AATS Partners with Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) to Advance Cardiothoracic Surgery in ASEAN

KUALA LUMPUR, 12 May 2025 – The American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) is proud to announce its continued collaboration with Institut Jantung Negara (IJN), Malaysia’s leading heart centre, through the AATS Cardiothoracic Surgery Workshop held from 11 to 13 May 2025 in Kuala Lumpur.

 

As part of AATS’s mission to promote global excellence in cardiothoracic surgery, IJN was selected as one of the few hospitals in Asia to host this prestigious knowledge exchange. The decision was based on IJN’s internationally recognized clinical accreditation, comprehensive training programmes, and its long-standing commitment to innovation in cardiovascular care.

 

“IJN represents the gold standard of heart and thoracic care in Southeast Asia. The level of clinical expertise, institutional commitment to training, and strong leadership make it an ideal partner for this regional collaboration,” said Dr. Joseph Woo, Chair of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Stanford University and AATS faculty lead. “Our goal is to share knowledge, build capacity, and foster sustainable surgical excellence across ASEAN—and IJN provides the perfect platform to do so.”

 

This year’s programme featured both adult and paediatric surgical tracks. A total of four live surgical cases were successfully performed—three adult cases and one paediatric case—offering valuable hands-on learning and discussion with world-renowned experts. The adult sessions were led by Dato’ Dr. Mohd Nazeri Nordin, Head of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery at IJN, while the paediatric case was overseen by Mr. Siva Kumar, Senior Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon.

 

The workshop also featured lectures and technical demonstrations by leading AATS faculty:

• Dr. Marc Moon, Past President of AATS, USA
• Dr. Joseph Woo, Stanford University, USA
• Dr. Emile Bacha, Columbia University, USA
• Dr. Clifford Barlow, University Hospital Southampton, UK
• Dr. Puja Kachroo, University of Virginia, USA

 

In collaboration with the AATS Foundation, 20 cardiothoracic doctors from ASEAN countries—including Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Cambodia—were awarded grants to attend the workshop. This reflects the shared goal of building stronger regional healthcare networks and enhancing surgical standards across Southeast Asia.   “This collaboration is a testament to IJN’s standing as a centre of excellence not only in Malaysia but throughout the region,” said Prof. Dato’ Sri Dr. Mohamed Ezani Md Taib, Chief Executive Officer of IJN. “As we continue our journey with AATS, we are proud to position IJN as a regional hub for cardiothoracic training and care for ASEAN. It reflects our role in shaping the future of heart surgery, not just for Malaysians, but for the broader Southeast Asian community.”

 

“This workshop provided our adult surgical team with the opportunity to showcase advanced techniques in real cases—including valve repair and complex coronary procedures—while facilitating direct peer-to-peer exchange with AATS faculty,” said Dato’ Dr. Mohd Nazeri Nordin.

 

“We were honoured to host a paediatric case during this workshop, focusing on congenital heart repair,” added Mr. Siva Kumar, Senior Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon. “It’s through collaborations like this that we continue to improve outcomes for children with heart conditions across the region.”

 

With a collaboration spanning more than a decade since 2012, IJN and AATS remain committed to nurturing surgical leadership, advancing patient care, and strengthening healthcare capacity throughout the ASEAN region.

 

 

ABOUT INSTITUT JANTUNG NEGARA

Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) has been Malaysia’s leading heart specialist center since 1992, providing advanced care for a full range of heart, lung, and vascular diseases in both adults and children. As the nation’s premier tertiary referral center, IJN manages complex cases with unmatched expertise, performing over 4,400 cardiothoracic surgeries and 17,000 cardiac catheterization procedures annually. It is also a lifeline for children, conducting over 1,500 pediatric heart surgeries and serving more than 15,000 pediatric patients each year. Recognized as a finalist in the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council’s Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital Programme, IJN attracts international patients seeking world-class treatments. Beyond clinical care, IJN contributes to medical research, outreach, and education, reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of Malaysia’s healthcare system.

 

For media enquiries, please contact:

 

 

View Full Media Release Document

Download PDF