Yishay Orr, MD, PhD, FRACS

Yishay Orr, MD, PhD, FRACS, is a board-certified congenital heart surgeon and Assistant Professor of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She specializes in complex neonatal and infant congenital heart surgical procedures, including single ventricle palliation, coronary artery anomalies, heart transplantation, and adult congenital heart disease. Dr. Orr is dedicated to innovation, patient-centered care, and improving outcomes for children and adults with congenital heart disease.

Previously, Dr. Orr served as Deputy Head of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, where she developed clinical practice models for pediatric heart transplantation and slide tracheoplasty. Her leadership roles included contributing to development of regional Pediatric Cardiac Services Models of Care and the 2024 Australian National Standards of Care for Childhood-onset Heart Disease. Her work extended geographically as she participated in humanitarian cardiac surgery missions with Open Heart International and Healing Little Hearts, providing life-saving care to children in underserved regions worldwide.

Dr. Orr is deeply committed to mentoring future congenital heart surgeons. She has guided numerous fellows, graduate students, and medical students, fostering their development and advancing the field of pediatric cardiac surgery. Her expertise in complex congenital procedures, dedication to education, and global outreach efforts solidify her role as a leader in pediatric cardiac surgery.

Education

MBBS, BSc (Med) Honours Class I, University of New South Wales, 1999

Postdoctoral Training

• PhD, University of New South Wales School of Medical Sciences, 2008
• Residency (General Surgery), Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, Australia, 2006
• Residency (Vascular Surgery), Wollongong Hospital, Wollongong, Australia, 2007
• Residency (Cardiothoracic Surgery), Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Royal Perth Hospital & St. Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, Australia, 2011
• Fellowship (Pediatric Cardiac Surgery), The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, Australia, 2012
• Fellowship (Congenital Heart Surgery), Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, 2013