About Us
Welcome to NorthStarr Cardiothoracic Surgery, a cohesive, independent group practice dedicated to providing expert, quality cardiac and thoracic surgery care in Anchorage, Alaska. Our core values are compassion, clinical excellence, and service to our patients. We align the knowledge, experience, and best practices of our multidisciplinary team to deliver the most compassionate and advanced care to our patients and their loved ones.
Vision
Our team of highly trained physicians, with over 35 years of collective experience, was brought together from across the country to deliver exceptional care in Alaska. We have dedicated our lives and careers to helping those we serve and advancing the field of cardiothoracic surgery. NorthStarr Cardiothoracic Surgery is committed to providing expert, quality cardiac and thoracic surgery care.
Values
Compassion, clinical excellence, and service to our patients are the core values that guide our work. Our goal is to deliver the most compassionate and advanced care to our patients and their loved ones by aligning the knowledge, experience, and best practices of our multidisciplinary team.
History
Our unique name is a testament to Dr. Albert Starr, the founder of our parent organization, Starrwood Cardiothoracic Surgery, and the brightest star in the Ursa Minor constellation, the North Star. During his career, Dr. Starr made many great contributions to the field of cardiothoracic surgery, including developing the world’s first durable artificial heart valve implantation in 1960. Since its inception, the surgeons at NorthStarr Cardiothoracic Surgery have committed their careers to bringing world-class cardiothoracic surgical care using the latest technology and techniques to Alaska.
Awards and Recognition
NorthStarr Cardiothoracic Surgery became the exclusive provider of cardiac and thoracic surgery services at Providence Alaska Medical Center (PAMC) in September, 2018. Since that transition, the surgeons and physician assistants at NorthStarr Cardiothoracic Surgery have completely transformed the cardiothoracic surgery (CTS) program at Providence Alaska Medical Center (PAMC), placing it in the top 3% of cardiac surgery programs in the country for quality and safety. In 2023, the CTS program at PAMC received “3-Star” ratings from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons in three separate and distinct operative categories.
The Society’s database is the world’s premier clinical outcomes registry for cardiac surgery, representing more than 95% of the groups that perform cardiac surgery in the United States. The “3-Star” rating is the highest category of quality and represents outcomes that are significantly above-average.
For adult cardiac surgery, there are five possible categories in which programs can receive a star rating. PAMC was eligible in four of the five categories, earning the coveted “3-Star” ratings for its exceptional performance in coronary artery bypass grafting, combined aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting, and mitral valve replacement/repair.
For PAMC to receive three stars in any one category would be an above average achievement. To receive three stars in three categories is exceptional. Only 29 programs in the country received three or more “3-Star” ratings in 2023, placing the PAMC cardiac surgery program in the top 3% of all (~1,100) cardiac surgery programs in the nation.
More about STS ratings
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Three-Star Rating program is a prestigious recognition that highlights excellence in the field of cardiac surgery. Established to assess and promote quality in patient care, this rating is awarded to hospitals that meet rigorous standards for surgical performance and outcomes.
Achievements associated with the Three-Star Rating include improved patient safety, enhanced surgical techniques, and a commitment to ongoing quality improvement. Hospitals that receive this designation demonstrate their dedication to providing exceptional care, which ultimately leads to better patient outcomes and increased trust within the communities they serve.
This program not only sets a benchmark for surgical excellence but also fosters collaboration among healthcare professionals to continually advance the standards of thoracic surgery.
Community Outreach
At NorthStarr Cardiothoracic Surgery, we like to stay connected to those we serve. We support organizations with similar goals and ideas, and we join in the missions of good health and prevention of cardiovascular disease.