Dr. Fernando Safdie, MD

Expert Publications

• Starvation-dependent differential stress resistance protects normal but not cancer cells against high-dose chemotherapy.
• Reduced levels of IGF-I mediate differential protection of normal and cancer cells in response to fasting and improve chemotherapeutic index.
• Fasting and cancer treatment in humans: A case series report.
• Fasting cycles retard growth of tumors and sensitize a range of cancer cell types to chemotherapy.
• Is the use of prosthetic mesh recommended in severely obese patients undergoing concomitant abdominal wall hernia repair and sleeve gastrectomy?
• Incidence and clinical implications of upper extremity deep vein thrombosis after laparoscopic bariatric procedures.

Media Releases

Get to know Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. Fernando M. Safdie, who serves patients in Miami Beach, Florida.

An exceptional cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Safdie is in practice at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Florida. He specializes in all aspects of cardiothoracic diseases with a focus on benign and malignant processes affecting the lungs, mediastinum and esophagus.

Founded in 1949, Mount Sinai Medical Center is the largest private, independent, not-for-profit teaching hospital in Florida. As a medical center whose mission is to provide high-quality health care to our diverse community, enhanced through teaching, research, charity care, and financial responsibility, it is committed to providing access to expert, compassionate care to all.

A native of Argentina, Dr. Safdie earned his medical degree from the University of Buenos Aires, graduating Summa Cum Laude. In 2007, he enrolled at the School of Gerontology at the University of Southern California and subsequently completed post-doctoral training in basic, translational and clinical research.

Additionally, he completed his surgical internship at Mount Sinai Medical Center and his residency in general surgery at the Cleveland Clinic Florida. During his time at Cleveland Clinic Florida, he served as Chief Resident, was named Senior Surgery Resident of the Year and received the Outstanding Performance in Surgical Research award. Finally, he completed his fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery  with a focus in thoracic surgical oncology at the University of Pittsburgh 

As a testament of his continued education, the doctor is board-certified in General and cardiothoracic surgery by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery .  The ABTS and  ABS are an independent, non-profit organization founded for the purpose of certifying surgeons who have met a defined standard of education, training, and knowledge.

Maintaining fellowship status, Dr. Safdie is a Fellow of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and a member of the American College of Surgeons. He has authored and co-authored numerous papers and his research has led to a clinical trial researching the role of dietary modifications as a mechanism to decrease the side effects of chemotherapy in cancer patients. He also serves as a reviewer for the American Journal of Clinical Oncology and has authored multiple book chapters.

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.

Dr. Safdie specializes in cancer affecting the lung, trachea, esophagus and mediastinum. He is and expert in Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery, These surgical approaches allow faster recovery, decreasing hospital length of stay,  less pain and returning to your regular activities in shorter time. Dr. Safdie expertise allowed him to perform the first totally robotic minimally invasive (Ivor Lewis  type) esophageal resection in South Florida. He is also an expert in benign processes affecting the esophagus including, gastroesophageal reflux, hiatal hernias and achalasia.  He is the Director of the endoluminal surgical program in the department of Thoracic Surgery at Mount Sinai.

While completing his fellowship in Pittsburgh, Dr. Safdie was recognized with the STAR award by the Veterans Affair hospital system. He has also been the recipient of the Senior Surgery Resident Award, and Outstanding Research Award.

Speaking several languages, he is fluent in English, Italian, and Spanish.

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