Northwell Names NY Surgeon To Direct Transplant Programs

Press release from Northwell Health:

Jan. 31, 2021

Zachary Kon, MD, a cardiothoracic surgeon with expertise in heart and lung transplant as well as experience in major types of advanced adult cardiac surgery, today joins Northwell Health as surgical director of two programs: advanced heart failure and cardiac transplantation, and advanced lung failure and lung transplantation. Dr. Kon will be based at the Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH).

With a strong reputation as both a cardiac and lung transplant surgeon, Dr. Kon comes to Northwell Health from NYU Langone, where he was surgical director of the hospital’s lung transplantation program and its pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary thromboendartectomy program. Prior to that, Dr. Kon headed the surgical programs for heart transplant and mechanical circulatory support and lung transplant at University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Kon join the health system, who is nationally known for his expertise, research and innovations in heart and lung transplant to provide life-saving treatment for patients with advanced and end-stage disease,” said Alan Hartman, MD, senior vice president and executive director of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery at Northwell Health.

With Northwell recently marking the third anniversary of the launch of its heart transplant program, the first and only one on Long Island, Dr. Hartman said, “We are planning to grow this program to reach more patients in need of a vital heart transplant. Dr. Kon will not only elevate this program, but Northwell plans to add critical lung transplantation and other pulmonary procedures for patients in need. Dr. Kon will be integral in developing these new services.”

As a cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Kon treats patients with advanced and end-stage heart and lung disease. This can include the use of artificial life-support devices and removal of clot (pulmonary embolectomy) and scar tissue from the arteries of the lungs.

A recognized expert in heart transplantation, Dr. Kon also is an authority on the surgical management of heart failure with ventricular assist devices (LVAD, or artificial heart pump) as well as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO, or an external life support machine). Publishing more than 125 articles in peer-reviewed journals, his research is focused on how minimally invasive surgery can decrease pain, recovery time and the risk of complications for patients. In addition, Dr. Kon has given more than 160 scientific presentations at medical and surgical meetings both in the United States and internationally.

Dr. Kon received his medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and completed his residency in cardiothoracic surgery from the same institution. He completed his fellowship in lung transplantation from Toronto General Hospital. Dr. Kon will hold the title of associate professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell.

This press release was produced by Northwell Health. The views expressed here are the author's own.