Learn More About Me
Specialties: Cardiac 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
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- Choice POS
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- TRICARE East Select
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- IH-EPO Plus
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Network OA
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- First Health PPO
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- POS OA
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- IH-PPO
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Blue Choice Advantage
- Optimum Choice
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- United Student Resources
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- IH-Open POS II
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- IH-Open HMO
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- United Healthcare Choice
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- Aetna VA Exchange
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- IH-POS Plus
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- Medicare FFS
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- CareFirst NASCO
- Choice Fund PPO
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- IH-Open HMO Option
- CareFirst Administrators
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- HumanaChoice PPO
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- IH-Indemnity
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- IH-POS
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- Choice POS II Open Access
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- OA Plus
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- HighMark
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- CareFirst EPO
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- CIGNA PPO
- TRICARE East Prime
- UHC Passport
- HealthyBlue PPO
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Core Essential (HMO)
- IH-HMO
- First Health PPO
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- Beech Street PPO
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- Medicare Direct
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- Aetna Basic
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Employee Health Plan
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Aetna HMO
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Police and Fire Clinic
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- CIGNA EPO
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Sentara Health
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- Choice POS II
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Navigate
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- IH-Open POS Plus
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- TRICARE for Life East
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
Videos
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Surgery, General Surgery
Board Certification: American Board of Thoracic Surgery, Thoracic Surgery
Residency: Massachusetts General Hospital (1997)
Residency: Massachusetts General Hospital (1995)
Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine (1988)
Awards
- Washingtonian Top Doc 2025