, day hiking, boating, gardening, music and her family time.

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Jill Poleskie, RN
Jill joined the cardiothoracic team in January, 2008 . As a nurse clinician, she is involved in pre- and post-operative teaching, assisting with hospital rounds and clinic patients. Jill acts as a liaison between the physician, patient and patient's family.

Jill has worked as a nurse for 25 years and has 20 years of experience in a large cardiology practice providing hands-on patient education and doing cardiac research. She finds this to be an exciting time in medicine where technology has greatly influenced patient care and length of hospital stay. "How lucky I am to be working with such a collaborative, professional team where patient care is truly what it's all about."

When Jill is not working, she enjoys spending time gardening, bicycling, hiking, reading and also listening to music especially music her son sings, writes and produces. Her daughter has followed in her foot steps as she currently works as a labor and delivery nurse for St. Joseph Medical Center. Jill devotes many hours each year to volunteering in the mission field, having traveled with medical teams to the Congo in Africa twice and to China. Jill has been married to her husband Randy for 31 years.

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Doug Rossi, PA-C
As a physician assistant (PA), Doug enjoys working with patients, both on the wards and in surgery. He assists with surgery, including harvesting veins for bypass procedures, frequently using the endoscopic technique. Doug was recognized in 2005 by the Guidant Leadership Circle, a distinguished group of physician assistants and clinicians who have made significant contributions in the advancement of endoscopic vein harvest and improved patient care.

Doug has performed hundreds of “Endoscopic Vein Harvest” procedures over the past three years, providing new technology for the patients requiring saphenous vein harvesting. The benefit of endoscopic vein harvesting minimizes the length of a patient’s leg incisions, thus decreasing their post-operative pain and swelling and the risk of wound infection. This leads to a more rapid recovery, accelerated ambulation, and a potentially decreased length of stay.

Doug also does rounds on patients in the hospital and occasionally evaluates patients in the clinic for follow-up visits. He enjoys spending time with patients and families, trying to help make a stressful situation more comfortable through education, understanding and compassion. Doug always tries to bring a smile to the patient’s face, feeling that humor is strong medicine.

Working in cardiac surgery since 1988, Doug graduated from the Yale Physician Assistant Program in 1985 and holds a B.A. degree from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. He worked in surgery on the East Coast until marrying and moving to Washington state in 1988. Doug lives in Gig Harbor with his wife, also a PA/Midwife, and his two teenage children. Enjoying his time with family, rebuilding computers and doing home projects keeps Doug busy. This latest project is a 12-by-8 foot tree house with electricity, cable, front porch and its own suspension bridge!

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John Stoneman, PA-C
John joined the cardiac surgery team in January 2001 and has worked in the cardiovascular and thoracic surgical environment since 1998.He attended the Bowman Gray School of Medicine’s Physician Assistant Program in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Staying fit and pursuing his personal best is of utmost importance. John enjoys biking, mountain climbing and skiing.

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