Skip to main content
2025 Annual Clinical Assembly (ACA) Main banner

Francis P. Sutter, DO, FACOS (he/him/his)

Campus Chief Cardiac Surgery
Lankenau Medical Center
Thomas Jefferson Medical College, Jefferson University, Philadelphia

Francis Sutter A Philadelphia native Francis P. Sutter, DO, is Chief, Cardiac Surgery at practice to Lankenau Medical Center, Wynnewood, PA. He is a graduate of LaSalle University & Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed both his surgical and cardiothoracic residency at Thomas Jefferson University and is a Professor of Surgery at Sidney Kimmel Medical College, TJU. His cardiothoracic journey began at Deborah Heart & Lung Center in Browns Mills NJ. With a notable career spanning nearly 4 decades, Fran Sutter has made significant contributions to the field of cardiac surgery, particularly in robotic coronary bypass and beating heart surgery. Dr Sutter has pioneered minimally invasive techniques using the da Vinci robot, which has revolutionized patient care with a sternal sparing approach to conventional coronary bypass surgery. His robotic CABGs are performed through a 1. 5" incision, with the heart beating, a method that significantly reduces recovery time, decreases risk of stroke, the need for blood transfusion and improves satisfaction for patients and referring cardiologists. He has successfully performed over 3, 000 robotic assisted procedures since 2005. He is a contributor to medical literature with publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals and authored book chapters. His publications include quality improvement initiatives, beating heart and robotic outcomes; he is proud of his "How I DO It" article, describing his technique to surgeons who want to pursue robotic assisted coronary artery bypass surgery. He is recognized nationally and internationally and is a noted lecturer. Dr Sutter is a recipient of the Roland Holroyd Award presented to a distinguished physician, as a graduate of LaSalle, received the O. J. Snyder Memorial Medal recognizing leadership and service to the osteopathic profession presented by PCOM and, in 2023 he received a Presidential Citation from the AOA.

Presentation(s):