Valerie Gann, PA-C, is a physician assistant with over two decades of experience specializing in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. She follows and manages the care of cardiothoracic surgical patients. She also assists in cardiothoracic surgeries and endoscopic vein harvests. She completed her undergraduate coursework at Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis, MO with a triple major in mathematics, chemistry and biology. She also holds a Master’s degree in Cardiac Physiology from the University of Missouri-Columbia and completed her Surgical Physician Assistant training at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. Valerie holds the strong belief that cardiac surgery is a team effort. “The patient goes through the healthcare process, from seeing primary care to cardiology to cardiac surgery. There are many steps within that process and many healthcare providers working for a primary goal of getting the patient better and healthy with a concerted effort. That teamwork is one of the reasons I enjoy medicine so much. It brings me back to my earlier days of participating in sports.” Not only does she enjoy working with her fellow peers, but she gets great gratification in being able to help her patients. “Some patients don’t even realize how much they might have been limiting their activities and compensating with their heart disease - that it became their normal. Seeing them following surgery, they feel as if they have a new lease on life.” Originally from Sullivan, Missouri, Valerie enjoys spending time with family and two Pomeranians, Maggie and Sassy, traveling, gardening and practicing her culinary skills in her free time. She also is active in promoting heart health within the community and participates in American Heart Association activities.