Dr. Joseph M. Forbess, a renowned pediatric cardiovascular surgeon, has joined Nicklaus Children’s Pediatric Specialists (NCPS) as its Chief of the Section of Cardiovascular Surgery, leading the Nicklaus Children’s Heart Institute together with Dr. Lourdes Prieto, Chief of the Section of Cardiology.
With decades of experience in providing outstanding care to its patients, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital has earned a name for itself as one of the nation’s best hospitals for pediatric cardiology and heart surgery, as recognized by U.S. News & World Report. And, with Dr. Forbess at the helm, Nicklaus Children’s promises that your child will be provided with the heartfelt, compassionate care they deserve.
We are thrilled to announce the addition of Dr. Jonathan Forbess to the Nicklaus Children’s Health System’s Section of Cardiovascular Surgery! Dr. Forbess joins us with impressive credentials from the University of Maryland Medical System, where he was a professor of surgery and surgical director of the Children’s Heart Program.
He earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and then completed two residencies in general and thoracic surgery at Duke University Medical Center, followed by a fellowship in cardiovascular surgery at Boston Children’s Hospital. Dr. Burke, who helped lead the Nicklaus Children’s Cardiovascular Surgery program to national recognition, will remain with the program and continue to contribute to its growth and service to young patients. We’re delighted to have Dr. Forbess on board, and can’t wait to see all that he can achieve with our program in the years to come!
Dr. Forbess is an internationally renowned leader in cardiac surgery, with decades of experience working with patients of all ages from babies to adults. In addition to his MD, he also holds a MBA, and is certified and highly respected in both Congenital Cardiac Surgery and Thoracic Surgery. His specialty areas of interest involve neonatal cardiac reconstruction and biventricular repair in infants and young children, as well as the growing adult population with Congenital Heart Disease.
Dr.Forbess has published over 100 articles and presented his work in various medical conferences across the globe, and is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and American College of Surgeons, a founding member of the World Society for Pediatric Congenital Heart Surgery, and a member of important associations, such as the 21st Century Cardiothoracic Surgical Society, American Heart Association’s Council on Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, American Association for Thoracic Surgery, Society of Thoracic Surgeons and Southern Thoracic Surgical Association.
At the renowned Heart Institute of Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Dr. Burke has achieved immense success since joining in 1995; through his focus on assisting neonates and children with complex surgical needs, reporting real-time outcomes, and decreasing the collective trauma for open-heart surgery recipients, the program has earned national prominence.
As the world leader in pediatric cardiology and cardiovascular surgery, the Heart Institute provides families facing the reality of a child or newborn with heart defect the most innovative and least invasive approaches available, frequently pioneering procedures right here and becoming world-renowned in the process.
About Nicklaus Children’s Health System
Nicklaus Children’s Health System (NCHS) is a nonprofit organization that offers the highest quality of pediatric medicine in South Florida. Founded in 1950 by Variety Clubs International, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital has grown to become the only licensed specialty hospital exclusively for children in the region. In the 2022-2023 ranking, the hospital tied with two other hospitals as the number one children’s hospital in Florida.
As part of the health system, nonprofits such us Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation and outpatient and urgent care centers have been established to ensure children receive the best possible care. NCHS has become the most reputable healthcare system dedicated solely to the care and nurturance of children.