Dr. Vivek Rao is Operating Room Medical Director and Director of the Cardiovascular Surgery Fellowship at Toronto General Hospital, where he also serves as Surgical Director of the Mechanical Circulatory Support Program. A graduate of the University of Toronto’s MD, cardiac surgery, and PhD programs, Dr. Rao completed fellowship training in heart transplantation and mechanical circulatory support at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital in New York.
His clinical focus includes complex adult cardiac surgery, advanced heart failure, and the surgical use of mechanical assist devices. As a Senior Scientist in the Division of Experimental Therapeutics at the Toronto General Research Institute, his research explores novel surgical and device-based therapies for advanced heart failure.
Dr. Rao is nationally recognized for his expertise in mechanical circulatory support and mentorship in surgical education, shaping the next generation of cardiovascular surgeons. He was recently selected as STS Canadian Director for 2026–2029.
- MD and Cardiac Surgery Residency, University of Toronto
- PhD, Surgical Scientist Training Program (1994–1997), University of Toronto (Supervisor: Dr. Richard Weisel)
- Fellowship in Cardiac Transplantation and Mechanical Circulatory Support, Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital, New York
- Advanced heart failure and mechanical circulatory support
- Cardiac transplantation
- Complex adult cardiac surgery
- Leadership of operating room and fellowship training programs in cardiovascular surgery