Steubenville, Ohio—December 18, 2025–Trinity Health System, a member of CommonSpirit Health, is pleased to welcome Dr. Akhila Yarramneni, a highly accomplished and board-certified Cardiothoracic Surgeon, to the Ohio Valley community!
Dr. Yarramneni brings a wealth of experience and expertise in treating complex conditions of the heart and chest. She is certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery (since 2013) and the American Board of Surgery (since 2009).
Before joining our community, Dr. Yarramneni built a distinguished career practicing at several reputable hospitals and medical centers. Her experience includes:
- Commonwealth Health – Regional Hospital of Scranton, Pennsylvania
- Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, Pennsylvania
- Skillman Cardiothoracic Surgery LLC at Jersey City Medical Center, New Jersey
Dr. Yarramneni completed specialized Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowships at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York and UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey. She further refined her skills with an Advanced Cardiac Surgery Fellowship focusing on Minimally Invasive techniques at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York.
Dr. Yarramneni is a member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) and has delivered invited lectures and presentations on topics such as Infective Endocarditis, Aortic Root Abscess, and Valve Embolization during TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement).
Fluent in English, Hindi, and Telugu, Dr. Yarramneni is dedicated to providing compassionate and world-class surgical care to all her patients.
We asked Dr. Yarramneni several questions about her background, experience, and goals as a specialist. Here are her responses:
What is your background and experience?
Dr. Yarramneni: Regarding professional background, I’m a cardiothoracic surgeon who is dedicated to treating complex heart and lung conditions. After completing my medical school, I did my general surgery residency at the University of South Alabama. I then pursued advanced specialty training in cardiothoracic surgery at University of Rochester Medical Center, which is one of the nation’s leading hospitals.
My practice encompasses a wide range of procedures, from open heart surgeries to advanced thoracic operations, which are all aimed at restoring health and improving the quality of life for patients with cardiopulmonary disease.
What motivated you to go into this specialty?
Dr. Yarramneni: My passion for this field developed during my surgical rotation in medical school. I vividly recall caring for patients with valvular heart disease, where surgical intervention was often their only hope for recovery, so witnessing the immediate and transformative results of the valve repair and replacement was profoundly gratifying to me, and that solidified my commitment to cardiovascular surgery.
What is your philosophy of patient care?
Dr. Yarramneni: I believe that comprehensive patient care extends far beyond diagnosis and intervention. It requires conducting a thorough evaluation identifying the underlying condition, delivering the most appropriate treatment, whether it’s surgical or medical, and providing the highest standard of care throughout the patient’s journey. Equally important is guiding patients through lifestyle modifications and offering compassionate support to them.
What do you try to achieve when forming a relationship with one of your patients?
Dr. Yarramneni: In my opinion, empathy, trust, and knowledge are the pillars of a strong patient and physician relationship. I take time to explain the conditions very clearly to them, encourage questions, and foster an open dialogue that builds trust. Above all, I strive to ensure that every interaction is grounded in empathy, recognizing that compassion can be as healing as clinical expertise.
How do you hope to impact the Ohio Valley and our patient community?
Dr. Yarramneni: I specialize in treating a broad spectrum of heart and lung diseases. My work includes open heart surgery for coronary artery disease, which addresses the blockages in the vessels supplying the heart. Also, I perform valve repairs and replacements, which restore the function and improve the outcomes for patients with valvular heart disease.
Furthermore, I perform transcatheter aortic valve replacement, which is usually performed collaboratively with a dedicated team of cardiologists for patients who are not suitable for traditional surgery. I also perform operations for atrial fibrillation and aneurysm repair, aortic dissections, and for ruptured aortas.
Finally, I perform thoracic procedures for lung cancer, spontaneous pneumothorax, pleural effusions, and emphysema.
Through this breadth of expertise, I aim to contribute meaningfully to the community by combining advanced surgical skills with compassionate care.
With all of the latest breakthroughs in cardiovascular surgery, what excites you the most?
Dr. Yarramneni: As you said, cardiovascular surgery is evolving very rapidly with breakthroughs that continue to transform patient care. At Trinity Health System, we currently perform the TAVR procedures, which offer minimally invasive solutions for patients with aortic valve disease.
Looking ahead, our team of cardiologists and surgeons hope to expand these transcatheter interventions to include other valves like mitral and tricuspid valves, which further advance innovative, patient-centered care.
Women are entering the medical field at record rates. As a female cardiovascular surgeon, how do you hope to inspire young women who have an interest in health care careers?
Dr. Yarramneni: As a medical student, I was profoundly inspired by the story of a woman surgeon I read about in the newspaper. I never met her, unfortunately, but her dedication and the impact she was having on patients left a lasting impression and fueled my own commitment to medicine.
Today, I carry that same inspiration forward by mentoring medical students who are eager to explore cardiovascular surgery. I try to create an encouraging environment during their rotations, offering guidance and hands-on opportunities to deepen their understanding of the field.
In particular, I’m committed to supporting young female students entering medicine, helping them pursue their ambitions with confidence, sharing my experiences to navigate the challenges, and fostering inclusivity so they know their voices are vital for the future of healthcare.
Anything else you’d like to say by way of introduction to our community?
Dr. Yarramneni: I’m truly thankful for the opportunity to serve this community. It’s both a privilege and a responsibility to care for the patients and to be entrusted with their health, especially in the field of cardiothoracic surgery.
I am committed to providing exceptional care, combining advanced surgical expertise with compassion, empathy, and trust, so that every patient feels supported and valued throughout their journey.
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Trinity Health System thanks Dr. Yarramneni for taking the time to introduce herself to the community and to share her insights about the exciting breakthroughs in cardiothoracic surgery. We welcome her to the Ohio Valley.