Sarasota Memorial achieves heart surgery milestone

Marking a significant medical milestone, Sarasota Memorial Health Care System recently performed its 1,000th minimally invasive cardiac surgery. The procedure, performed by Dr. Jonathan Hoffberger of First Physicians Group, repairs or replaces heart valves through a small incision between the ribs.

Many surgeons may now perform open heart surgeries through 2- to 3-inch incisions between the ribs rather than a sternotomy, which requires a 12- to 14-inch incision through the breastbone. By not cutting through the breastbone, minimally invasive cardiac surgery helps to reduce pain, infection risk and recovery time.

“Reaching 1,000 minimally invasive surgeries at SMH is a remarkable achievement for our entire heart team,” Hoffberger said in a news release. “It highlights the commitment we have made to delivering the highest-quality care with the most advanced procedures for our patients.”

Hoffberger, a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon, recently became chief of cardiovascular surgery at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. He developed the MICS program there while helping expand the health system’s robotic-assisted and minimally invasive cardiothoracic surgery offerings. He previously served in numerous hospital leadership positions, including SMH chief of surgery in 2020, and chief of staff in 2023.