Salman Zaheer, MD

About Me

I am a fellowship-trained cardiothoracic surgeon at Penn State Health, double board-certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. I have a specialized interest in mitral valve pathology, with a particular focus on mitral valve repair. I also bring extensive expertise in the comprehensive surgical management of advanced heart failure, including heart transplantation and mechanical circulatory support.

My practice spans the full breadth of adult cardiac surgery, including total arterial coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), complex tricuspid valve repair and replacement, and valve-sparing aortic root replacement for patients with aortic root aneurysms—procedures meticulously designed to remove diseased aortic segments while preserving the integrity and function of the native aortic valve.

I completed my general surgery residency at the University of Pennsylvania, followed by a cardiothoracic surgery fellowship at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. During my fellowship, I had the distinct privilege of working alongside some of the world’s most esteemed heart surgeons. This invaluable experience exposed me to the complexities and evolving innovations within cardiac surgery, further solidifying my commitment to this life-changing field.

I chose cardiothoracic surgery because of its profound and immediate impact on a patient’s quality of life. It is deeply rewarding to witness my patients reclaim their health, spend more meaningful time with their loved ones, and fully engage in the richness of life.