BURLINGTON— Nationally recognized cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Prem Shekar, Chairman of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, will speak at the 9th Annual Health, Fitness, & Wellness Expo at Burlington Marriott Hotel in Burlington, MA, on Aug. 13, 2023.
He will discuss risks, complications, and recovery from heart surgery. The event is free for all attendees, but you must pre-register. To register for free, please click here.
He joined Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in 2021 where he leads the department’s efforts to treat patients with cutting edge surgical approaches, train the next generation of cardiothoracic surgeons and move the field forward through rigorous research.
Dr. Shekar is a highly skilled surgeon who brings a depth of experience around complex patient cases. Prior to joining LHMC, Dr. Shekar was chief of the Division of Cardiac Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) and associate professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School. He joined BWH in 2001 as a cardiothoracic surgical fellow, became a faculty member in 2004 and then served in many leadership roles prior to becoming chief of the division.
Dr. Shekar has performed close to 5,000 heart surgeries and authored more than 65 peer-reviewed publications along with several book chapters and has presented at national and international conferences. His clinical interests include surgery for genetically triggered heart disease such as in Marfan and Loeys-Dietz syndromes and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, minimally invasive valve surgery, aortic aneurysm surgery, complex cardiac surgical cases such as surgery for radiation-induced heart disease, carcinoid induced heart disease, adult congenital heart disease, pulmonary thromboembolism and reoperative cardiac surgery. He is also known for his philanthropic work in cardiac surgery in Rwanda and India.
Dr. Shekar received his medical degree from Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute in India. After completing his medical, general, and cardiothoracic surgical training in India, Shekar moved to Australia, where he pursued Advanced Training in Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Fremantle Hospital in Western Australia and the Royal Adelaide Hospital in South Australia from 1998-2001. He completed an advanced fellowship in adult cardiac surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and joined the Brigham and Women Hospital’s faculty in 2004. He is also a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Recently, Shekar completed his MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management.
He specializes in a wide range of adult cardiac surgery, including primary and coronary artery bypass grafting, repair or replacement for valvular heart disease, as well as resection and replacement of aneurysms.
Dr. Shekar’s is particularly interested in surgical treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, surgical correction of aortic root and mitral valve pathologies in patients with Marfan’s and Loeys-Dietz syndrome and other connective tissue disorders; minimally invasive valve surgery, surgery for adult congenital heart disease, and heart diseases caused by radiation exposure.
As in the past, Health Expo this year will focus on modern medicine, yoga, meditation, alternative medicine, physical fitness, beauty, anti-aging, and from onsite exercise training to keeping fit with Bollywood dancing and numerous workshops.
The expo brings together the region’s top health and wellness providers, top speakers and fun workshops to promote life-long health, fitness and wellness in our community. From free medical screenings to knowledgeable speakers to intensive yoga workshops, expo brings the best options for a lifetime of health for the New England community.
