Hiroo Takayama, MD, PhD

Dr. Takayama had forever changed the trajectory of our family. Two months ago, we learned that my husband had an urgent need to undergo a valve sparing aortic aneurysm repair. Timing was paramount. I had just started a new full time job and my third trimester with our second child. Dr. Takayama’s team worked diligently to help us book all of the appointments leading up to surgery and get us on the calendar quickly for the surgery. They knew that between my pregnancy, and keeping up with our toddler- that this intense surgery and recovery would require a lot of trust and support. The medical team at Columbia was incredible to us. This man was kind, patient, and so skilled. We are forever grateful to Dr. Takayama - who saved my husband’s life and ensured our two children will have a future

Dr. Takayama saved my husband’s life as he suffered from a silent quadruple bypass. Dr. Takayama’s skill and expertise are truly exceptional—he is the best of the best. My husband and I are profoundly grateful to have been under his care. If you need heart surgery, this is the surgeon and the place you can trust with your life. Thank you, Dr. Takayama for the surgery and Dr. Joseph Puma w the diagnosis and high tech heart mechanisms. . We are most grateful DrTakayama. He feels and runs like he is 30 again. —C. Pacheco, 4/2024

Dr. Takayama is exceptionally kind, calm, informative, thorough and lovely to work with. We couldn't have felt we were in better hands. Open heart surgery is a journey that is nothing if not daunting, and after meeting with Dr. Takayama, I felt so much better.

Dr. Takayama was a pleasure to discuss my aortic valve situation with. Both my wife Julie and I left our meeting instilled with confidence that he is the right surgeon for us at this time. His P.A. Jessica was also super knowledgeable about my case and helped us organize our thoughts for the following meeting with Dr. Takayama.

I am currently in the process of "interviewing" surgeons to for a life-extending operation. I'm talking to top surgeons in the top institutions who specialize in the procedure in New York where I live and work, so consider my comments below both informed and comparative. 1.) Dr. Takayma was highly recommended by my Columbia cardiologist, Dr. Hannah Goldblum. 2.) Dr. Takayama was very prompt with scheduling my first appointment with him. 3.) He was on time for my appointment and invited me into his office to review my diagnostics data and his assessment with me, for a generous hour. 4.) He gently and patiently guided me to my own decisions about what needed to be done and when, after discussing many options available to me. 5.) He gave me confidence that he could expertly do the job.