Q and A: Dr. Jean Panneton
The internationally recognized expert in complex aortic reconstruction joins UHealth – University of Miami Health System as the co-director of the UHealth Comprehensive Aortic Center.
Jean M. Panneton, M.D., is an internationally recognized expert in complex aortic reconstruction, a surgeon known for leading teams through some of the most difficult procedures in vascular care with calm precision and steady leadership. He’s also a lifelong boater who has captained his vessel for thousands of miles, navigating rivers, coasts and open water with the same confidence he brings to the operating room.
Now, as the newly appointed co-cirector of the Comprehensive Aortic Center at UHealth — University of Miami Health System, Dr. Panneton is charting a new course, this time to help steer South Florida’s first dedicated center of excellence for aortic care.
After building a nationally respected vascular and aortic program in Virginia, Dr. Panneton brings deep experience and international stature to the growing UHealth vascular team. Known for his down-to-earth approach, passion for complex vascular surgery and decades spent training the next generation, Dr. Panneton will work to further expand UHealth’s capabilities and reputation in advanced aortic treatment.
We spoke with Dr. Panneton about his philosophy of care, why he chose UHealth and what he envisions for the future of aortic surgery in Miami.
How did you come to specialize in endovascular surgery?
Vascular is the most fascinating of all the surgical specialties. The variety and the complexity of what we treat, especially with the endovascular component, requires innovation and creativity.
It’s also a specialty where you manage patients for decades. When we treat vascular patients, you’re not cured. You’re fixed, and I’ve had the privilege to follow patients for 20 years. This extended follow-up gives us the chance to really get to know our patients and their families.
Tell us about some of your career highlights?
I received my general and vascular surgery training in Montreal, and I was very lucky to train afterwards at the Mayo Clinic and had great mentors there. They liked me so much they offered me a job. This is where I got my first teaching awards and became an associate professor of surgery, as well as director of clinical research for the vascular division.
I try to be down to earth with my patients and their families, relate to who they are, what they do, and be at their level to gain their trust, their confidence, and ensure them that I’ll be taking care of them like they’re my own family.
Dr. Jean Panneton
The second chapter of my career is when I became chief of vascular surgery and program director at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia. I expanded the training program to 14 residents and fellows, which is a lot in vascular, and co-directed the aortic center. Building a nationally recognized program has been a highlight. Now, coming to the University of Miami to lead aortic care jointly with my cardiac and vascular colleagues, will definitely be another one.
How do you envision your role within the aorta team, both in the operating room and in shaping the program’s long-term strategy?
As co-director of the Aortic Center, you have to engage all providers from multiple specialties. So it’s basically like a team sport to ensure success. You have to be very collegial, and at the same time be a leader and share your vision of what you are trying to build.
The short-term strategy is to build a center of excellence for aortic care for the South Florida population and, ultimately, the long-term strategy will be for the Americas. This is where patients will want to come for their aortic care.
What drew you to UHealth and, specifically, to join its aorta team at this stage of your career?
I consider myself a program builder. I built a very strong training program and aortic program in Virginia. I love a challenge, and I always thought Miami was such a paradox — having a dense population but no dedicated aortic center.
The University of Miami will be the only academic vascular program in South Florida. There’s already a strong vascular division and I thought the population here deserved to have a center of excellence for aortic care. I think the missing piece was to get a national-level aortic surgeon. It’s a win for all.
You’ve described yourself as a blue-collar vascular surgeon. What does that phrase mean to you and how does it show up in the way you care for patients every day?
I’m just dedicated to taking care of people. I try to be down to earth with my patients and their families, relate to who they are, what they do, and be at their level to gain their trust, their confidence, and ensure them that I’ll be taking care of them like they’re my own family.
I love the challenge. Complex reconstructions require you to be fast, calm and creative.
Dr. Jean Panneton, on complex surgical cases
You’re often described as a bit of a celebrity in aortic surgery circles. How do you stay grounded while working in such a high-profile and high-risk area of vascular care?
I’m pretty sure that I’m not a celebrity, but I’m known nationally and worldwide for what I’ve accomplished over the last 30 years. Being a surgeon, especially doing very complex aortic reconstruction, is a humbling job. I’ve seen the problems of narcissism and arrogance — it can happen — but that is not how I live and operate.
As someone deeply involved in training, what do you most want your residents and fellows to take away from working with you on the aorta team?
I have a deep passion for teaching and training. It’s been a constant for 30 years, especially the last 20 as a program director. The role isn’t just about teaching techniques. You shape the curriculum, mentor trainees, support their well-being and ultimately decide if they’re ready to practice on their own.
What I want most is for them to feel and care for their patients. You can be technically very good, but that’s not enough. Patients need somebody who will go to bat for them and do their utmost best. That’s what I model and want them to learn.
What procedures do you plan to focus on here?
I’m known across the country and the world for endovascular arch reconstruction and complex aortic repair, especially thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic repair. My research has focused on aortic dissection and post-dissection aneurysm. Procedures include TEVARs and FEVARs, fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repairs. I’ve also been recognized internationally for laser in situ fenestration of arch and visceral vessels. I still have an interest and expertise in traditional open vascular surgery, as well.
What draws you to these complicated cases?
I love the challenge. Complex reconstructions require you to be fast, calm and creative. You need good hands, but also quick hands, and I’m blessed with that. You need to have a very calm demeanor in the O.R. Even if there’s a rupture and somebody is trying to die on you, you have to absolutely stay in control or you can’t lead effectively.
Complex cases also require creativity. That’s where the art of surgery shines the most. Of course, with complex surgery comes risks and bad outcomes and that takes its toll. But that’s part of the whole package of being a surgeon.
Outside the operating room, what are you most looking forward to about life in Miami?
People who know me always ask if I came by boat. I love boating and fishing. When I moved from the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota to Virginia, I took my boat down the Mississippi River, across the Gulf of Mexico and around Florida. I plan to bring my boat down this spring and start exploring the Caribbean Islands. That’s a dream of mine.
I’ve also done a dozen mission trips to Ecuador with Medical Ministry International, doing surgery on about 100 patients over a couple of weeks every year. Once I’m settled, I’d like to get back to doing that in Central and South America. Coming from a multicultural city like Montreal, I look forward to immerse myself in the cultural diversity that Miami offers.
Tags: Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Dr. Jean Panneton, TEVAR, vascular health, vascular surgery