Zain Khalpey

Zain Khalpey is an American cardiothoracic surgeon, medical innovator, and professor known for his pioneering work in robotic cardiac surgery, artificial intelligence in medicine, and organ regeneration. He currently serves as the Director of Robotic Cardiac Surgery and Director of Artificial Heart, Mechanical Circulatory Support, and Extracorporeal Life Support at HonorHealth in Scottsdale, Arizona. Khalpey has made significant contributions to the fields of cardiothoracic surgery, xenotransplantation, and regenerative medicine through his research, innovations, and clinical work.
==Early Life and Education==
Zain Khalpey was born in Zimbabwe. He received his B.Sc. (Hons) in Pathology from the University of London, graduating summa cum laude in 1995. In 1998, he earned his M.B., B.S. (Hons) from the University of London, where he was the valedictorian of his class. Khalpey completed his Ph.D. in Cardiothoracic Surgery, Bioenergetics, and Cardiac Transplantation at Imperial College London in 2012. His doctoral research was conducted in collaboration with the University of Gdansk, Mayo Clinic, and Harvard University.
==Medical Training==
Khalpey underwent clinical training and residencies in the United Kingdom from 1998 to 2003. He completed an integrated residency in General & Cardiothoracic Surgery at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School from 2005 to 2012. In 2012, Khalpey pursued an Advanced Heart Failure & Mechanical Circulatory Support Fellowship at Columbia University.
==Academic Appointments==
From 2012 to the present, Khalpey has been an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Surgery at Columbia University. Between 2013 and 2018, he was an Associate Professor of Surgery and other departments at Banner University Medical Center. Currently, Khalpey serves as the Director of Robotic Cardiac Surgery and Director of Artificial Heart, Mechanical Circulatory Support, and Extracorporeal Life Support at HonorHealth in Scottsdale, Arizona. He is also an Adjunct Professor at the School of Computing & Augmented Intelligence at Arizona State University starting from June 2024.
In June 2024, Khalpey also took on roles as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Surgery at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and as an Assistant Attending Surgeon at NY Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia Campus, within the Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiac, Thoracic & Vascular Surgery.
==Clinical Work and Innovations==
Khalpey is known for his pioneering work in robotic cardiac surgery and the application of artificial intelligence in medicine. He has served as the director of various cardiothoracic surgery programs and has performed innovative procedures such as the first North American 50cc Total Artificial Heart implant.
==Contributions to AI-Driven Healthcare==
Introducing the trailblazing Dr. Zain Khalpey, a globally renowned thought leader in the field of AI-driven healthcare. Since 2012, Dr. Khalpey has been transforming lives in the Arizona community with his cutting-edge expertise in artificial intelligence, regenerative medicine, and precision medicine techniques, leaving an indelible impact on heart patients throughout the region. Dr. Khalpey's unwavering passion for revolutionizing cardiac care is evident in his keen interest in sudden cardiac death, robotic mitral valve repair, total artificial hearts, and the implementation of short and long-term devices for shock and heart failure patients.
A testament to his commitment, Dr. Khalpey's groundbreaking research on coronary artery bypass patients has led to innovative regenerative approaches that can remodel scar tissue in the heart, potentially delaying or even eliminating the need for heart transplantation. As Honor Health eagerly welcomes Dr. Khalpey to their exceptional team, CEO Todd Laporte expresses his excitement about the quality and caliber of care that Dr. Khalpey will bring to their patients.
Dr. Khalpey's impressive academic journey began at Guy's, Kings & St Thomas Hospital, London School of Medicine, followed by a residency and fellowship at the prestigious Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School in Boston. His relentless pursuit of knowledge led him to a super-fellowship in mechanical circulatory support devices for advanced heart failure at Columbia University's New York Presbyterian Hospital. Dr. Khalpey's academic excellence culminated in a PhD in Cardiothoracic Surgery, Bioenergetics, and Cardiac Transplantation through Imperial College UK in London, with research conducted at multiple esteemed institutions worldwide.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Dr. Khalpey received the Distinguished Fulbright Chair in Medical Sciences in 2016, one of the most prestigious appointments in the Fulbright Scholar Program. Furthermore, in 2020, he was awarded the esteemed Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Grant for his groundbreaking work on using artificial intelligence to predict silent hypoxia in COVID-19 patients.
As the Medical Director for the Total Artificial Heart, Mechanical Circulatory Support, and Extracorporeal Life Support (ECMO) program, Dr. Khalpey brings his pioneering Artificial Intelligence Lab to Honor Health. His lab focuses on predictive analytics in cardiovascular medicine, addressing critical issues such as atrial fibrillation, sudden cardiac death, cardiac frailty, and heart failure. As the Honor Health Network Director for Artificial Intelligence, Dr. Khalpey will continue to shape the future of healthcare.
Dr. Khalpey's patient-centric approach is what truly sets him apart. He believes in forging an emotional connection with each patient and their family, understanding that heart surgery transcends science and requires a personal touch. Outside of his life-changing work, Dr. Khalpey cherishes quality time with his physicist wife and four children and enjoys unwinding on the tennis court.
==Research and Publications==
Khalpey has made significant contributions to the fields of cardiothoracic surgery, xenotransplantation, and regenerative medicine through his extensive research. He has published over 150 original research articles in peer-reviewed journals, accumulating more than 6,200 citations. His h-index is 34. Khalpey has also filed several patents related to ventricular assist devices and other medical innovations.
==Professional Memberships and Service==
Khalpey is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the European Board of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons. He has served on committees for organizations such as the American Heart Association, UNOS, and the International Society for Mechanical Circulatory Support.
==Humanitarianism==
Zain Khalpey is actively involved in humanitarian efforts, particularly in the field of organ harvesting and trafficking. He works with Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting (DAFOH), an organization dedicated to providing the medical community and society with objective findings on unethical and illegal organ harvesting practices. DAFOH has been nominated for the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize, an acknowledgment of their impactful work.
Additionally, Khalpey collaborates with Organ Watch, an organization investigating organ trafficking in the US. He has presented research on organ trafficking involving Syrian refugees to the American College of Surgeons and participated in a documentary screened at the Cannes Film Festival in 2020.
Khalpey has also been a long-time supporter of Chain of Hope, a non-profit organization that provides life-saving heart treatments to children in developing and war-torn countries. Working with Chain of Hope's founder, Sir Magdi Yacoub, Khalpey has helped establish children's hospitals in Maputo, Mozambique. Forty years ago, Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub conducted the UK's first combined heart and lung transplant at Harefield Hospital. He has been a mentor to Khalpey, significantly influencing his career and achievements.
==Published Abstracts and Presentations (Regional, National, International)==
Khalpey has presented his research at numerous regional, national, and international conferences. A selection of his presentations can be found in the references section.
==Books (Monographs, Manuals, and Textbooks)==
The AI Prescription – Transformative Algorithms in Healthcare (2024, under revision)
Cardiac Surgery in the Adult: Pocket Companion for the Boards (2011)
BWH Cardiac Surgery Manual (2007)
BWH Burns Manual (2006)
Pastest: Passing the MRCS VIVA II (2005)
==Theses==
==Filed Patents==
Khalpey Z, Kushwaha S (co-inventor): Ventricular Assist Device and Method. U.S. Patent Application No: 15/121,708. National Phase of PCT/US15/17499. Our Ref.: 31960/48269A
Khalpey Z, Kushwaha S (co-inventor): Ventricular Assist Device and Method. European Patent Application No. 15755879.2. National Phase of PCT/US15/17499. Our Ref.: 31960/48269/EP
Khalpey Z, Kushwaha S (co-inventor): Ventricular Assist Device and Method. Hong Kong Patent Application No. 17106678.7. National Phase of PCT/US15/17499. Our Ref.: 31960/48269/HK
Khalpey Z: Method for Treating Cardiac Conditions with Placental-Derived Products. US patent EFS ID 40245199
==Filed Provisional Patents==
==Press Releases==
New Robotics Heart Surgery Program Expedites Patient Recovery. KVOA Tucson News (September 2020). Link
Podcast #003 AI in the OR. Data Robot AI Podcast (August 2020). Link
==UK Honours Award Nomination==
In 2023, Dr. Zain Khalpey was nominated for the UK Honours Award by Professor Marvin Slepian for his services to medicine and surgery. The nomination highlights Khalpey's innovative techniques in heart surgery, including the use of robotics, laser technology, mini heart pumps, artificial hearts, and amniotic membrane therapy. His work in applying artificial intelligence to improve medical outcomes was also recognized. Khalpey's nomination is a testament to his international reputation and significant contributions to the field of cardiothoracic surgery.
Category:American cardiac surgeons
Category:Medical technology
Category:People of Zimbabwean descent
Category:American people