Dr. Robert Cusimano is a cardiovascular surgeon at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, University Health Network, Professor of Surgery at the University of Toronto, and holder of the Cynamon Professorship in Cardiovascular Innovation and Education. A member of Toronto General Hospital’s heart transplant team since 1993, he has performed more adult heart transplants than any other surgeon in Toronto and is internationally recognized for his expertise in advanced heart failure therapies, cardiac rhythm management devices, and cardiac tumours.
A passionate educator, Dr. Cusimano has held leadership roles in cardiac surgery education at both the University of Toronto and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, contributing to the development of competency-based surgical training across Canada.
He is also founder of the Toronto Cardiac Tumour Conference and leader of international initiatives aimed at improving the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac tumours worldwide. Through his clinical, educational, and global health activities, Dr. Cusimano has helped shape cardiovascular surgery practice and training both in Canada and internationally.
- BSc, University of Toronto; MD, University of Calgary
- MSc (Institute of Medical Science, Surgical Scientist Program), University of Toronto
- General Surgery Residency, University of Toronto
- Cardiac Surgery Residency, University of Toronto
- Heart transplantation
- Mechanical circulatory support and ventricular assist devices (LVADs)
- Transcatheter valve therapies
- Cardiac rhythm device implantation and extraction
- Cardiac tumours; advanced heart failure surgery