About
- Gender
- Male
Biography
I am a cardiothoracic surgeon at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Division of Cardiac Surgery and serves as their lead lung transplant surgeon. A native Hoosier, I completed my undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering at Purdue University, my medical doctorate at Indiana University and my PhD at the University of Minnesota in Surgery, investigating the immunobiology of minimally invasive surgery. My general surgery training was at the University of Minnesota where I also completed a Clinical Fellowship in Surgical Infectious Diseases. I subsequently completed my cardiothoracic surgery training at the University of Minnesota.
In my free time, I enjoy being with my family and experiencing the outdoors during all seasons.
My personal treatment philosophy is:
'I believe that each patient, his or her condition and his or her situation is unique. While we have many advanced therapies that can help treat these conditions, we have to match therapy to the patient's wishes. Major illness can be overwhelming and life changing. I work with my colleagues in pulmonary and cardiac medicine to create personalized treatment plans for patients with advanced lung and heart diseases. Each plan is tailored to meet each patient’s specific needs, which may include specialized medical management, cardiothoracic surgery, thoracic transplantation or mechanical support. We do our best to meet the patient’s emotional needs, as well as his or her medical condition.'
Highlights
- Rated in the top 10 percent of physicians in the nation for patient satisfaction, 2014-2019
Conditions and expertise
- Aneurysm
- Aortic Aneurysm
- Aortic Valve Insufficiency
- Aortic Valve Stenosis
- Cardiac Surgery
- Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures
- Coronary Artery Bypass
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
- Heart Diseases
- Heart Failure
- Heart Transplantation
- Heart Valve Diseases
- Heart Valve Prolapse
- Heart-Assist Devices
- Lung Transplantation
- Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures
- Mitral Valve
- Mitral Valve Prolapse
- Organ Transplantation
- Pulmonary Embolism
- Robotic Surgery
- Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm
- Transplantation
- Ventricular Dysfunction
Locations
in Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital
452 W. 10th Ave.
1st Floor
Columbus, OH 43210
614-293-7677
Please note: Not all physicians schedule patients at each listed location.
Credentials
Education
- Fellowship - Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery
- University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital, Minneapolis, MN, United States
7/1/2009 - 6/30/2012
- Residency - Surgery (General Surgery)
- University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital, Minneapolis, MN, United States
7/1/2007 - 6/30/2009
- Fellowship - Surgery (General Surgery)
- University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital, Minneapolis, MN, United States
7/1/2004 - 6/30/2006
- Residency - Surgery (General Surgery)
- University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital, Minneapolis, MN, United States
7/1/2002 - 6/30/2004
- Internship - Surgery (General Surgery)
- University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital, Minneapolis, MN, United States
6/1/2001 - 6/30/2002
- Doctor of Medicine (MD)
- Indiana University School of Medicine-Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, United States
8/1/1997 - 5/30/2001
Certifications
-
American Board of Thoracic Surgery
6/7/2013
-
American Board of Surgery
11/17/2009
Academics and research
I have 30 United States and international patents, several grants and more than 100 publications. I have presented nationally and internationally. I serve on several committees both locally and nationally. I direct The Collaboration for Organ Perfusion, Protection, Engineering and Regeneration (COPPER) Laboratory at Ohio State, which brings together transplant surgery, endothelial cell biology and biomedical, mechanical and chemical engineering experts. My clinical and research interests include lung and heart transplantation, ECLS/ECMO and mechanical circulatory support.
Research interests
- Lung Transplantation
- Heart Transplantation
- ECLS/ECMO
- Mechanical Circulatory Support
Research Techniques
- Rat lung perfusion
- Murine and rat lung transplantation
- Porcine lung perfusion and transplantation
- Cell culture
- Molecular biology and analytics
- Ischemia reperfusion modeling
Active Funding
- Preservation and rescue of the lung donor allograft for transplantation, NIH RO1, 7/1/2018 - 6/30/2023, $3,472,273
- Developing MG53 as a novel protein therapeutic for acute lung injury, Department of Defense, 7/1/2018 - 6/30/2021, $3,696,579
- Accelerator Awards program for "Novel Targeted Nanoparticle for CD38 Inhibition to Mitigate Stress Induced Organ Specific Injury"
Education
- Medical Degree: Indiana University School of Medicine
- PhD: Surgery, University of Minnesota
- Residency: General Surgery, University of Minnesota Hospitals and Clinics
- Fellowship: Surgical Infectious Diseases, University of Minnesota Hospitals and Clinics
- Fellowship: Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Minnesota
Honors and News
- Appointed chair of the Thoracic Organ Transplantation Committee for the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS), 2020-2023
- Performed second heart-lung transplant at OSUWMC
- Performed first lung-kidney transplant in Ohio
- Performed first lung-liver transplant at OSUWMC
- 30 United States and international patents
- Several grants
- 130+ publications
- Developed OSUWMC Comprehensive Transplant Center Organ Assessment and Repair Center (ARC)
Academic information
- Department:
- Surgery
- Division:
- Cardiac Surgery
Leadership titles
- Director, Division of Cardiac Surgery
- Interim Co-Director, Heart and Vascular Center
- Director, Thoracic Transplantation and Mechanical Circulatory Support
- Co-Director, COPPER Laboratory
Ratings and reviews
The overall patient satisfaction rating is an average of all patient responses to the six doctor communication related questions shown below from the Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey. For additional information about the patient satisfaction survey, please visit our Patient Satisfaction Survey page.
The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their view and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.
61 Patient Satisfaction Reviews
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Explains Things Carefully
4.9 / 5
-
Listens Carefully
4.9 / 5
-
Gives Understandable Instructions
4.8 / 5
-
Knows My Medical History
4.9 / 5
-
Shows Respect
4.9 / 5
-
Time Spent Together
4.9 / 5
Consulting and Related Relationships
At The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, we support a faculty member’s research and consulting in collaboration with medical device, research and/or drug companies because a faculty member’s expertise can guide important advancements in the practice of medicine and improve patient care. In order to provide effective management of these relationships, the University requires annual disclosures from all faculty members with external interests related to their University responsibilities.
As of 11/3/2025 Dr. Whitson has reported relationships with the companies or entities listed below. If you have questions about the relationships listed below, please ask the faculty member. If you have questions about how these relationships are monitored by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, please contact our Compliance Office.
- American Society of Artificial Internal Organs
- Medtronic
- Transmedics
- United Network for Organ Sharing
I was very well cared for
Dr.Whiston was great and very knowledgeable
Very professional
He did a great job at making me feel comfortable with the with what is going to be done.
Good interaction. Thouroughly explain procedure.
Dr Whitson had Dr Boudoulas join us, which saved me a future appointment. Necessary testing was then able to be scheduled more promptly. They worked together to help me sooner. So appreciative
Great experience
He was very professional. Made feel comfortable that Dr W knows what needs to take place to make me healthy again.
Very knowledgable and open to discussion.
Very good
Very friendly and professional
All great
Seems very knowledgeable about what's going on and how to remedy it
Good.
Excellent professional, very friendly and prepared
Good experience
I chose Dr. Whitson because he was recommended by a friend who had this same procedure done by him 2 years ago. He was very patient and compassionate. He explained the procedure, what to expect and answered the questions I had.
I thought he was detailed and informative. He outlined options and made sure I understood the process.
He was excellent. He spent a great deal of time with me. I came to him as a second opinion for my health diagnosis. He answered all my questions and gave me good information to think about.
My provider was very good
He clearly explained my situation and the surgery he will perform. He also listened and answered my questions in a friendly and conversational manner.
Both nurse practitioner and doctor were very knowledgeable.
Listened and answered our questions.