Derek Brinster

Dr. Brinster is devoted to improving patient outcomes in cardiac surgery. He is the Director of Aortic Surgery for the Northwell Health System. The Northwell Health System is the largest health care system in New York State, and the seventh largest in the country.

Dr. Brinster completed his undergraduate, medical school, and general surgery training with honors at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Upon completion of his general surgery training, Dr. Brinster went to Harvard Medical School’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital for cardiothoracic surgery training. During this period, he became trained in complex cardiac surgery and minimally invasive valve reconstruction. 

Dr. Brinster joined the Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia as the Director of Aortic Surgery. The aortic program developed innovative and minimally invasive techniques to provide advanced aortic care with reduced morbidity to patients. The program rapidly expanded and became a regional and national referral site for complex aortic disease pathology. 

Dr. Brinster also led the development of the Heart Valve Program in which he was the Surgical Director of the Structural Heart Valve Program. Dr. Brinster was promoted to full Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. 

In July 2014, Dr. Brinster joined the Northwell Health System to lead the Aortic Surgery program. Dr. Brinster directs the Center for Aortic Disease with the mission of delivering advanced, compassionate care of aortic disease that promotes improved healthcare outcomes.

Dr. Brinster had published extensively on multiple topics in cardiac surgery, has been awarded “Top Doc” by his peers, and is the member of multiple surgical and professional societies.