Masaki Funamoto, M.D., Ph.D.

Masaki Funamoto, M.D., Ph.D., is a cardiac surgeon specializing in advanced heart and lung failure, with extensive experience in heart and lung transplantation and mechanical circulatory support. He is particularly dedicated to caring for critically ill patients who may not have been considered candidates for traditional therapies. He also performs a full range of cardiac surgeries, including coronary artery bypass, valve repair or replacement, and aortic procedures, with particular expertise in complex, multiple redo, and high-risk cases.

Throughout his career, Dr. Funamoto has been at the forefront of innovation in transplant and mechanical support surgery. While on faculty at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, he helped expand the use of cutting-edge organ preservation technology, enabling the safe use of donor hearts and lungs from extended criteria and donation after circulatory death (DCD). He also played a key role in developing standardized ECMO care pathways, improving outcomes for patients requiring life-saving support, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Funamoto later assumed a leadership role at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, where he served as Surgical Director of Heart Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support. There, he led the growth of a comprehensive advanced heart failure program, including performing the first DCD heart transplant in Texas and launching a new lung transplant program. Under his leadership, the program achieved significant growth and outstanding outcomes, including one of the best post-heart transplant survival rates in the state. He also helped build one of the largest ECMO programs in the region and expanded access to advanced therapies for high-risk patients.

In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Funamoto is actively involved in clinical research and innovation. He has served as a principal investigator and collaborator in multiple national and international trials focused on heart and lung preservation, mechanical support, and transplant outcomes. His work has contributed to advancing the field and improving care for patients with severe cardiac and pulmonary disease.

Dr. Funamoto’s goal is to provide highly specialized, innovative, and individualized care to each patient and family, helping them navigate complex conditions with clarity, trust, and hope.