Ross Procedure Blog
By Adam Pick
Inside Access: The Ross Procedure Wet Lab at USC
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page last updated: March 12, 2025
In case you missed it… Earlier today, we had special access to the Ross Procedure Training Course taught by Dr. Vaughn Starnes and Dr. Craig Baker. As you may know, Dr. Starnes performed the Ross Procedure on me in 2005. Nearly 20 years later, my heart is doing perfect and I do not take any medications or blood thinners.
Ross Procedure Patient Education Center Launches Now!
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: March 12, 2025
As many of you know, I had a Ross Procedure performed by Dr. Vaughn Starnes in 2005. Since then, nearly 20 years ago, I have had no re-operations and I am not on any medications including blood thinners. While the Ross Procedure is not for everybody, I am getting many patient questions about this advanced form of aortic valve surgery given new research about patients who are experiencing (i) a return to normal life expectancy and (ii) long-term durability going out to the third post-operative decade.
NEW 3PM EST START TIME: Join Me LIVE In A Ross Procedure Training Course
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page last updated: March 7, 2025
Ready to experience something extraordinary?
4 Must-Know Facts About the Ross Procedure
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: October 21, 2024
Hey Everybody!
Heart Warrior: New Patient Video Celebrates the Ross Procedure and Dr. Christopher Burke
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: April 28, 2024
Congratulations to Andy Dial, a Ross Procedure patient from Pullayup, Washington and member of the HeartValveSurgery.com, for the wonderful release of his new video, “Heart Warrior”. I am touched, moved and inspired by Andy’s patient advocacy efforts to drive awareness to the Ross Procedure, Dr. Christopher Burke, his surgeon, and the medical team at UW Medicine Heart Institute that helped save Andy’s life.
Surgeon Q&A: “What About Ross Procedure Autograft Wrapping?” asks William
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Medical Expert: Ismail El-Hamamsy MD, PhD, Cardiac Surgeon, Mount Sinai Hospital
Published: April 23, 2024
I just received a great question from William about the Ross Procedure, an advanced form of aortic valve replacement that moves the patient’s pulmonary valve into the aortic position.
“Can Leaky Pulmonary Valves Work for the Ross Procedure?” asks Tim
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Medical Expert: Christopher Burke, MD, Cardiac Surgeon, UW Medicine Heart Institute
Published: July 20, 2023
I’m receiving lots of excellent patient questions about the Ross Procedure.
New Ross Procedure Research for Aortic Valve Patients To Consider
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: May 4, 2023
Given my experience with the Ross Procedure, I continue to get lots of great patient questions about this advanced form of aortic valve replacement. Patients often ask me about the durability of the Ross Procedure, the life expectancy of the Ross Procedure, and what happens if a reoperation is needed in the future.
“What About Ross Procedure Reoperations for the Aortic & Pulmonary Valves?” asks Joe
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: January 26, 2023
Given the renewed interest for the Ross Procedure – from patients in our community – I’m getting lots of excellent questions about this advanced form of aortic valve replacement. For example, Joe asked me, “Is it more common for the aortic valve or pulmonary valve to fail?” and “If the aortic or pulmonary valve fails, can a transcatheter valve replace the failing valve without an open-heart procedure?”
Patient Email: “Are Ross Procedure Patients at Higher Risk for Endocarditis?” asks Sara
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: August 26, 2022
I just received a fantastic question from Sara, a Ross Procedure patient, in response to an article about endocarditis and heart valve disease featuring comments from Dr. David Kaczorowski, a leading cardiac surgeon from UPMC. Her question is about the statement, “If you have an acquired valve disease, artificial heart valve, congenital heart disease, or have a history of valvular disease, monitoring your health for endocarditis symptoms is especially important.”
Patient Quiz: What Just Happened to Andy’s Heart Valves in Dr. Burke’s Operating Room?
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: August 2, 2022
Many thanks to Andy Dial, an avid 33-year-old fisherman from Puyallup, Washington, for sharing the amazing picture (below) from inside the operating room at UW Medicine Heart Institute in Seattle. So you know, Andy was born with a bicuspid aortic valve, aortic stenosis and Wolff-Parkinson White syndrome. In addition, Andy’s aorta began to dilate over the years.
Reed Is “Changed” Thanks to the Ross Procedure & Dr. Starnes!
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: February 1, 2022
There is nothing better than hearing from patients about their personal journeys to healthy hearts. For example, I just got a wonderful email from Reed about his successful Ross Procedure with Dr. Vaughn Starnes at Keck Medicine of USC. (As you might recall, Dr. Starnes performed my Ross Procedure over 15 years ago.)
8-Year Old, Grant, Gets Successful Ross Procedure Thanks to Dr. Starnes!
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: August 30, 2021
Since starting HeartValveSurgery.com in 2006, I’ve been fortunate to speak with thousands of patients about heart valve disease.
Patient Webinar: “Advantages of the Ross Procedure” with Dr. Stelzer & Dr. El-Hamamsy
By Adam Pick on November 12, 2020
[Update: The webinar, held on November 18, was fantastic!!! You can now download the free eBook or watch the webinar video at this link.]
After Ross Procedure Success, Elisabeth Runs to Support Heart Disease Patients!
By Adam Pick on May 26, 2020
When courageous patients transform medical lemons into lemonade, I want you to know about it.
Research Update: Are There Advantages of the Ross Procedure?
By Adam Pick on August 29, 2018
The first time I heard about the Ross Procedure I was skeptical. My first thought was, “What???!!! You want to play musical chairs with my heart valves? No way!!!” Then, the more I learned about this unique procedure for patients with aortic valve disease, I started thinking, “Hmmm. That might be the operation for me.”
Free eBook & Video: “Advantages of the Ross Procedure” Webinar
By Adam Pick on October 17, 2013
Great news!
Join 100 Patients for The Ross Procedure Webinar!
By Adam Pick on October 1, 2013
Great news everybody!
Special Announcement: Register Now for the Ross Procedure Webinar Hosted by Dr. Paul Stelzer on October 3
By Adam Pick on September 22, 2013
I am very excited to announce that Dr. Paul Stelzer and I will host a live webinar titled, “The Advantages of the Ross Procedure”, on Thursday, October 3 at 1pm EST. As many of you know, Dr. Stelzer has used the Ross Procedure to treat many patients in our community — including Jeff Shebovsky, Chris Dixon, Mark Kroto, Peter Woglom — that were diagnosed with aortic valve disease.
Special Video Interview: The Advantages of the Ross Procedure with Dr. Paul Stelzer & Peter Woglom
By Adam Pick on July 23, 2013
I receive a lot of questions about the Ross Procedure from patients with aortic valve disease. For that reason, I traveled to New York to film an educational video with Dr. Paul Stelzer, a leading Ross procedure surgeon, and Peter Woglom, one of his patient success stories.
Upcoming Surgeries
Bob Le Vaillant
Aortic Stenosis
March 18, 2025
Michael Ponzio
Aortic Stenosis
March 19, 2025
Sue Lambkin
Aortic Stenosis
March 20, 2025
Surgeon Spotlight
Dr. Luis Castro is the #1 patient-recommended heart valve surgeon at HeartValveSurgery.com. Dr. Castro specializes in minimally-invasive heart valve surgery.
