Cristian Baeza, MD

About

Cristian Baeza, MD, is a senior attending cardiac surgeon and Co-Director of the Aortic Center at University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute. He is also a clinical Associate Professor of Surgery at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.

Dr. Baeza is dedicated to providing comprehensive, leading-edge care for patients with complex aortic diseases. As one of the most experienced cardiac surgeons in Northeast Ohio performing the Ross procedure, he offers young patients a solution that enhances both their quality and longevity of life, eliminating the need for multiple future surgeries. For patients requiring treatment for thoracic aneurysms, Dr. Baeza prioritizes minimally invasive techniques, allowing them to avoid open-heart surgery and experience a faster, smoother recovery.

Dr. Baeza earned his medical degree from the University of Chile before completing two residencies, in general surgery and thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, at Catholic University Hospital in Santiago, Chile. Dr. Baeza then came to the United States to complete a residency and fellowship in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. He earned clinical and academic honors during his training.

After his training, Dr. Baeza returned to Chile to serve patients in his home country. There he honed his surgical and percutaneous treatment skills as Staff Surgeon, Program Director, and Chairman of the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular surgery in two of the most prestigious private and public hospitals in Chile. Following 20 years of a fruitful professional and academic career in Chile, Dr. Baeza decided to pursue an additional step in his personal and professional growth, finding his way back to Cleveland and joining University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute.

Beyond his surgical practice, Dr. Baeza is active in professional societies and research activities. He has been a key investigator in many new devices and was the implanter in five first-in-man clinical trials during his time in Chile. He has provided multiple lectures on various topics related to cardiothoracic surgery and authored over 60 peer-reviewed publications and abstracts in professional journals.