Meet Our Team
The Montefiore-Einstein Heart Center's position as a leader in cardiothoracic surgery is nationally recognized: today's students compete for residency positions. Patients can take comfort knowing that the heart experts of tomorrow are learning from the Montefiore-Einstein surgeons today. Learn more about this internationally renowned team. Each doctor's profile is linked below.
Robert E. Michler, MD
Surgeon-in-Chief
Samuel I. Belkin Chair
Professor and Chairman, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Professor and Chairman, Department of Surgery
Co-Director, Montefiore-Einstein Heart Center
Dr. Michler and his cardiothoracic surgery team are advancing the use of minimally invasive cardiothoracic surgery procedures including coronary bypass, aortic and mitral valve repair procedures, autologous myoblast and stem cell injection therapy for heart failure, and surgical robotics. The work of his team led to FDA approval for selective cardiac robotic procedures including mitral valve repair and coronary bypass surgery. View Dr. Michler's full profile.
Daniel Goldstein, MD
Associate Professor and Vice Chairman,
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Director, Cardiac Transplantation and Mechanical Assistance Programs
Co-Director, Center for Advanced Cardiac Therapy
Dr. Goldstein's research interests lie in the understanding of left ventricular recovery following institution of mechanical support in patients with advanced heart failure. He is also actively involved in the evaluation of new ventricular assist device technologies, both in the laboratory and in pivotal clinical trials. He is a lead investigator in NIH-supported studies evaluating the interactions between the body and mechanical circulatory support devices. View Dr. Goldstein's full profile.
Lari A. Attai, MD
Professor of Surgery, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery,
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Attending Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Dr. Attai is an attending surgeon in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery and is Professor of Surgery at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He was the first resident to graduate from the training program in June 1965 and has been on the faculty for over 40 years. Dr. Attai has been involved in the training of approximately 80 graduates of the Montefiore Medical Center and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine Thoracic Surgery Residency Program. He served as chief of the Thoracic Surgery Service at Montefiore from 1972 until 1980.
Ricardo A. Bello, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor, Cardiothoracic Surgery,
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Dr. Bello is a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon and a skilled researcher. He is experienced in all aspects of adult cardiac surgery, with emphasis on coronary artery bypass surgery, cardiac transplantation, minimally invasive valve repair, and surgery to repair aortic aneurysms. His research focuses primarily on understanding the mechanisms of heart failure and devising innovative surgical treatments, including the use of stem cells to repair damaged heart muscle. Dr. Bello also studies clinical outcomes in cardiac surgery with the goal of providing the best therapies for each individual patient. View Dr. Bello's full profile.
David A. D'Alessandro, MD
Assistant Professor, Cardiothoracic Surgery,
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Attending Surgeon, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Dr. D'Alessandro is a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon with particular interest in heart transplantation and mechanical support for patients with advanced heart failure. His research focuses on evaluating ventricular assist devices and developing methods for improving clinical outcomes in cardiac surgery. View Dr. D'Alessandro's full profile.
Joseph J. DeRose, MD
Associate Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery,
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Chief, Adult Cardiac Surgery, Weiler Division
Director, Minimally Invasive and Robotic Cardiac Surgery
Dr. DeRose has a particular research and clinical interest in robotic cardiothoracic surgery. He was involved in the first robotic biventricular pacemaker, thymectomy and atrial spetal defect repair in the world. His clinical practice is devoted to minimally invasive and alternative approaches to complex cardiovascular disease. His research interests include ventricular mapping for biventricular pacemaker insertion, robotic coronary artery bypass grafting, the use of bilateral internal thoracic arteries, and thoracoscopic mitral valve surgery. View Dr. Derose's full profile.
Steven M. Keller, MD
Associate Professor, Cardiothoracic Surgery,
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Chief, Division of Thoracic Surgery
Dr. Keller is a highly qualified board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon with extensive experience in thoracic oncology. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American College of Chest Physicians and has served on several national committees for the National Cancer Institute, the National Institutes of Health, and the College of Chest Physicians. At an administrative level, Dr. Keller is involved in ensuring that patients at Montefiore Medical Center receive the best of care. He maintains an active clinical and research interest in adjuvant therapy for lung cancer and treatment for hyperhidrosis. View Dr. Keller's full profile.
Samuel Weinstein, MD
Associate Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery,
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Director, Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery,
Director, Adult Congenital Cardiac Surgery
Dr. Weinstein's clinical areas of focus are congenital heart surgery, adult congenital heart repair and aortic surgery for Marfans disease. In addition, Dr. Weinstein has a large experience with patients requiring Fontan revision for arrhythmias. He takes annual trips to Latin America with Heart Care International, of which he is an active board member. He oversees the Gift of Life/Rachel Cooper Program at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore, which helps to treat children from less advantaged countries with congenital heart disease in the United States. View Dr. Weinstein's full profile.
