Tal Sarig-Meth, MD

Dr. Geirsson is a renowned cardiac surgeon and the Director of the Cardiovascular Institute and Director of the Surgical Heart Valve Program at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. With an upbringing and medical education in Iceland, he honed his skills in General Surgery at Yale University and Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania between 1998 and 2007. During his tenure at Yale as the Director of Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery from 2007 to 2013, he made significant contributions to the field. Dr. Geirsson then returned to Iceland from 2013 to 2016, serving as a Cardiothoracic Surgeon at Landspitali University Hospital in Reykjavik. Driven by his passion for innovative approaches, he returned to Yale in 2016 and was appointed as the Chief of the Division of Cardiac Surgery in 2017. Dr. Geirsson's clinical practice focuses on minimally invasive cardiac surgery and valve surgery, specializing in robotic mitral valve repair and aortic valve repair. He achieved notable milestones by performing the first minimally right thoracotomy mitral valve surgery at YNHH in 2009 and the first robotic mitral valve surgery at YNHH in 2018. Moreover, his research endeavors encompass both basic and clinical science, concentrating on mitral valve prolapse and aortic aneurysm disease. With his expertise, dedication, and commitment to advancing cardiac surgery, Dr. Geirsson continues to make significant contributions to the field and improve patient outcomes.

A native of Boston, Massachusetts, Dr. Imahiyerobo received his B.A. from Harvard University where he graduated with Honors, cum laude. After also receiving his M.D. from Harvard Medical School, Dr. Imahiyerobo entered the combined Plastic Surgery Residency at New York Presbyterian/Columbia and New York Presbyterian/ Weill Cornell. During his residency, Dr. Imahiyerobo was the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including the Dicran Goulian award for academic excellence in Plastic Surgery, as well as the Weill Cornell Alumni Council award for Distinguished House Staff. During his final year of residency Dr. Imahiyerobo served as chief resident in Plastic Surgery and was recognized by New York Presbyterian Hospital for his outstanding patient care. Dr. Imahiyerobo’s areas of expertise include the treatment of cleft lip, cleft palate, craniosynostosis, frontal facial advancement and orthognathic (jaw) surgery. He also specializes in the care of adult cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the head and neck. He helps lead the Craniofacial Center at Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, where he is committed to providing comprehensive, cutting-edge, compassionate care to patients of all ages with craniofacial differences. He has completed additional training in Craniofacial and Pediatric Plastic Surgery during his fellowship at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. While there, he was an integral part of one of the largest cleft and craniofacial teams in the country. Dr. Imahiyerobo is the author of numerous academic publications. He has been a speaker at national meetings of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, The American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the Plastic Surgery Research Council. In 2014 he was awarded the prestigious Gaspar Anastasi Award for best presentation during the Resident and Fellows Forum at the meeting of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. His current research interest includes the use of innovative approaches to treat global midface hypoplasia and severe Class III malocclusion. He is also focused on outcomes research for cleft lip and palate surgery, as well as the effects of craniosynostosis on pediatric cognitive development. Give to the Cleft and Craniofacial Fund »Read how Dr. Imahiyerobo helped Lily, a child with craniosynostosis »

Cary B. Aarons is a Professor of Surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. He received his undergraduate degree from Harvard University and his medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, DC. He then completed his general surgery training at Boston University Medical Center followed by his colorectal surgery fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He has an interest in the management of the full spectrum of benign and malignant colorectal diseases including anorectal conditions, pelvic floor disorders, diverticulitis, colon and rectal cancer, and inflammatory bowel disease using minimally invasive and open surgical procedures. Dr. Aarons is currently the Program Director for the General Surgery Residency Program and the Vice Chair of Education for the Department of Surgery. He has been involved in medical education in various capacities, both regionally and nationally, and received a master's degree in Medical Education from the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education.