Title: Surgeon
Company: Main Line Health
Location: Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, United States
Francis P. Sutter, DO, surgeon at Lankenau Medical Center with Main Line Health, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Doctors for dedication, achievements, and leadership in cardiology.
With nearly four decades of experience, Dr. Sutter has established a distinguished career in health care, specializing in cardiology. He currently serves as chief of cardiac surgery at Lankenau Medical Center, a role he has held since 2001. His extensive experience includes positions as a surgeon at Lankenau Medical Center, part of Main Line Health, and as a clinical professor of surgery at Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. He has also contributed numerous articles to professional journals. Additionally, he serves as a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and is a member of the American Osteopathic Association, American College of Surgeons, American College of Osteopathic Surgeons, American Heart Association, Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and the International Society of Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery. He laid a strong educational foundation, earning a bachelor’s degree from La Salle University in Philadelphia, followed by a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1976. He completed a residency in surgery at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University in 1983 and a residency in thoracic surgery at Thomas Jefferson University in 1986.
Reflecting on his path, Dr. Sutter discovered his passion for heart surgery during his training at Thomas Jefferson University, a leading heart research center at the time. His dedication led him through four years of college, four years of medical school, and 10 years of residency, culminating in his first official operation in 1986. Today, he is a respected leader in the field, known for his significant contributions, including the Delaware Valley Quality Improvement Initiative, which encourages heart surgeons to continually elevate their performance. He has also made a groundbreaking contribution to cardiac surgery through his expertise in robotic and beating-heart surgery. Unlike the conventional method, his approach allows the heart to continue beating during the procedure, eliminating the need to stop it, holding immense promise for countless patients worldwide. His minimally invasive technique uses robotic assistance, requiring only two small holes and a small incision, while the heart beats normally. This innovative approach enables patients to recover swiftly, often feeling as though they underwent a far less invasive procedure.
Dr. Sutter’s interest in minimally invasive cardiac surgery began as early as 1997, well before Lankenau acquired its first surgical robot. Since 2005, with the support of a dedicated cardiac surgical team, he has performed over 2,000 robotic coronary bypass procedures with outstanding outcomes, a major milestone in his career. He also takes great pride in his participation in the 2017 Hybrid Coronary Revascularization Trial. Throughout his career, he has received numerous honors, including a presidential citation from the American Osteopathic Association in 2023, recognition as a “Top Doctor” by Main Line Today from 2010 to 2020, the O.J. Snyder Memorial Medal from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2018, and the Roland Holroyd Award from La Salle University in 2006. He attributes his success to his unwavering commitment to excellence. From his high school years through college, he consistently took on leadership roles, serving as captain of multiple teams and always striving to excel, leading this to be a driving force throughout his career. throughout his career.
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