Mark S. Bleiweis, MD, is board-certified in surgery, thoracic and cardiac surgery and congenital heart surgery. He graduated with distinction from Cornell University with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, and earned his medical degree from the University of California at San Diego. He served his general surgery residency at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, California; his thoracic surgery residency at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and his pediatric cardiothoracic surgery fellowship at the University of California San Francisco.

Since his arrival at the University of Florida in 2005, Dr. Bleiweis has been instrumental in expanding the center’s complement of pediatric cardiac specialists and making the UF Health Congenital Heart Center among the top centers in the country. Dr. Bleiweis’ cardiac team was the first in Florida to use the Berlin Heart® Ventricular Assist Device (a pediatric VAD), and the SynCardia® Total Artificial Heart. His team also was the first to use the SynCardia® Total Artificial Heart paired with the Freedom® portable driver for a pediatric patient.

Dr. Bleiweis has extensive experience in the pre- and postoperative management of newborns, including premature and low-birthweight babies. His expertise includes repairing complex, single-ventricle and valve defects, as well as treating patients who have underlying syndromes.

Prior to his UF appointment, Dr. Bleiweis was medical director of Children’s Hospital of Orange County Heart Institute in Orange, California. He also served as medical director of the cardiothoracic intensive care unit at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill.

In addition to his roles with the Congenital Heart Center, Dr. Bleiweis is a professor of surgery and pediatrics at UF, and serves as a mentor to students pursuing professions in the health care field. He is a widely sought speaker and was selected as the American Heart Association Heart Ball Honoree in February 2015.

Dr. Bleiweis’ professional memberships include the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, American Association of Thoracic Surgery, Southern Thoracic Surgical Association, Congenital Heart Surgeons Society, and International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation. He also is a founding member of the World Society for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery.