Robert S.D. Higgins, MD

Robert S. D. Higgins, MD, is chair of the Department of Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery at Rush University Medical Center. A highly regarded transplant surgeon, Dr. Higgins earned his medical degree at Yale University School of Medicine. He completed his residency in general surgery at Hospitals of the University Health Center in Pittsburgh, where he served as chief resident. He completed his training at Yale University School of Medicine, where he was a Winchester Scholar and fellow in cardiothoracic surgery.

Prior to joining the medical staff at Rush, Dr. Higgins held clinical and teaching positions at Henry Ford Hospital, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Case Western Reserve University and the Medical College of Virginia, where he was chairman of the cardiothoracic surgery. From 1989 to 2004, he served as a major in the United States Army Reserve Medical Corps.

His many national leadership appointments include serving as president of the United Network for Organ Sharing, as president of the Society of Black Academic Surgeons, as a member of the Thoracic Committee of the American Society of Transplant Surgeons and as a member of the Public Policy Committee of the American Society of Transplant Surgeons.

His clinical interests include transplantation and mechanical circulatory support, minimally invasive cardiac surgery, and outcome assessment for heart failure and cardiac surgery patients. He has an extensive list of publications in his field, and has presented widely nationally and abroad.