Bryan Whitson

Bryan Whitson, MD, PHD

  • Cardiac Surgery
  • Physician

Professor of Surgery

Accepting new patients

Insurances We Accept

614-293-5502

About Me

Bryan A. Whitson, MD, PhD, is 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, Dr. Whitson completed his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering at Purdue University, his medical doctorate at Indiana University and his PhD at the University of Minnesota in Surgery, investigating the immunobiology of minimally invasive surgery. His general surgery training was at the University of Minnesota where he also completed a Clinical Fellowship in Surgical Infectious Diseases. Dr. Whitson subsequently completed his cardiothoracic surgery training at the University of Minnesota.

He has 30 United States and international patents, several grants and more than 100 publications. He has presented nationally and internationally. Dr. Whitson serves on several committees both locally and nationally. He directs 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. His clinical and research interests include lung and heart transplantation, ECLS/ECMO and mechanical circulatory support.

In this free time, he enjoys being with his family and experiencing the outdoors during all seasons.

Dr. Whitson’s 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

Procedures and Conditions I Treat

  • Aortic Aneurysm
  • Aneurysm
  • Coronary Artery Bypass
  • Organ Transplantation
  • Pulmonary Embolism
  • Aortic Valve Insufficiency
  • Aortic Valve Stenosis
  • Heart Valve Prolapse
  • Mitral Valve
  • Ventricular Dysfunction
  • Coronary Artery Disease
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic
  • Heart Valve Diseases
  • Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures
  • Mitral Valve Prolapse
  • Thoracic Surgery
  • Heart Diseases
  • Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures
  • Robotics
  • Lung Transplantation
  • Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
  • Heart-Assist Devices
  • Heart Transplantation
  • Heart Failure
  • Transplantation

Locations Where I Practice

Please note: Not all physicians schedule patients at each listed location.

Education and Training

Education History

Medical School

Indiana University School of Medicine-Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN
8/1/1997 - 5/30/2001

Internship

University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospita, Minneapolis, MN
6/1/2001 - 6/30/2002

Residency

University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospita, Minneapolis, MN
7/1/2002 - 6/30/2004

Fellowship

University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospita, Minneapolis, MN
7/1/2004 - 6/30/2006

Residency

University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospita, Minneapolis, MN
7/1/2007 - 6/30/2009

Fellowship

University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospita, Minneapolis, MN
7/1/2009 - 6/30/2012

Board Certifications

American Board of Surgery
11/17/2009

American Board of Thoracic Surgery
6/7/2013

Academic Information

My Department

Surgery

My Division

Cardiac Surgery

More About My Work

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.

45 Patient Satisfaction Reviews

  • Overall
    4.9 out of 5
  • Explains Things Carefully
    4.9 out of 5
  • Listens Carefully
    4.9 out of 5
  • Gives Understandable Instructions
    4.8 out of 5
  • Knows My Medical History
    4.9 out of 5
  • Shows Respect
    4.9 out of 5
  • Time Spent Together
    4.9 out of 5
  • Reviewed on Aug 30, 2024

    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.

  • Reviewed on Aug 27, 2024

    My provider was very good

  • Reviewed on Aug 18, 2024

    He clearly explained my situation and the surgery he will perform. He also listened and answered my questions in a friendly and conversational manner.

  • Reviewed on Mar 17, 2024

    Both nurse practitioner and doctor were very knowledgeable.

  • Reviewed on Feb 25, 2024

    Listened and answered our questions.

  • Reviewed on Jan 18, 2024

    Good

  • Reviewed on Dec 03, 2023

    Very good

  • Reviewed on Aug 31, 2023

    Good.

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 09/30/2024, 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.

  • Medtronic
  • United Network for Organ Sharing
  • Transmedics
  • American Society of Artificial Internal Organs

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