Sara J. Pereira
( out of 85 reviews )

Sara J. Pereira, MD

Languages spoken: English, Spanish

Clinical Locations

University of Utah Hospital

Cardiothoracic Surgery
Salt Lake City

Veterans Administration Medical Center

Salt Lake City

  • Dr. Sara Pereira is a Professor of Surgery at the University of Utah and joined the Division of Cardiothoracic surgery in 2020. She is a Northern California native. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of California at Berkeley in 1992 and completed medical school at University of California Irvine School of Medicine in 1997. She completed her residency in general surgery at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in 2002 and fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2005. Dr. Pereira spent ten years working in private practice in Colorado, prior to returning to academic medicine and joining the University of Alabama faculty as an Associate Professor in 2017.

    Dr. Pereira is the Program Director of the Integrated and Traditional Cardiothoracic surgery training programs and the Surgical Director of the Structural heart program in Utah. She also serves as the Section Chief at the VA Hospital in Salt Lake City Utah. Dr. Pereira is passionate about resident education and diversity, equity, and inclusion in surgery. She served as the Vice Chair of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the University of Alabama and and serves as a member of the STS Workforce on DEI. Dr. Pereira recently co-founded the Latinos in Cardiothoracic Surgery group with Latino Surgical Society and Women in Surgery group at the University of Utah. She is Vice Chair of the STS Looking to the Future Scholarship Program and Co-Director of the Women in Thoracic Surgery Scholarships and Awards Committee. She remains involved in the Thoracic Residency Directors Association and participates on the Membership, Early Specialization, and Career Development Committees. Dr. Pereira was honored with the Latino Surgical Society National Mentor of the Year award in August 2023. Her research interests include quality improvement and clinical outcomes in adult cardiac surgery, particularly valve in valve trans-catheter aortic valve replacement, low-flow flow gradient aortic stenosis, perioperative optimization of high-risk cardiac patients, and resident simulation. Dr. Pereira has recently been the Principal Investigator for several projects including the ROMA Multi-Arterial grafting study in women and a study looking at the quality of life following TAVR in patients with low flow-low gradient aortic stenosis. She is certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. She specializes in all aspects of adult cardiac surgery and particularly enjoys complex re-operative surgery, minimally invasive valve operations, and transcatheter procedures. In her free time, Dr. Pereira enjoys mountain biking and camping with her husband and two daughters, ages 14 and 16.

    Dr. Pereira’s clinical interests include:

    • Adult cardiac surgery

    • Complex re-operative surgery

    • Aortic surgery

    • Minimally invasive surgery

    Dr. Pereira’s research interests include:

    • Quality improvement and clinical outcomes in adult cardiac surgery, particularly valve in valve transcatheter

    aortic valve replacement

    •Multi-Arterial grafting in CABG

    • Perioperative optimization of high risk cardiac patients

    Specialties

    Board Certification

    American Board of Surgery (Sub: General Surgery)
    American Board of Thoracic Surgery (Thoracic Surg)

    Patient Rating

    4.9 /5
    ( out of 85 reviews )

    The patient rating score is an average of all responses on our patient experience survey. The rating averages scores for all questions about care from our providers.

    The scale on which responses are measured is 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

    Patient Comments

    Patient comments are gathered from our patient experience survey and displayed in their entirety.
    Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

    October 30, 2024
    UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS

    She is awesome. She saved my life.

    October 22, 2024
    UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS

    Dr Pereira is an outstanding surgeon and fantastic care provider. She literally saved my life!

    October 18, 2024
    UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS

    What a wonderful dr

    October 17, 2024
    UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS

    This Doctor is awesome. She saved my life

    October 03, 2024
    UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

    Her evidence of knowledge is encoutaginf

    October 03, 2024
    UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS

    The only surgeon I would recommend. She is the best

    September 27, 2024
    UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS

    Dr. Pereira is intelligent, caring and the best you could ask for. She not only made sure I understood, she made sure my husband did too. A true gem.

    September 26, 2024
    UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

    Actually, I saw her very little (when I was conscious). She semed very well-trained and confident in my first meeting with the surgical team, and then she took the time to check my condition afterwards and made herself available for any uestions.

    September 19, 2024
    UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS

    Dr. Pereira provided excellent care. She took the time to explain what needed to be done and followed up regularly to see how I was recovering.

    See More Patient Comments

  • Dr. Sara Pereira is a Professor of Surgery at the University of Utah and joined the Division of Cardiothoracic surgery in 2020. She is a Northern California native. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of California at Berkeley in 1992 and completed medical school at University of California Irvine School of Medicine in 1997. She completed her residency in general surgery at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in 2002 and fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2005. Dr. Pereira spent ten years working in private practice in Colorado, prior to returning to academic medicine and joining the University of Alabama faculty as an Associate Professor in 2017.

    Dr. Pereira is the Program Director of the Integrated and Traditional Cardiothoracic surgery training programs and the Surgical Director of the Structural heart program in Utah. She also serves as the Section Chief at the VA Hospital in Salt Lake City Utah. Dr. Pereira is passionate about resident education and diversity, equity, and inclusion in surgery. She served as the Vice Chair of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the University of Alabama and and serves as a member of the STS Workforce on DEI. Dr. Pereira recently co-founded the Latinos in Cardiothoracic Surgery group with Latino Surgical Society and Women in Surgery group at the University of Utah. She is Vice Chair of the STS Looking to the Future Scholarship Program and Co-Director of the Women in Thoracic Surgery Scholarships and Awards Committee. She remains involved in the Thoracic Residency Directors Association and participates on the Membership, Early Specialization, and Career Development Committees. Dr. Pereira was honored with the Latino Surgical Society National Mentor of the Year award in August 2023. Her research interests include quality improvement and clinical outcomes in adult cardiac surgery, particularly valve in valve trans-catheter aortic valve replacement, low-flow flow gradient aortic stenosis, perioperative optimization of high-risk cardiac patients, and resident simulation. Dr. Pereira has recently been the Principal Investigator for several projects including the ROMA Multi-Arterial grafting study in women and a study looking at the quality of life following TAVR in patients with low flow-low gradient aortic stenosis. She is certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. She specializes in all aspects of adult cardiac surgery and particularly enjoys complex re-operative surgery, minimally invasive valve operations, and transcatheter procedures. In her free time, Dr. Pereira enjoys mountain biking and camping with her husband and two daughters, ages 14 and 16.

    Dr. Pereira’s clinical interests include:

    • Adult cardiac surgery

    • Complex re-operative surgery

    • Aortic surgery

    • Minimally invasive surgery

    Dr. Pereira’s research interests include:

    • Quality improvement and clinical outcomes in adult cardiac surgery, particularly valve in valve transcatheter

    aortic valve replacement

    •Multi-Arterial grafting in CABG

    • Perioperative optimization of high risk cardiac patients

    Board Certification and Academic Information

    Academic Departments Surgery -Primary
    Academic Divisions Cardiothoracic Surgery
    Board Certification
    American Board of Surgery (Sub: General Surgery)
    American Board of Thoracic Surgery (Thoracic Surg)

    Education history

    Fellowship Cardiothoracic Surgery - University of Alabama at Birmingham Fellow
    Residency General Surgery - University of Cincinnati Medical Center Chief Resident
    Residency General Surgery - University of Cincinnati Medical Center Resident
    Professional Medical Medicine - University of California, Irvine School of Medicine M.D.
    Undergraduate Integrative Biology - University of California, Berkeley B.A.

    Selected Publications

    Journal Article

    1. Schafer M, Glotzbach J, Pereira SJ, Sharma V, Goodwin M, Cleveland JC, Selzman C, Carroll A, Barker A, Aftab M, Reece B (). Aortic Shape with High-Acute Isthmic Angle post Frozen Elephant Trunk Reconstruction is Associated with Worse postoperative Outcomes, Accepted to JTCVS Structural and Endovascular. (Epub ahead of print) Journal of thoracic cardiovascular surgery structural and endovascular.
    2. Tompkins AK, Cooke DT, Backhus L, DiMaio JM, Pereira SJ, Antonoff M, Merrill W, Erkmen CP, Society of Thoracic Surgeons Workforces on Diversity Equity and Inclusion Cardiothoracic Surgery Practice Models and Career Development, Members of the Workforce on Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Pereira S, Erkmen CP, Backhus LM, Bostock Rosenzweig IC, Bowen D, Cooke DT, Erhunmwunsee L, Freeman KA, Godoy L, Kozik D, Kpodonu J, Lagisetty KH, Pelletier GJ, Sihag S, Wallace AF, Wilder F, Wood DE, Members of the 2024 Workforce on Cardiothoracic Surgery Practice Models, Members of the Workforce on Career Development (2024). Intersection of Race and Gender in the Cardiothoracic Workforce: Study of Representation and Salary. Ann Thorac Surg. (Read full article)
    3. Ahmed A, Treffalls JA, Best C, Dafflisio GJ, Xu S, Trager LE, Paluri SN, Jones A, Olverson G 4th, Shah AM, Hingtgen AL, Colon S, Han JJ, Blitzer D, Bhagat R, Pereira SJ, Hameed I (2024). Pathway to cardiothoracic surgery: A primer for aspiring students. JTCVS Open, 20, 112-122. (Read full article)
    4. Benck KN, SenthilKumar G, Steely A, Pereira SJ, DiChiacchio L (2024). Professional Development for Women in Cardiothoracic Surgery. Ann Thorac Surg. 2024 Jun 14:S0003-4975(24)00470-3. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2024.05.039. Online ahead of print. Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 14.
    5. Contreras N, Essig R, Magarinos, J, Pereira SJ (2024). Abuse, Bullying, Harassment, Discrimination, and Allyship in Cardiothoracic Surgery. In Press, Thoracic Surgery Clinics May 2024. Thorac Surg Clin.
    6. Desmarais T, DiChiacchio L, Fanous H, Levy L, Pereira SJ, Jones TJ (2024). Gender Disparities in Valvular Heart Disease and Treatment in the Elderly. In Press. Current Geriatrics Reports April 2024. DOI: 10.1007/s13670-024-00419-6. Curr Geriatr Rep.
    7. Benck KN, Nesbitt K, Dranow E, Glotzbach JP, Tandar A, Pereira SJ (2024). Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Improves Quality of Life and Ventricular Function With Low-Flow/Low-Gradient Aortic Stenosis. J Soc Cardiovasc Angiogr Interv, 3(3 Pt A). (Read full article)
    8. Gelhard S, OBrien L, Vincenti S, Smego DR, Hobbs R, Varghese TK Jr, Selzman CH, Pereira SJ (2023). Disparities in Gender and Diversity Representation Among Surgical Subspecialties: Are we Losing Momentum? J Surg Res, 293, 413-419. (Read full article)
    9. Benck KN, Nesbitt KN, Dranow E, Glotzbach J, Tandar A, Pereira SJ (2023). Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement improves quality of life and ventricular function with low-flow/low-gradient aortic stenosis; In Press, February 5, 2024. JSCAI.2023.101266. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement improves quality of life and ventricular function with low-flow/low-gradient aortic stenosis.
    10. Gelhard S, OBrien L, Vincenti S, Smego D, Hobbs R, Varghese TK, Selzman CH, Pereira SJ (2023). Gelhard S, O'Brien L, Vincenti S, Smego D, Hobbs R, Varghese TK, Selzman CH, Pereira SJ. Disparities in Gender and Diversity Representation amongst Surgical Subspecialties: Are we Losing Momentum? J Surg Res. 2024 Jan;293:413-419. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2023.08.051. Epub 2023 Oct 7. PubMed PMID: 37812874. Journal of Surgical Research, 293, 413-419.
    11. Pereira SJ (2022). Cardiac surgery in nonagenarians: Rethinking operative strategies in the era of TAVR and TMVR. J Card Surg, 37(6), 1671-1673. (Read full article)
    12. Ferrel MN, Gerhard EF, Johnstad CM, Nesbitt K, Pereira SJ, Fiedler AG (2022). Practice patterns of female cardiothoracic surgeons over the past 58 years: Are we making progress? J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. (Read full article)
    13. Wilson TW, Horns JJ, Sharma V, Goodwin ML, Kagawa H, Pereira SJ, McKellar SH, Selzman CH, Glotzbach JP (2022). Minimally Invasive versus Full Sternotomy SAVR in the Era of TAVR: An Institutional Review. J Clin Med, 11(3). (Read full article)
    14. Ferrel MN, Gerhard EF, Johnstad CM, Nesbitt K, Pereira SJ, Fiedler AG (2022). Practice patterns of female cardiothoracic surgeons older than age 58 years: Are we making progress? J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. (Read full article)
    15. Zaky A, Younan DS, Meers B, Davies J, Pereira S, Melvin RL, Kidd B, Morgan C, Tolwani A, Pittet JF (2021). End-of-Procedure Volume Responsiveness Defined by the Passive Leg Raise Test Is Not Associated With Acute Kidney Injury After Cardiopulmonary Bypass. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth, 35(5), 1299-1306. (Read full article)
    16. Mace JE, Xie R, Deng L, Asban A, Kim W, Pereira SJ, Kirklin JK, Davies JE (2020). Cardiac Surgery and Postoperative Renal Allograft Failure. Ann Thorac Surg, 110, 1904-1908. (Read full article)
    17. Pereira SJ, Narrod JA (2008). Repair of right pulmonary artery transection after blunt trauma. Ann Thorac Surg, 87(3), 939-40. (Read full article)
    18. Burch TM, Davidson MF, Pereira SJ (2008). Use of transesophageal echocardiography in the evaluation and surgical treatment of a patient with an aneurysmal interatrial septum and an intracardiac thrombus traversing a patent foramen ovale. Anesth Analg, 106(3), 769-70. (Read full article)
    19. Bryant AS, Pereira SJ, Miller DL, Cerfolio RJ (2006). Satellite pulmonary nodule in the same lobe (T4N0) should not be staged as IIIB non-small cell lung cancer. Ann Thorac Surg, 82(5), 1808-13; discussion 1813-4. (Read full article)
    20. Nielsen VG, Steenwyk BL, Gurley WQ, Pereira SJ, Lell WA, Kirklin JK (2006). Argatroban, bivalirudin, and lepirudin do not decrease clot propagation and strength as effectively as heparin-activated antithrombin in vitro. J Heart Lung Transplant, 25(6), 653-63. (Read full article)
    21. Obrien DP, Luchette FA, Pereira SJ, Lim E, Seeskin CS, James L, Miller S, Davis K Jr, Hurst JM, Johannigman JA, Frame SB (2002). Pelvic fracture in the elderly is associated with increased mortality. Surgery, 132(4), 710-4; discussion 714-5. (Read full article)
    22. Pereira SJ, OBrien DP, Luchette FA, Choe KA, Lim E, Davis K Jr, Hurst JM, Johannigman JA, Frame SB (2000). Dynamic helical computed tomography scan accurately detects hemorrhage in patients with pelvic fracture. Surgery, 128(4), 678-85. (Read full article)
    23. MacArthur CJ, Pereira S (1996). Otolaryngologic manifestations of multiple pterygium syndrome. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol, 34(1-2), 135-40. (Read full article)

    Commentary

    1. Gelhard S, Vincenti S, Pereira SJ, Contreras N (2024). Invited Commentary: Disparities in Gender and Diversity Representation among Surgical Subspecialties: Are we Losing Momentum? Published 03/04/2024 https://doi.org/10.29245/2767-5130/2024/1.1196. journal of orthopedics and orthopedic surgery.
    2. Pereira SJ (2023). Complex Valve Endocarditis: The importance of early surgical timing with cerebral emboli and a multi-disciplinary endocarditis team, J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2023 Nov 15;. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2023.11.018. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 37977209. Complex Valve Endocarditis: The importance of early surgical timing with cerebral emboli and a multi-disciplinary endocarditis team.

    Case Report

    1. Miller VM, Pereira SJ (2020). Surgical management of catheter-related right atrial thrombus with superior vena cava syndrome A Case Report. J Card Surg, 35(7), 1673-1675. (Read full article)

    Editorial

    1. Benck KN, SenthilKumar G, Steely AM, Pereira SJ, DiChiacchio L (2024). Professional Development for Women in Cardiothoracic Surgery. Ann Thorac Surg, 118(5), 1016-1020. (Read full article)
    2. Antonoff MB, Donington J, Husain SA, Kaneko T, Kilic A, Pereira SJ (2024). STS Policy for Respectful Scholarly Discourse: Providing a Framework for Professional Behavior at Academic Conferences. Ann Thorac Surg. (Read full article)
    3. Welt FGP, Pereira SJ (2023). TAVR and COVID-19: History We Should Not Be Doomed to Repeat. JACC Cardiovasc Interv, 17(3), 388-390. (Read full article)
    4. Pereira SJ (2023). Commentary: Complex valve endocarditis: The importance of early surgical timing with cerebral emboli and a multidisciplinary endocarditis team. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. (Read full article)
    5. Cooke DT, Bonner S, Bostock IC, Bush EL, Godoy LA, Kotova S, Lagisetty KH, Medlock A, Pereira SJ, Erkmen CP, Society of Thoracic Surgeons Workforces on Diversity Equity Inclusion General Thoracic Surgery and Surgical Treatment of End-Stage Cardiopulmonary Disease (2023). Surgical Perspective on the American Thoracic Society Statement on Race Correction of Pulmonary Function Testing. Ann Thorac Surg, 116(5), 868-870. (Read full article)
    6. Tesfaye Y, Keppley M, Harchanko E, Steele J, Urist M, Young C, Pereira S, Martin C, Ma M (2022). Climate survey development to assess the DEI gap across surgical specialties in an academic institution. Am J Surg, 223(2), 425-427. (Read full article)

    Letter

    1. Miller VM, Pereira SJ (2020). Authors' response to letter to the editor: "Therapeutic strategy of dialysis catheter-associated massive thrombus". [Letter to the editor]. J Card Surg, 35(8), 2115. (Read full article)

    Abstract

    1. Schafer M, Eckhauser A, Husain A, Hobbs R, Griffiths E, Pereira SJ, Glotzbach J, Selzman C, Sharma V (). Evolution of Myocardial Deformation Suggests Early Reduction with Subsequent Normalization in Bi-Ventricular Systolic and Diastolic Function post Ross Procedure in Adult Patients. [Abstract]. (Epub ahead of print)
    2. Schafer M, Glotzbach J, Sharma V, Goodwin M, Smego D, Selzman C, Pereira SJ (). Aortic Shape Variants Defined by Unbiased Machine Learning Technique Predict Complications in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement; Oral Presentation at NY Valves; The Structural Heart Summit, New York, June 6, 2024 [Abstract]. (Epub ahead of print)
    3. Vicenti S, Gelhard S, Dranow E, Wendl E, Pereira SJ (). The evaluation of low-flow-low-gradient aortic stenosis with Transthoracic echocardiography versus direct invasive gradient: Is it time for a Shift in Guidelines? Accepted as a poster and manuscript at the Women in Thoracic Surgery Annual Meeting, September 5-6, 2024. [Abstract]. (Epub ahead of print)

    Video/Film/CD/Web/Podcast

    1. Pereira SJ (2020). COVID 19 challenges surgeons to “Embrace the Change” in cardiac surgery [Web]. Society for Thoracic Surgery News.

  • News & Podcasts

    News