Biographical summary
Christina E. Saikus, M.D., Ph.D., is a cardiothoracic and transplant surgeon at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, specializing in advanced heart failure surgery, heart and lung transplantation, mechanical circulatory support, and complex adult cardiac surgery.
Her clinical practice focuses on caring for patients with advanced heart failure, end-stage cardiac and cardiopulmonary disease, and complex cardiovascular conditions. She specializes in therapies including heart transplantation, ventricular assist devices (LVADs), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and other forms of temporary and durable mechanical circulatory support.
Dr. Saikus' research focuses on improving therapies and outcomes for patients with advanced heart failure and complex cardiovascular disease. Her areas of research interest include mechanical circulatory support, ECMO, heart and lung transplantation, and innovative cardiovascular technologies. Her work integrates surgical care, biomedical engineering and clinical research to advance treatment strategies for patients requiring complex cardiac therapies.
"One of the most rewarding aspects of my practice is helping patients with advanced heart and lung failure through therapies such as transplantation, LVADs, and ECMO," says Dr. Saikus. "These interventions not only save lives, but they can help patients recover, regain independence, and return home to their families and communities."
Dr. Saikus completed her medical degree and doctorate in biomedical engineering through the joint program at Emory University School of Medicine and the Georgia Institute of Technology. She completed integrated cardiothoracic surgery residency training at Emory University and pursued advanced fellowship training in cardiac and thoracic transplantation and mechanical support at Duke University School of Medicine. She also received additional advanced adult cardiac surgery training at Cleveland Clinic.
Outside of medicine, she enjoys a variety of sports and spending time outdoors and with family.
Conditions treated
Procedures performed
Mayo Clinic locations
Education
- 2022
Undergraduate Research Fellow - Chemical EngineeringStanford University
- 2021
Clinical Associate - Cardiac Surgery, Advanced Training in Adult Cardiac SurgeryCleveland Clinic Foundation
- 2019
Fellowship - Advanced Cardiac and Thoracic Transplantation and Mechanical SupportDuke University School of Medicine
- 2018
Administrative Chief ResidentCardiothoracic Surgery Residency, Emory University
- 2017
Resident - Thoracic Surgery Integrated ProgramSchool of Medicine, Emory University
- 2012
MD/PhD - Biomedical EngineeringWallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology
- 2007
Graduate Research Assistant - Concentration should be MRI and Cardiac Functional StudiesGeorgia Institute of Technology
- 2005
BS - Chemical EngineeringStanford University
- 2003
Summer Intern - Pharmaceutical Development - Novel Granulation ProcessEngineering and Technology, Merck & Co., Inc.
- 2000
Research Assistant - BioMEMS (Microelectromechanical Systems) Research Laboratory Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Activities and honors
Certifications
- 2019
Thoracic and Cardiac SurgeryAmerican Board of Thoracic Surgery
Awards and honors
- 2020
Carlson/Mouly Award for Outstanding Clinical AssociateDepartment of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Cleveland Clinic
- 2017
Surgeon Section Travel Award American College of Cardiology
- 2015
Service Excellence AwardPortneuf Medical Center
- 2014
Women in Thoracic Surgery Scholarship Award2014 Meeting, American Association for Thoracic Surgery
- 2011
MembershipAlpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
- 2010
Educational Stipend Award Recipient2010 Scientific Session, International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
- 2009
Educational Stipend Award Recipient2009 Scientific Session, International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
- 2008
New Entrant Stipend Award Recipient2008 Scientific Session, International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
- 2007
Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) Pre-Doctoral FellowNational Institutes of Health
- 2004
Academic Excellence AwardDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University
- 2004
Donald Kennedy AwardAthletic Board, Stanford University
- 2003
Engineering and Technology Fellowship (Scholarship and Internship) Merck
- 2002
Association Scholarship Award82nd Airborne Division, United States Army
- 2002
Undergraduate Research Experience FellowshipCenter on Polymer Interfaces and Macromolecular Assembly
- 2000
Scholar-Athlete Stanford University
Professional memberships
- 2022 - present
MemberInternational Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation
- 2016 - 2018
Fellow in TrainingSurgeons’ Section Leadership Council, American College of Cardiology
- 2013 - 2014
MemberIntegrated and Education Committees, Thoracic Surgery Residents Association, University of North Carolina School of Medicine
- 2013 - 2015
Resident RepresentativeSurgery Resident Information Technology Committee, Emory University
- 2008 - 2009
MemberOffice of Intramural Training and Education Trainee Advisory Committee, Graduate Student Council, National Institutes of Health
- 2008 - 2009
Website CoordinatorNational Institute of Health
- 2006 - 2007
PresidentMD/PhD Student Association, Emory University
- 2005 - 2007
Board Member-at-LargeSoutheastern Women’s Lacrosse League
- 2005 - 2006
Co-DirectorTranscript Service, Emory University School of Medicine
- 2005 - 2006
TreasurerMD/PhD Student Association, Emory University
Publications