Fall Conference Showcase

Dr. Vinnie Bapat joined the Valve Science Center team in June 2020, bringing extensive expertise as a cardiothoracic surgeon and innovator in the treatment of heart valve disease. In recognition of his internationally renowned research and educational work in valvular heart disease, he was named the James R. and Judith A. Bradshaw Chair for the Valve Science Center in 2026. Dr. Bapat also serves as Chair of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute, where he cares for patients directly.

Prior to joining the team, Dr. Bapat was a cardiac surgeon at New York Presbyterian Hospital and Professor of cardiothoracic surgery at Columbia University Medical Center in New York. He also previously served as Professor of cardiothoracic surgery at Guys and St. Thomas’ Hospital, London and continues to hold that position as visiting Professor. 

Dr. Bapat earned his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgeon degrees, followed by Master of Surgery and Master of Cardiothoracic Surgery degrees, at the University of Bombay in India and King Edward Memorial Hospital. He completed his Fellowship of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons (FRCS) in cardiothoracic surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh, U.K. He also completed an internship, three residencies and two fellowships at various institutions, including King Edward Memorial Hospital and University of Mumbai, Toronto General Hospital in Canada, and as part of rotations at institutions in the United Kingdom, including Guys and St. Thomas’ Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and Royal County Sussex Hospital in Brighton, U.K.

In addition to his clinical accomplishments, Dr. Bapat has been a collaborator among his peers in the world of transcatheter valves through the creation of two apps that are downloadable on mobile devices – Valve-in-Valve (VIV) Mitral and VIV Aortic. The apps provide imaging and clinical information, such as dimensions and characteristics of the various valve repair technologies and have been downloaded in 132 countries. Through these apps, physicians access data and clinical insights to determine the technology options based on their individual patient needs, including guidance and insights on the implant procedure. Notably, the Apps are free to download and are updated every year to provide up to date guidance.
 

Michaella Alexandrou, MD, joined the MHIF Center of Coronary Artery Disease as the Sens Senior International Scholar in March 2023 from Athens, Greece. She obtained her MD from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in 2022. In her role as an MHIF CCAD Scholar, Michaella will work on various CCAD IIS projects, including REBIRTH, NASA, PROGRESS-CTO, CARE-CTO, PROGRESS Bifurcations, PROGRESS Complications and others.

In 2019, Michaella was awarded the Priscilla M. Clarkson Student Travel Award from the American College of Sports Medicine and presented her work at the Annual Meeting of ACSM in Orlando, Florida. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Michaella took an elective placement at the Pathological Clinic of Greece’s main hospital, Sotiria Hospital, answering their call for volunteers. Additionally, she was actively involved in a research group regarding the outcomes of hospitalized COVID-19 patients belonging to racial minorities at Evangelismos Hospital, one of the largest public hospitals in Greece.

As a medical student, Michaella was also an Officer of Human Rights and Peace on the Hellenic Medical Students International Committee, and obtained a Stavros Niarchos Foundation scholarship for a Minor in International and European Affairs at the American College of Greece in Athens, through which she was able to explore her interests in vital questions about power, human rights, war and peace.

Dr. Jay Traverse is a senior consulting cardiologist at Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute and the director of research at MHIF. His special interests include interventional cardiology, stem cell therapy, biomaterials, and ischemia/reperfusion injury. He is also an associate professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine.