Dr. Hiesinger has completed his third year of General Surgery Residency and is currently a cardiovascular surgery research fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Y. Joseph Woo. His primary research focus is myocardial bioengineering and tissue mechanics. After completing his general surgery training, Will plans to pursue a career in academic cardiothoracic surgery.

• Alpha Omega Alpha
• American College of Surgeons

2009 - 2011
University of Pennsylvania
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Dr. Joseph Woo - Cardiovascular Research Laboratory
Research During Residency

06/2006 – 05/2007
University of Pennsylvania
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Dr. Joseph Woo
Description: Focus upon developing novel genetic, molecular, and cellular strategies for treating myocardial ischemia and heart failure.

05/2006 – 05/2007
University of Pennsylvania
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Dr. John Kucharczuk
Description: Evaluation of an orthopedic fixation technique using micro-fragment plates for stabilization of the sternum following open pectus repair. Evaluation of a thoracoabdominal approach for esophagectomy in the setting of prior abdominal or hiatal surgery.

06/2004 – 09/2004
University of Pennsylvania
Department of Neurosurgery, Dr. Douglas H. Smith
Description: Awarded an NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award to work in the laboratory of Dr. Smith. The laboratory investigates the cellular mechanisms of axon synthesis, biomechanical thresholds and resulting axonal ultra-structure and physiological changes based on the finding that rapid and sustained growth of integrated axon tracts can be induced through externally applied mechanical stretch.

Original Papers

1. Fitzpatrick JR, Frederick JR, Hiesinger W, Hsu VM, McCormick RC, Kozin ED, LaPorte CM, O’Hara ML, Howell E, Dougherty D, Cohen JE, Southerland KW, Howard JL, Paulson C, Acker MA, Morris RJ, Woo YJ. Early planned institution of biventricular mechanical circulatory support results in improved outcomes compared with delayed conversion of a left ventricular device to a biventricular device. J Thoracic and Cardiovasc Surg (accepted).
2. Atluri P, Hiesinger W, Kozin E, Woo YJ. Off-pump, minimally-invasive, and robotic coronary revascularization yield improved outcomes over traditional on-pump CABG. Intl J Medical Robotics and Computer Assisted Surgery. (accepted)
3. Atluri P, Hiesinger W, Gorman RC, Pochettino A, Jessup M, Acker MA, Morris RJ, Woo YJ. Cardiac retransplantation is an efficacious therapy for primary cardiac allograft failure. J Cardiothor Surg 2008;3:26-30.
4. Atluri P, Panlilio CM, Liao GP, Suarez EE, McCormick RC, Hiesinger W, Cohen JE, Smith MJ, Patel AB, Feng W, Woo YJ. Transmyocardial revascularization enhances myocardial vasculogenesis and hemodynamic function. J Thoracic Cardiovasc Surg 2008;135:283-291.
5. Atluri P, Morine KJ, Liao GP, Panlilio CM, Berry MF, Hsu VM, Hiesinger W, Cohen JE, Joseph Woo Y. Ischemic heart failure enhances endogenous myocardial apelin and APJ receptor expression. Cell Mol Biol Lett. 2007;12(1):127-38.

1. Cohen JE, Atluri P, Hiesinger W, McCormick R, Laporte C, Smith MJ, Hsu VM, Patel AB, Woo YJ. Cripto stimulates myocardial proliferation and enhances ventricular function in ischemic cardiomyopathy. American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, New Orleans LA, November 10, 2008.
2. Fitzpatrick JR, Frederick JR, Hiesinger W, McCormick RC, Hsu VM, Kozin ED, O’Hara ML, Howell E, Cohen JE, Southerland KW, Howard JL, Nacke EA, LaPorte CM, Jessup ML, Morris RJ, Acker MA, Woo YJ. Critical Preoperative Data Predict the Need for Concurrent LVAD and RVAD Implantation, Avoiding Poor Outcomes Associated with Delayed Conversion of LVAD to BiVAD. Western Thoracic Surgical Association 34th Annual Meeting, Kona Hawaii, June 25, 2008.
3. Hiesinger W, Vinogradov SA, Levit RD, Atluri P, Feng W, Tao J, McCormick RC, Patel AB, Smith MJ, Cohen JE, Suarez EE, Wilson DF, Woo YJ. Targeted endothelial progenitor cell therapy increases myocardial oxygen tissue pressure characterized in vivo using oxygen-dependent quenching of phosphorescence. Heart Failure Society of America 11th Annual Meeting, September 16, 2007.
4. Atluri P, Hiesinger W, Gorman RC, Pochettino A, Acker MA, Morris RJ, Woo YJ. Cardiac retransplantation is an efficacious therapy for primary cardiac allograft failure. Western Thoracic Surgical Association. June 27, 2007.
5. Atluri P, Suarez EE, Liao GP, Panlilio CM, Hye JB, Hiesinger W, Cohen JE, Smith MJ, Levit RD, Woo YJ. Transmyocardial Revascularization Enhances Myocardial Vasculogenesis and Hemodynamic Function. The American Association For Thoracic Surgery 87th Annual Meeting, C. Walton Lillehei Resident Competition. May 5-9, 2007.