Cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases are still major health problems around the world. Advances in medical technology integrated with personalized care are making a positive difference in patient outcomes and life expectancy. Physicians who recognize and solve the unique problems and goals of each patient are the main reason for advancements in this area. Leading surgeons in this area use both traditional and less invasive methods to advance care for cardiac and thoracic problems.
Dr. Shreekumar Subramanian, Cardiothoracic Surgeon at TriStar Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, and affiliated with HCA Healthcare, Inc., exemplifies this approach. With more than 25 years of experience and thousands of surgeries under his belt, Dr. Shreekumar Subramanian is known not just for his skill but for his caring approach. He takes the time to listen to his patients, explains treatments clearly, and treats everyone with respect. His work shows that heart and lung care today is about supporting each patient and their family through every step of their journey.
Let’s explore Dr. Subramanian’s expert, personalized approach transforming heart and lung care in 2025!
A Care Philosophy Rooted in Empathy and Respect
What sets Dr. Shreekumar Subramanian apart is his commitment to placing patients at the heart of every decision. “I don’t offer a patient anything I wouldn’t offer my own family,” he explains. This principle guides all his interactions, ensuring honesty and compassion throughout the care process.
Rather than dictating a single course of action, Dr. Shreekumar Subramanian believes in presenting patients with clear options. “When dealing with patients, I present the operation or procedure as an option—it’s always up to the patient and their family to decide what they’d like to do.” This approach builds trust and eases anxiety, making sure that treatment fits what truly matters to each individual.
Moreover, he insists on medical reasonableness: “I only offer an operation or procedure if I believe it is reasonable to expect it will improve either survival or quality of life.” In practice, this means avoiding unnecessary surgeries and focusing on thoughtful, evidence-based care.
To achieve this, he spends considerable time understanding each patient’s unique situation. “My practice is really focused on patient-centered care and tailoring therapies. By tailoring therapies, I mean I adapt the treatment to the individual patient rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.” For some, this means traditional open surgery; for others, a minimally invasive procedure might be best, depending on their health and lifestyle.
From Military Service to Medical Mastery
Dr. Subramanian’s journey is as remarkable as his approach to patient care. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Modern Languages from Union College, followed by a medical degree with honors from Albany Medical College in 1996. Instead of taking the traditional route, he chose to join the U.S. Air Force, where he served for ten years.
During his military career, he completed his internship, residency, and a clinical research fellowship at David Grant Medical Center, Travis Air Force Base, California. His service took him around the globe—deployed to Iraq, Libya, Kazakhstan, and serving as a combat trauma surgeon in Balad, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. These experiences demanded quick decision-making and resilience in life-or-death situations.
“Serving in the Air Force was transformative,” he reflects. “It taught me how to make life-or-death decisions under stress, and how to care for patients in the most challenging conditions.” This foundation in discipline and empathy continues to shape his work today.
After his military service, he completed a Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, one of the nation’s top programs. He also earned a traveling fellowship to the Arizona Heart Institute to further refine his skills. But it was his time in Germany that truly broadened his expertise.
For two years, Dr. Shreekumar Subramanian worked independently as a cardiac surgeon at the Heart Center Leipzig, gaining experience with cutting-edge technologies like transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and mitral valve therapies—minimally invasive treatments that were just emerging in Europe. When he returned to the U.S., he helped build the TAVR program at the University of Arizona Medical Center and served as director of the thoracic surgery residency program.
In 2015, he was recruited to TriStar Centennial Medical Center to establish their minimally invasive mitral valve surgery program, bringing his international experience and advanced skills to patients in Tennessee.
Mastering Complex Cardiovascular Conditions
Dr. Subramanian’s clinical expertise spans a wide range of cardiac and thoracic conditions, from emergencies to complex surgeries:
- Acute myocardial infarction (heart attacks), where timely care saves lives
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a thickening of the heart muscle
- Infective endocarditis, a dangerous heart valve infection
- Cardiac tumors, rare but serious growths
- Arrhythmias and conduction disorders affecting heart rhythm
- Congenital heart defects and valve diseases
- Heart failure management, improving patients’ daily lives
- Minimally invasive transcatheter valve procedures such as TAVR and MitraClip
- Thoracic aortic aneurysm repair, correcting dangerous bulges in the aorta
With over 5,000 cardiovascular operations and more than 60 published scientific articles and abstracts, Dr. Shreekumar Subramanian combines hands-on experience with academic knowledge. This lets him provide care that is both cutting-edge and grounded in proven science.
Bringing World-Class Cardiac Care Closer to Home
Access to specialized heart and lung care is often a challenge for many patients who live far from major centers. To address this, Dr. Shreekumar Subramanian sees patients not only at TriStar Cardiovascular Surgery in Nashville but also at the T.J. Health Pavilion in Glasgow, Kentucky. This makes expert consultations and follow-up visits easier for patients in smaller or rural communities.
While surgeries take place at TriStar Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, the convenience of the Glasgow clinic means fewer long trips for patients needing ongoing care. This model blends convenience with top-quality care, making sure patients get the treatment they need without unnecessary burden.
Innovating Through Research and Education
Throughout his career, Dr. Shreekumar Subramanian has embraced innovation and teaching. He has trained extensively in minimally invasive valve surgeries and helped launch new programs like TAVR during its early FDA approval phase.
As a residency program director, he has mentored many young surgeons, emphasizing the balance of technical skill and empathy. He has also led clinical studies, including FDA trials on sutureless aortic valves, helping bring new technologies safely to patients. His more than 60 publications show his commitment to advancing cardiovascular care worldwide.
A Human Touch in High-Tech Medicine
Despite his technical expertise, Dr. Subramanian never loses sight of the person behind the patient. “I spend a lot of time with patients, understanding their specific situation, and then craft a therapy that works best for them,” he says.
This focus on communication and trust means treatment decisions consider not just medical facts, but patients’ values and fears too. This helps patients feel confident facing complex choices about their health.
Life Beyond the Operating Room
Outside of surgery, Dr. Subramanian is a family man, balancing his demanding career with life at home alongside his wife and two children. His military and global medical experiences have given him a broad view on service—whether to his country, patients, or family.
The Future of Cardiothoracic Care
As medicine continues to evolve, Dr. Shreekumar Subramanian stays at the forefront, blending surgical tradition with innovative, less invasive options. His work with HCA Healthcare and TriStar Medical Center means patients can access expert, personalized heart and lung care that is both advanced and compassionate.
For those facing serious heart or lung conditions, his vision is clear: care that is high-tech but also high-touch, tailored to each individual’s needs and life.
