Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Team
Irving Shen, M.D.
Making life-saving connections
Dr. Irving Shen, medical director at Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children, dismisses the idea that heart surgeons must be aloof, temperamental technicians working in a kind of rarefied air. For him, it isn't just about connecting a heart valve; it's about connecting to people. "When children are born with a congenital heart defect, it’s a very serious matter," he says. "It calls for a dedicated team of experts, similar to team sports. Every member of that team is important, from pre-surgery to post-operative care."
Overseeing the day-to-day operations of a large pediatric cardiac surgical team takes leadership, as well as the ability to build trust and develop excellence.
"I don’t believe in micro-managing my staff," Dr. Shen says, "I delegate. It’s all about putting together an effective team in the first place. Then, you accentuate their strengths and minimize their weaknesses. This leads to a great outcome."
Dr. Shen also dedicates himself to finding a good balance in life for things he enjoys and causes he believes in. The Vienna, Va., resident rides his bike to work every day, rain or shine.
"Coming from Oregon, my wife, Carmen, and I have a close bond with nature," he says. "We live the philosophy of 'leave no trace behind,' and maintaining a small footprint on our environment. It takes longer to get to work, and there are days when I just don't want to get out of bed, but it's a commitment, and I try to practice what I believe."
That kind of commitment can be found in every pediatric heart procedure Dr. Shen performs, including the life-saving Norwood procedure. Dr. Shen is one of only a handful of surgeons in the region skilled in this new procedure. Performing surgery on a tiny newborn heart requires a special kind of medicine.
Dr. Shen earned a bachelor's degree in business (cum laude) from Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., and went on to attain his medical degree (cum laude) from Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Ore. Residencies include the University of Washington Health Sciences Center in Seattle, Wash., and the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, Colo. Inova is fortunate to have this gifted professional leading its pediatric cardiac team.
Lucas R. Collazo, M.D.
A Passion for Children’s Medicine
Children are at the center of Dr. Lucas Collazo’s life.
"I love cardiac surgery," he says. "For me, it was a no-brainer. As hard as it can be sometimes, I can't see myself doing anything else. I think it is the most fun, challenging and rewarding field."
A devoted father of two young children, Dr. Collazo and his wife, Karen, live in Great Falls, Va., and are active in their local church and school. Being a busy cardiac surgeon is a demanding job, so time spent with his family is precious.
"I can't make it to their plays and games," he says, "but they know that if I am not at home it's because I am helping people and 'fixing people's hearts'." His daughter, Alanna, likes to come on rounds with him, he says, and he calls her his little "pediatrician of the future." "They are always asking me about the babies. How old are they? What is their favorite toy or cartoon? They definitely keep it real for me."
A primary focus for Dr. Collazo is Inova’s program for managing patients' ongoing care. Congenital heart patients are living longer and require additional surgery as they age. Dr. Collazo works closely with Dr. Shen to ensure excellence in continued health care for their patients.
"I love working with Irving," he says. "We share the same work ethic and passion for pediatric cardiac surgery. We are on the same page on pretty much everything."
The New York Yankee fan received his bachelor’s degree from Columbia University, N.Y., and went on to earn his medical degree from State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, N.Y. Residencies include SUNY Health Science Center at Brooklyn, Brooklyn, N.Y., and Cornell University Medical College's North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, N.Y. He did his specialty training in congenital heart surgery at Egleston Children’s Hospital at Emory University, Atlanta, Ga.
- Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) Repair
- Ventricular Septal Defect
- Tetralogy of Fallot Repair
- Arterial Switch for TGA
- Atrioventricular Canal Surgery
- Bidirectional Glenn
- Fontan
- Heart Valve Repair and Replacement
- Ross Procedure for AVR
- Patent Ductus Arteniosus
- Coarctation of the Aorta Repair
- Systemic to Pulmonary Shunt
- Pediatric Recovery
