Garrett Coyan, MD, MS

Dr. Coyan is a congenital heart surgeon and Assistant Professor in the Division of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Vanderbilt University. He specializes in the surgical treatment of the entire spectrum of congenital heart diseases across the lifespan including neonates, children, and adults. Dr. Coyan has particular interests in vascular ring and vascular compression surgery, heart failure and mechanical circulatory support, heart valve repair, tracheal reconstruction, and neonatal heart surgery. He believes in fostering a comprehensive positive care experience for both the patients he treats and their families.

Dr. Coyan’s clinical expertise is complemented by his active involvement in research focused on cardiovascular disease, medical device development, and regenerative medicine. Dr. Coyan runs an active translational clinical laboratory focused on cardiovascular disease capable of medical device and therapy testing in a variety of models. His passion for driving innovation in healthcare underscores his commitment to improving patient outcomes. Dr. Coyan serves as a cofounder and consultant to multiple medical device start-ups as part of his academic work. These entrepreneurial roles highlight his dedication to advancing medical technology and fostering multidisciplinary collaboration to address complex healthcare challenges especially those in young patients with congenital heart disease.

Beyond his clinical and entrepreneurial work, Dr. Coyan is deeply committed to mentorship, working closely with students and trainees in health sciences to share his expertise and champion innovation. His contributions to congenital cardiac care, research, and entrepreneurial initiatives position him as a leader in clinical practice and medical technology development.

Education

• BS, Biochemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich., 2009
• MS, Clinical Research, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, Kan., 2013
  MD, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, Kan., 2014
  Graduate Certificate in Medical Product Innovation, University of Pittsburgh, 2019

Postdoctoral Training

• Postdoctoral Fellowship (Cardiovascular Engineering), McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine,  Pittsburgh, 2017-2019
• Residency (Cardiothoracic Surgery), University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, 2014-2022
• Fellowship (Congenital Cardiac Surgery), Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, 2022-2023