Acclaimed surgeon is new chief of vascular surgery

Timur P. Sarac, M.D., an acclaimed surgeon and national leader in vascular surgery, has joined the School of Medicine as professor of surgery and chief of the Section of Vascular Surgery. He also serves as director of the residency program and co-surgical director of the Heart and Vascular Center at Yale-New Haven Hospital (YNHH).

Sarac, whose appointment began April 1, comes to Yale from the Cleveland Clinic. He succeeds Bauer E. Sumpio, M.D., Ph.D., professor of surgery and diagnostic radiology, a renowned vascular surgeon who has led the Section of Vascular Surgery since 1995.

“Dr. Sarac is not only a spectacular surgeon, but also an international leader in vascular surgery,” said Robert Udelsman, M.D., M.B.A., chair and William H. Carmalt Professor of Surgery and surgeon-in-chief at YNHH.

Sarac’s areas of specialization include endovascular surgery for aortic aneurysms, lower extremity occlusive disease, carotid stenting, and mesenteric ischemia. He is experienced in open re-operative vascular surgery, and holds more than 20 national and international patents for the development of novel stent technology. He was awarded a U.S. Army commendation medal for his innovative approach with military endovascular disease.

Sarac earned his M.D. at the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. He completed his residency and a fellowship in general surgery at the University of Rochester Medical Center, and a fellowship in vascular surgery at the University of Florida’s College of Medicine.