Arturo J. Cardounel, MD,PhD

Arturo J. “AJ” Cardounel, MD, PhD, is a board-certified cardiac surgeon who cares for patients with complex heart conditions, including heart failure and structural heart disease. He combines advanced surgical techniques with a strong focus on research to bring the latest treatments to his patients.

Before joining Mary Washington Healthcare, Dr. Cardounel served as an assistant professor of surgery in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Virginia Commonwealth University and as a staff surgeon at the McGuire Veterans Affairs Hospital in Richmond.

Dr. Cardounel completed his medical degree at The Ohio State University College of Medicine and earned a doctoral degree in physiology and biophysics from Virginia Commonwealth University. He went on to complete a six-year cardiothoracic surgery residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, where he received advanced training in heart failure therapies and structural heart procedures.

He is board certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery and is licensed to practice in Virginia. Dr. Cardounel has contributed to national research efforts through work with the American Heart Association and the National Institutes of Health.

Dr. Cardounel is committed to providing thoughtful, patient-centered care. He believes in partnering with patients and their families, helping them understand their condition and treatment options so they can make informed decisions about their heart health.