Dr. Jeffrey A. Poynter, MD, MSc

Media Releases

Get to know Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. Jeffrey A. Poynter, who serves patients in Chattanooga, Tennessee. 

Dr. Poynter is a well-versed cardiothoracic surgeon in practice with Erlanger Heart and Lung Institute in Chattanooga, Tennessee. A part of Erlanger Health System, it is the region’s only comprehensive, academic heart care team that focuses exclusively on you and the health of your heart.

Erlanger has assembled an elite team of experts from across the country to pursue a new vision for heart and lung care. They represent a full spectrum of fellowship-level specialties – trained and equipped to handle the region’s most difficult cases. Working in close collaboration, they are transforming care by offering more minimally-invasive innovations for better outcomes and faster recovery.

A Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Dr. Poynter’s interests include advanced statistical modeling of the durability of vascular prostheses, clinical outcomes research, coronary anomalies, cell-based therapies for myocardial ischemia, and minimally invasive cardiac valve surgery. He is board-certified in thoracic and cardiac surgery by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, which is an American surgical organization devoted to surgery of the chest. 

As for his academic career, Dr. Poynter earned his medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School in 2007. After completing his residency in general surgery at Indiana University, he went on to complete his fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He also holds a Master of Science (MSc) degree from the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Toronto.

Cardiothoracic surgery is the field of medicine involved in the surgical treatment of organs inside the thorax. Cardiothoracic surgeons are medical doctors who specialize in surgical procedures inside the thorax, which may involve the heart, lungs, esophagus, and other organs in the chest. Alongside performing surgery, they also diagnose and treat diseases of these organs. 

Recommended Articles

• Atypical Forms of Myocardial Infarction

  Atypical myocardial infarction often occurs in older patients with a pronounced cardiosclerosis, circulatory failure, and often with people who have a history of heart attacks.The symptoms may confuse you, or make you think that they are not associated with the heart.Usually, atypical manifestations...

• Different Types of Heart Doctors Explained

  IntroductionDoctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions or diseases of the cardiovascular system (the heart and blood vessels) are called heart doctors or cardiologists. These specialists are trained to identify, treat, and help prevent heart issues. There are also different...

• Alternative Remedies to Treat Cardiovascular Diseases

  Herbal Treatment of the heart has been used by mankind for centuries and has shown an excellent effect. Especially effective was the use of medicinal plants in the case of chronic diseases, such as atherosclerosis and hypertension, where treatment involves a particular duration and a comprehensive...

• Complications of Myocardial Infarction

  Complications can be divided according to different factors:...

• How Does your Triglyceride Level Affect You?

  Triglycerides are produced as a product of breakdown of fats. It is also produced from carbohydrates to be stored as energy. Triglycerides are generally stored in fat cells and released when needed.The healthy range or normal level of triglycerides in the body is less than 150 milligrams per...

• Atrial Fibrillation: What is a Catheter Ablation?

  Atrial fibrillation - also known as AF or a-fib - is a medical condition that affects the rhythm of the heart. Problems that affect the rhythm of the heart cause a condition known as arrhythmia. This condition often causes irregular blood flow. It is quite common, with more than 200,000 cases in the...