Meet BSA’s New Cardiothoracic Surgeon

BSA Cardiothoracic Surgery would like to officially welcome Dr. Donald J. Robertson to BSA Health System.

Dr. Robertson completed his medical training at Texas Tech University School of Medicine and his Thoracic Surgery residency at the Baylor College of Medicine. With more than 20 years of experience, Dr. Robertson is providing patients with expert diagnosis and treatment in cardiothoracic surgery.

Dr. Robertson’s path to cardiothoracic surgery began with a good book.

“I read a book called Hearts by Thomas Thompson, and that’s kind of where it all started,” Dr. Robertson explained. “It’s about Dr. Michael E. DeBakey. It’s a little insight into early heart surgery.”

Cardiothoracic surgeons specialize in surgical procedures of the heart, lungs and other organs in the chest. Dr. Robertson and other cardiothoracic surgeons are also referred to as cardiac surgeons, cardiovascular surgeons, general thoracic surgeons and congenital heart surgeons.

“We see most of our patients in the hospital after they have had an evaluation, like an EKG or angiogram,” Dr. Robertson said.

Dr. Robertson says his favorite part about being a specialist in thoracic and cardiac surgery is helping his patients feel better.

“My goal is to not have long-term patients,” Dr. Robertson shared. “My goal is to operate on the patient, do a good job, monitor recovery, get them back to their regular doctors and back to their lives.”

Dr. Robertson generally sees patients who have experienced a heart attack or heart failure. According to the American Heart Association, 5.7 million adults in the United States have heart failure and about every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a heart attack.

When it comes to maintaining a healthy heart, Dr. Robertson encourages his patients to take the necessary steps to lower the risk of these serious medical conditions.

“Watch and moderate your diet, get lots of exercise, rest and take your medications,” Dr. Robertson said. “Take care of yourself because that’s the most important thing.”

Dr. Robertson is excited to be part of BSA and help patients in the Amarillo area.

“Everybody at BSA is fantastic,” Dr. Robertson shared. “BSA is a great place for patients- it’s a very nice facility that is run very well. The people are great.”

For more information about BSA Cardiothoracic Surgery, please call 806-212-4535 or click here.