Detroit Medical Center Welcomes New Leadership at Heart Hospital

DETROIT — The Detroit Medical Center is pleased to welcome Kenton J. Zehr, MD, as the new Executive Director of DMC's Heart Hospital and cardiovascular service line.

Dr. Zehr will work in close collaboration with Ileana Piña, MD, MPH, DMC's Regional and National Director of Heart Failure and Director of Cardiovascular Research and Academic Affairs, in strengthening DMC’s cardiovascular service line as a whole.

“Their collective focus on addressing the diverse and chronic cardiac health needs of Detroit residents will have a profound impact on the overall health of the communities we touch,” said DMC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Anthony Tedeschi. “Dr. Zehr views Detroit as a thriving city with endless opportunity for both professional and personal contribution and he is looking forward to quickly integrating with our DMC network of providers as well as embracing the spirit of Detroit.”

Dr. Zehr is a board certified thoracic surgery specialist and comes to the DMC from the world-renowned Johns Hopkins Hospital (Maryland). While there, he also served as an associate professor of surgery. Dr. Zehr's specialties include aortic root and aortic aneurysm surgery, repair techniques for the aortic and mitral valves and mechanical assistance for the failing heart and lungs. Additionally, his passion and innovation in the cardiovascular field has resulted in the development of several new surgical aortic and mitral valve techniques and several mechanical device patents. He has also received high honors for his teaching abilities.

After graduating from Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Dr. Zehr completed a general surgery/cardiothoracic surgery residency and fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital. During his residency, he spent two years in the Cardiac Surgery Research Laboratories. He also completed a fellowship in aortic surgery and thoracic organ transplantation at Harefield Hospital in London.