Learn More About Me
Specialties: Thoracic Surgery, Cardiac Surgery, General Surgery
Languages: English
202-877-3503
About me
Thomas MacGillivray, MD, is Physician Executive Director of Cardiac Surgery at MedStar Health and Chairman of Cardiac Surgery at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Prior to joining MedStar Health, Dr. MacGillivray served as the Jimmy F. Howell, MD, Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Surgery, Chief of the Division of Cardiac Surgery and Thoracic Transplant Surgery, and Associate Medical Director of the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at Houston Methodist Hospital.
As a board-certified surgeon and thoracic surgeon with more than 30 years of experience in the field, Dr. MacGillivray is highly-skilled in both traditional open and minimally-invasive methods. While he performs conventional coronary artery bypass operations, valve repairs, and valve replacements, Dr. MacGillivray’s expertise stretches into more specialized procedures, including thoracic aortic repair and replacement, maze procedures, septal myectomies, and cardiac tumor procedures. He also has extensive experience in treating adult congenital heart disease.
Dr. MacGillivray is passionate about performing surgery — his dedication to clinical outcomes and seeing his patients through the entire care journey is evident in his love of caring for patients in the ICU and in the nursing units.
Dr. MacGillivray’s clinical interests include diseases of the aorta, including the aortic root, aortic arch, and thoracoabdominal aorta. He is a nationally recognized leader in the surgical treatment of patients with adult congenital heart disease, heart failure, and pulmonary embolism.
In addition to direct patient care, he also has a specific interest in quality improvement processes in cardiac disease, which involves database and outcome research. Dr. MacGillivray has published numerous peer-reviewed articles on aortic diseases, adult congenital heart disease, mechanical circulatory support, and cardiac tumors.
Dr. MacGillivray earned his medical degree at Tufts University School of Medicine before completing a general surgery internship and residency at Massachusetts General Hospital. He completed a two-year research fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco before returning to Massachusetts General Hospital for a specialty fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery, where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. MacGillivray did additional training in congenital heart surgery as the Chief Resident at Boston Children’s Hospital.
Before joining MedStar Heart and Vascular Institute, Dr. MacGillivray spent 19 years as a practicing cardiothoracic surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital and Associate Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School, followed by five and a half years at Houston Methodist Hospital as the Jimmy F. Howell, M.D. Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Surgery.
Dedicated to the advancement of the field of cardiothoracic surgery, Dr. MacGillivray was the 59th President of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. He is former President of the Northeast Cardiothoracic Surgery Society, is currently a member of the Thoracic Surgery Foundation Board of Directors, and holds a seat on the Editorial Board of the Annals of Thoracic Surgery. He has been involved in writing a number of clinical practice guidelines. He was the Writing Committee Chairman for the STS/AATS Clinical Practice Guidelines on Type B Aortic Dissection, and served on the writing group for the American Heart Association guidelines for the surgical treatment for pulmonary embolism. Some of his many acknowledgments have included multiple Partners in Excellence Team Awards by Massachusetts General Hospital and recognitions by Marquis Who’s Who In America and Best Doctors.
Dr. MacGillivray is excited to offer his expertise in various cardiac surgical subspecialties (complex aortic surgery) to the adept team at MedStar Heart and Vascular Institute and is honored to get to work in this nationally recognized heart program.
Philosophy of care
Clinical areas of focus
- Aortic Valve Repair
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
- Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery
- Reoperation, Coronary Artery Bypass
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Acute Bacterial Endocarditis
- Aneurysm Of Ascending Aorta
- Aneurysm Of Descending Aorta
- Aortic Aneurysm
- Aortic Arch Aneurysm
- Aortic Valve Regurgitation
- Aortic Valve Replacement
- Atrial Septal Defect
- Cardiac Prosthetic Device Complications
- Cardiac Tamponade
- Complications Of Cardiac Surgery
- Complications Of Procedures
- Coronary Artery Blockage
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
- Heart Bypass Surgery
- Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
- Marfan Syndrome
- Mitral Valve Prolapse
- Mitral Valve Stenosis
- Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
- Rheumatic Tricuspid Valve Disease
- Thoracoabdominal Aneurysm
- Tricuspid Stenosis
- Ventricular Septal Defect
Procedures I perform
- Ablation For Atrial Fibrillation
- Aortic Root Replacement
- Aortic Rupture Treatment
- Aortic Valve Repair
- Aortic Valve Supplement
- Atrial Septal Defect Repair
- Atrial Septum Supplement
- Bilateral Cardiac Sampling And Pressure
- Cardiac Myxoma Excision
- Cardiac Ultrasound
- Cardiopulmonary Bypass
- Cardioversion
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
- Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
- Destruction Of Left Atrial Appendage
- Excision Of Left Atrium
- Excision Of Pericardium
- Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
- Heart Therapeutic Injection
- Heart Transplant
- Heart Transplantation
- Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump
- Intraaortic Balloon Pump Placement
- Maze Procedure For Atrial Fibrillation
- Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery
- Mitral Balloon Valvuloplasty
- Occlusion Of Left Atrial Appendage
- Pericardial Cavity Drainage
- Pulmonary Valve Replacement
- Reoperation, Coronary Artery Bypass
- Repair Tricuspid Valve
- Subclavian Artery Extirpation
- Thoracic Aneurysm Repair
- Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair
- Tricuspid Valve Repair
- Tricuspid Valve Supplement With Synthetic Substitute
- Valvuloplasty
- Ventricular Restoration
Insurance
MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.
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List of insurance plans we accept
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Blue Choice Advantage
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- Aetna HMO
- CIGNA PPO
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- First Health PPO
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- IH-Open POS II
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- TRICARE East Prime
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Optimum Choice
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- IH-HMO
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Navigate
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- United Student Resources
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- TRICARE East Select
- First Health PPO
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- Choice POS II
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- Choice POS II Open Access
- CareFirst Administrators
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- UHC Passport
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Tricare Reserve Select
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- HighMark
- Sentara Health
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- TRICARE for Life East
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- IH-Open HMO Option
- IH-Open POS Plus
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- MultiPlan, Inc
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Choice POS
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- HumanaChoice PPO
- POS OA
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Aetna Basic
- Aetna Classic 3500
- IH-EPO Plus
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- IH-Open HMO
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Choice Fund PPO
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- CareFirst NASCO
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- CIGNA Indemnity
- IH-POS Plus
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- United Healthcare Choice
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- IH-PPO
- Beech Street PPO
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- Aetna VA Exchange
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- CareFirst EPO
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Core Essential (HMO)
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Employee Health Plan
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- CIGNA EPO
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- IH-Indemnity
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- OA Plus
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- Medicare FFS
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- IH-POS
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Network OA
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Medicare Direct
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
Videos
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Surgery, General Surgery
Board Certification: American Board of Thoracic Surgery, Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery
Residency: Massachusetts General Hospital (1997)
Residency: Massachusetts General Hospital (1995)
Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine (1988)
Awards
- Washingtonian Top Doc 2025