Ourania Preventza MD, MBA, FACS

Dr. Ourania Preventza is currently a professor with tenure at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Preventza was selected after a very competitive national search. Feedback during the selection process emphasized her extensive experience in cardiac and aortic surgery, her focus on collaboration across disciplines for building programs, and her uncompromising commitment to the education and mentorship of others.

Dr. Preventza received her medical degree from the Medical School of Athens and completed her General Surgery Residency at Wayne State University and Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She also completed a Surgical Critical Care Fellowship at Mayo Clinic and earned an MBA from Brandeis University focused on healthcare policy.

Dr. Preventza is internationally known for her work in complex cardiac and aortic surgery, especially endovascular aortic techniques. She is currently President of the International Society of Endovascular Specialists and is a leader in several professional organizations including the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, Women in Thoracic Surgery, Society of Thoracic Surgery, and the Southern Thoracic Surgery Association.

Dr. Preventza has contributed to more than 200 articles in peer-reviewed journals and serves on the Editorial Board of multiple cardiovascular journals including Associate Editor of Annals of Thoracic Surgery and Journal of Cardiac Surgery. Due to her commitment to excellence in mentorship and resident education, she recently was awarded the prestigious 2023 Socrates Award by the Thoracic Surgery Residents Association.