Science
World Renowned Surgeon Marks 100th Robotic Heart Surgery at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute
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Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute
In a significant achievement for cardiac care in Florida, a world-renowned surgeon has successfully completed his 100th robotic cardiac surgery at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute. This milestone, reached just months after the program's launch in January 2025, reaffirms and expands the Institute’s role as a leader in minimally invasive heart procedures, with the most robotic cardiac surgeries in the state of Florida.
Makoto Hashimoto, M.D., cardiac surgeon at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, and director of robotic cardiac surgery at Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, was recruited from Japan to establish and direct this advanced program, expanding the Institute’s global talent to serve the local community.
His accomplishment signals a new era for heart surgery in the region, offering patients safer and more precise treatment options.
"In January of this year, we launched the robotic cardiac surgery program at Baptist Health, and we have now reached 100 cases," Dr. Hashimoto explained. "This number objectively demonstrates that our hospital performs the highest volume of robotic cardiac surgeries in the state of Florida."
A Milestone for Florida and Beyond
This achievement is not just about the 100th surgery — it's about building a foundation of excellence and trust locally, statewide and beyond, according to Tom C. Nguyen, M.D., FACS, FACC, chief medical executive and Barry T. Katzen Endowed Chair at the Institute, where he is also the director of Minimally Invasive Valve Surgery.
"I would say this is a huge milestone,” said Dr. Nguyen. “We’re the largest robotic program in Florida, and the program will be an important backbone for our future strategic plan of becoming world class. I would highlight that we’ve done a lot and the best is yet to come. "
For Dr. Hashimoto, this achievement is deeply personal and affirms the team's direction. "Reaching this milestone of 100 cases has strengthened our confidence that our program will continue to lead this field in Florida," he said.
Dr. Hashimoto's experience is extensive. This is the second time he has built a leading robotic cardiac surgery program from the ground up, having previously done so in Japan. The rapid success at the Institute underscores the powerful combination of his skill and the dedicated team at the Institute.
The Team Behind the Technology
Robotic surgery requires a highly coordinated team of surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists, and technicians. Robotic surgery requires a highly coordinated team of surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists, and technicians. This is a highly specialized field, and cardiac robotic procedures are still the minority in the U.S. Although Dr. Hashimoto is leading the way in South Florida, he is quick to credit the collective effort of his team that makes each procedure a success.
"Robotic surgery is not something that can be accomplished by one surgeon alone—it is a team-based approach that brings together collective expertise to provide the best, most minimally invasive treatment for each individual patient," Dr. Hashimoto explains. "I am truly proud to be working with the outstanding team at Baptist and to be part of this evolving field."
This collaborative approach ensures that every aspect of patient care is meticulously managed, from pre-operative planning to post-operative recovery. The synergy between Dr. Hashimoto's experience and the Institute's skilled team has been a key driver of the program's excellent outcomes.
Gynecologic oncologist John P. Diaz, M.D., is medical director of Robotic Surgery and chair of the Robotics and Innovations in Surgery Subcommittee at Baptist Health South Florida. Dr. Diaz also serves as chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine.
How Robotic Cardiac Surgery Works
Robotic-assisted surgery represents a major leap forward from traditional open-heart surgery. Instead of a large incision through the breastbone, the surgeon makes a few small incisions between the ribs. A sophisticated robotic system, with tiny instruments and a high-definition 3D camera, is then inserted.
The surgeon sits at a console, controlling the robotic arms with precision. This technology enhances the surgeon's dexterity, allowing for steadier movements and a greater range of motion than the human hand. The magnified, high-definition view provides unparalleled detail of the heart and surrounding tissues.
The benefits for patients are significant. They typically experience:
- Less pain and scarring
- Hospital stay of only 2 to 3 days after surgery
- Reduced blood loss
- Lower risk of infection
- Shorter hospital stays
- Faster recovery and return to normal activities
Advancements Enabling a New Standard of Care
The growth of robotic cardiac surgery has been propelled by major technological advancements. The current fourth-generation robotic system is a key reason for the procedure's increased safety and precision.
"The most significant advancement is that we are now able to use the fourth-generation robot," Dr. Hashimoto said. "With the technology we use, robotic cardiac surgery can be performed safely and with great precision. As a result, robotic surgery is gaining worldwide attention in the field of cardiac surgery."
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Tom C Nguyen, MD
Dr. Nguyen is an internationally recognized minimally invasive heart surgeon and believes that small incisions make a big difference. He is the System chief executive of Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care and chief medical executive of Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, as well as director of minimally invasive surgery and the Barry T. Katzen Endowed Chair at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute and chair and professor of the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences at Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. In his role as Chief Medical Executive, he leads cardiac surgery, cardiology, vascular surgery, and interventional radiology for the 12-hospital health network.
His outcomes score in the top 98.7% in the national Society of Thoracic Surgeons’ (STS) database. Dr. Nguyen recently came from the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), where he was the chief of cardiothoracic surgery and Charles Schwab Distinguished Professor. During his tenure at UCSF, Dr. Nguyen helped transform cardiothoracic surgery, while establishing benchmark figures in quality, outcomes and research.
Dr. Nguyen graduated from Rice University and then worked in Switzerland at the World Health Organization. Although he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship, he decided to pursue medicine at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He says that there’s much poetry and music written about the heart, but that when he witnessed the panache of a heartbeat, he was hooked; therefore, he has dedicated the past 30 years to becoming the best heart doctor he can be. Dr. Nguyen completed his surgery training at Stanford, where he received the Outstanding ICU award and the Intern of the Year Award. He then completed a fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at Columbia University as well as a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) fellowship at Emory. During this time, he was the President of the Thoracic Surgery Resident’s Association (TSRA).
Thanks to his passion for teaching and mentorship, Dr. Nguyen received the Benjy Brooks Outstanding Clinical Faculty Award, as well as teaching awards from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation and the American College of Surgeons. He has volunteered as a surgeon across the globe and lived in Africa (Asmara, Eritrea) to share experiences with others.
Dr. Nguyen is active in research at a regional, national, and international level. He has published nearly 300 peer-reviewed articles, serves on the editorial boards of four academic journals and is the editor of several textbooks. Before turning 40, he received the Houston Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Award. Dr. Nguyen leads research trials on treatments for valve disease. He has been principal investigator on landmark trials exploring transcatheter technologies. He recently served as president of the 21st Century Cardiothoracic Surgery Society and is a director of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS). He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), the Thoracic Surgery Foundation (TSF), CTSNet, and the International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery (ISMICS).
As an immigrant growing up in America, Dr. Nguyen learned more than English by watching Saturday morning cartoons. He learned about dreams, mentorship, and serendipity. He appreciates that healthcare revolves not around models and formulas, but around people. He also appreciates that his success is not his own, but reflections from countless mentors and fortuitous events. Recognizing his good fortune, he vows to pay it forward. He strives every day to deserve the privilege of practicing medicine and is committed to treating patients like family.
Dr. Nguyen is married to Dr. Gina Landinez, an interventional radiologist, and is the proud dad of two beautiful daughters.
Makoto Hashimoto, MD
Makoto Hashimoto, M.D., is a fellowship-trained cardiac surgeon at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute. He is professor and director of robotic cardiac surgery at Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. He specializes in robotic cardiac surgery and minimally invasive cardiac surgery, including coronary artery revascularization. He treats such conditions as valvular heart disease, ischemic heart disease, cardiac arrhythmia and adult congenital cardiac disease.
Prior to joining Baptist Health, Dr. Hashimoto was director of the Center of Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery and Robotic Cardiac Surgery, part of the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at the Sapporo Cardiovascular Clinic in Japan.
Dr. Hashimoto earned his medical degree at Shimane University School of Medicine in Izumo, Japan and a Ph.D. in Medical Science at Sapporo Medical University in Sapporo, Japan. He completed two cardiac surgery residencies — one at Sapporo Medical University Hospital and the other at Hokkaido Prefectural Kitami Hospital in Kitami, Japan. He also completed two cardiovascular fellowships — one at Tomishiro Central Hospital in Tomigusuku, Japan and the other at Sakakibara Heart Institute in Fuchu, Japan. During his career, he has published numerous scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals.
Dr. Hashimoto is passionate about robotic cardiac surgery because, compared to open-heart surgery, it offers advanced, safe and reliable treatment while also enabling patients to heal faster and return to their normal activities more quickly. “As a cardiac surgeon, I live by the meaning of this phrase by Leonardo da Vinci: ‘Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication,’” Dr. Hashimoto said.
Dr. Hashimoto is fluent in English, Japanese and Finnish. When he is not treating patients, he enjoys reading books, exercising and road cycling.
John Paul Diaz, MD
John P. Diaz, M.D., FACOG, FACS, is a board-certified gynecologic oncologist and holds multiple leadership roles at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute, including chief of gynecologic oncology, director of robotic surgery and director of clinical research in gynecologic oncology. He also serves as chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine.
Dr. Diaz provides comprehensive and compassionate gynecologic cancer care for women with endometrial, ovarian, cervical, vaginal or vulvar cancer. He has extensive training and experience in robotic and minimally invasive surgery, which results in shorter hospital stays and faster recovery times for patients.
A surgical innovator, Dr. Diaz has helped pioneer novel procedures such as fertility-sparing radical trachelectomy for early-stage cervical cancer and sentinel lymph node mapping in gynecologic malignancies. He also performed Florida’s first uterine transposition procedure for a patient with gynecologic cancer, preserving reproductive potential in a groundbreaking approach.
Under the direction of Dr. Diaz, Miami Cancer Institute’s gynecologic oncology research and clinical trials program offers innovative treatments and advanced technologies to women in South Florida. His research interests include new surgical methods for ovarian cancer and innovative cancer therapies like hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy and immunotherapy. He was awarded a $1.7 million research grant to investigate novel therapeutics for the treatment of gynecologic cancers.
Dr. Diaz has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and presented his research at scientific symposiums. He serves as a reviewer for Gynecologic Oncology, BioMed Cancer, International Journal of Gynecologic Oncology and the Annals of Surgical Oncology. He also holds several leadership and committee positions within such professional organizations as the Society of Gynecologic Oncology and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Dr. Diaz earned his medical degree at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and was inducted into the Iron Arrow Honor Society, the university’s highest honor. He completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He also completed a fellowship in gynecologic oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, N.Y., where he was awarded the Department of Surgery’s Chairman’s Award for Excellence in Clinical Research.
Dr. Diaz is dedicated to advancing women’s health, cancer care, surgical innovation and academic leadership on both a regional and national level. He is fluent in English and Spanish.
