Northwell adds two heart docs

Dr. Brian Lima and Dr. Syed Hussain, two cardiac surgeons with expertise in heart transplant and all types of adult cardiac surgery, have joined the heart transplant center at the Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH).

Dr. Lima, who built a reputation as a renowned transplant surgeon at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, has been named director of heart transplantation surgery at NSUH, while Dr. Hussain was recruited from the Cleveland Clinic to serve a key role as the lead procurement surgeon, the individual who surgically retrieves donor hearts.

NSUH received state approval in June to establish a heart transplant center, the only one on Long Island and the first time in 20 years that the state approved a heart transplant program. The center’s first surgery is expected to be performed later this year.

“Drs. Lima and Hussain have extensive experience in heart transplant surgery and will be integral in launching Northwell’s program, working with our outstanding advanced heart failure team and cardiac experts,” said Dr. Alan Hartman, senior vice president and executive director of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery at Northwell Health.