A pioneer in hybrid cardiovascular surgical techniques, Jacques Kpodonu, M.D. joined Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in late 2008. He is also a member of the Raney-Zusman Medical Group, one of the premier cardiovascular and thoracic surgery groups in Southern California comprised of surgeons exclusive to Hoag. Dr. Kpodonu specializes in a unique approach to cardiac surgery that combines percutaneous interventions and open surgical procedures (conventional or minimally invasive).
Dr. Kpodonu earned his bachelors degree in medicine and surgery at the University of Ghana Medical School in Accra, Ghana. He has extensive international experience and education including multiple internships at Ghana hospitals before taking a fellowship in cardiovascular surgery at Toronto General Hospital in Ontario, Canada. Dr. Kpodonu continued his medical education in the United States where he became a resident at Good Samaritan Hospital in Maryland, followed by a residency and fellowship at The John Hopkins Hospital in Maryland. He also served as resident and chief resident at Loma Linda University Affiliated Hospitals in California and then accepted a position at University of Illinois Hospital and Clinics as resident and chief resident in cardiothoracic surgery. More recently, he completed a fellowship in vascular and endovascular surgery at the Arizona Heart Institute in Phoenix and an advanced cardiovascular surgery fellowship at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. He is also board certified in general and cardiothoracic surgery and board eligible in endovascular therapies.
Dr. Kpodonu is affiliated with many organizations throughout the world including the International Society of Endovascular Specialists, Society of Thoracic Surgeons, Ghana Medical Association, Edward B. Diethrich Vascular Surgical Society, Ghana Surgical Research Society, Chicago Surgical Society, American Medical Association, Cardiothoracic Surgery Network and College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, Canada.
He is widely published in textbooks and journals on topics including arterial, endovascular, thoracic and cardiothoracic surgery. Additionally, Dr. Kpodonu is an invited lecturer and presenter at national and international conferences such as the American Association of Thoracic Surgeons and the International Congress on Endovascular Interventions.