Division of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery

Chief of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery

Nationally known pediatric cardiac surgeon David P. Bichell, MD, specializes in the surgical treatment of congenital heart disease in infants, children, and adults. Dr. Bichell is highly accomplished at performing a wide range of procedures to treat congenital heart problems, including surgery for single ventricle defects, correction of complex neonatal heart defects, and pediatric heart transplantation. 

Dr. Bichell has a special interest in minimally invasive heart surgery, a technique where surgeons use sophisticated approaches to operate through small incisions. These advances offer several benefits over traditional open-heart surgery, including a quicker recovery, less pain, and minimal scarring. 

In addition to his patient care activities, Dr. Bichell is serving as principal investigator for clinical research studies in a variety of fields, including valve and conduit innovations, pharmacologic advances in the treatment of children, brain protection during neonatal surgery, and multi-institutional outcomes research. 

Dr. Bichell has published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and abstracts, as well as several book chapters. A talented artist, he has contributed many medical illustrations to scientific textbooks and journals. 

Education 

• 1987 M.D., Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons
• 1980 B.A., Johns Hopkins University
   

 Postgraduate Training
 

• 1997 Chief Resident in Cardiac Surgery, Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School 
• 1996-97 Chief Resident in Cardiac Surgery, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School 
• 1995-96 Resident in Cardiothoracic Surgery, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School 
• 1994-95 Clinical Fellow in Cardiac Surgery, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School 
• 1988-94 Resident in General Surgery, Barnes Hospital, Washington University School of Medicine
• 1990-92 Research Fellow, Departments of Biochemistry and Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine
• 1987-88 Intern in Pediatrics, Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University
  

Credentials

• Board Certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery   

Clinical Interests
 

• Pediatric cardiac surgery
• Neonatal cardiac surgery
• Minimally invasive pediatric cardiac surgery  
• Hybrid pediatric cardiac surgery 
• Pediatric heart transplantation
• Congenital heart disease
• Surgery for congenital heart disease in adults 

Research Interests

• Valve and conduit innovations
• Pharmacologic advances in the treatment of children
• Minimally invasive pediatric cardiac surgery 
• Brain protection during neonatal surgery
• Multi-institutional outcomes research

Click here to view Dr. Bichell's full Curriculum Vitae.

Contact

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt
2200 Children’s Way 
5247 Doctor’s Office Tower 
Nashville, TN  37232-9292 
Phone: (615) 936-5500  
Email:  david.bichell@Vanderbilt.Edu