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Dr. Vaughn Starnes, MD

Dr. Vaughn Starnes, MD

Congenital Cardiac Surgery*
45+ years of experience

Dr. Vaughn Starnes, MD is a congenital cardiac surgery specialist in Los Angeles, CA and has over 45 years of experience in the medical field. Dr. Starnes has extensive experience in Cardiac Surgical Procedures and Aortic Aneurysm or Dissection. He graduated from University of North Carolina School of Medicine in 1977. He is affiliated with Keck Hospital of USC. He is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments.

5 Star Rating
Based on 16 reviews 5 Star Rating (16 reviews)

Practice

1520 San Pablo St Ste 4300 Los Angeles, CA 90033
Telehealth available

Make an Appointment

(323) 442-5849

At a Glance

  • Areas of Expertise
    Dr. Starnes specializes in the areas of Congenital Cardiac Surgery & Thoracic Cardiovascular Surgery. • See board certifications
  • Explains Conditions Well
    Patients said this doctor explains conditions well. • See reviews
  • Offers Telehealth
    This doctor offers telehealth appointments. Call the office to schedule an appointment.
  • Practices at Top Hospital
    Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ • See hospitals
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Dr. Starnes' Reviews

Likelihood to recommend Dr. Starnes

5.0
16 ratings, 6 with a written review
5 star
100%
100%
4 star
0%
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3 star
0%
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2 star
0%
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1 star
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Aortic repair
I actually had my repair done in 2008 ! And I am still doing great. Dr. Starnes repaired a double arotic aneurism at USC. I have had a heart problem since birth, however Dr. Starnes being a congenital heart expert made my repairs. I had 2-3 surgeries before USC at Boston Children's hospial when I was a child. In 2008 as an adult I trusted Dr. Starnes and USC to fix my aorta. Although my visit was a few years ago I never had a chance for this review. Please accept this as my many thanks to the good doctor and his team. John Maddalo
What went well
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
No results
2 others found this helpful
Helpful
john m maddalo – Jan 24, 2023
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Dr. Starnes performed surgery on me back in 2001. I had a aneurysm and a Aorta valve that we thought was going to have to be replaced. This amazing doctor was able to repair my valve and to this day almost 20 years later I have not had to have any other proceedings for this illness. His staff was outstanding they worked with me and explained everything and believe me I wasn’t the easiest patient to work with. I was very lucky that my cardiologist was able to get Dr. Stearns to perform this surgery. The amazing thing is that there has not been any problems for 20 years he is the best and I mean the best. Thank you to Dr. Starnes and his staff. Truly Doug Janney
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
5 others found this helpful
Helpful
Doug Janney – Jun 28, 2020
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On 2/28/18, Dr. Starnes and his surgical team saved my daughter's life. She was supposed to have her aortic valve replaced with a mechanical valve, but Dr. Starnes was able to perform his magic and repair her valve rather than replace it, which means no Coumadin (she is only 28 and wants a family). He also replaced her aortic root with a Dacron graft due to an aneurysm. We can't thank Dr. Starnes and his surgical team enough for giving our daughter a new lease on life! He is our hero!
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
6 others found this helpful
Helpful
J. Wood in Chino Hills, CA – Mar 29, 2018
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Gives you max confidence in his skill & knowledge
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
No results
2 others found this helpful
Helpful
Lonnie from Morro Bay in morro bay ca – Mar 09, 2018
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Dr. Starnes is the best........he was the only thoracic surgeon who knew I had two issues, an aneurysm that needed repair and a new valve. After going to surgeons at Scripps, Eisenhower and Cedar Sinai He knew what needed to be done. None of the other surgeons didn't address the problem Thank you Dr. Starnes you are the best
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
No results
3 others found this helpful
Helpful
sharon levy in Oceanside – Feb 27, 2018
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My heart was touched by your courage and ability to remain unusually calm in otherwise dramatic production. Your skill and expertise gives hope to so many young people suffering with tetralogy of fallout. For you to have successfully performed surgery all while performing for an audience on one. I salute you, Dr. Starnes. Job well done. Aloha, Jill Ann
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
1 other person found this helpful
Helpful
Melissa Filet in Kailua Kona, HI – May 06, 2017
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Leave a review

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Know Before You Go

About Me

biography

Dr. Vaughn Starnes, MD is a congenital cardiac surgery specialist in Los Angeles, CA and has over 45 years of experience in the medical field. Dr. Starnes has extensive experience in Cardiac Surgical Procedures and Aortic Aneurysm or Dissection....read more

  • Congenital Cardiac Surgery

  • Cardiothoracic Surgery

*Healthgrades does not verify qualifications for medical specialties. Please verify your provider's specialty and qualifications directly with your provider and applicable medical board.

  • Stanford University|vanderbilt University

    Residency Hospital, 1986

  • University Of North Carolina Hospitals

    Fellowship Hospital, 1986

  • Vanderbilt University

    Internship Hospital, 1978

  • University Of North Carolina School Of Medicine

    Medical School, 1977
American Board of Medical Specialties®
American Board of Thoracic Surgery®
- 
Congenital Cardiac Surgery
- 
Thoracic Cardiovascular Surgery
For detailed information about any of the below board actions, please search for the provider's records on the linked state licensing board or the Federation of State Medical Boards. To learn more about the difference between these sources, please refer to our FAQs.
Healthgrades has not received any data indicating a board action exists for this provider.

Healthgrades receives board action history for physicians and physician assistants. The information displayed here is sourced from independent information providers, such as state board websites, and may not be the most up-to-date information. Healthgrades makes no representations with respect to the accuracy of any information provided here and assumes no responsibility or liability for such information.

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Focus on ATTR-CM

Locations

Practice

Los Angeles County USC Medical Center1520 San Pablo St Ste 4300 Los Angeles, CA 90033
1

Practice

Keck Hospital of USC1500 San Pablo St Los Angeles, CA 90033
2

Practice

Children's Hospital Los Angeles4650 W Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90027
3

Affiliated Hospitals

  • Keck Hospital of USC

    1500 San Pablo St
    Los Angeles, CA 90033
    Recipient of 5
    hospital awards

    Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ (2024, 2023)

    Top in the nation for overall patient experience based on nine measures related to doctor and nurse communication, hospital cleanliness and noise levels, and medication and post-discharge care instructions

    View all awards

    How patients felt about the care they received at this hospital.

    89%
    Patients said they were given information about recovering at home

    5% higher than the national average

    81%
    Patients would recommend the hospital to friends and family

    16% higher than the national average

    View all patient feedback
Learn more about how Healthgrades measures Hospital Quality