HOUSTON, TX (February 11, 2025) — Baylor College of Medicine is pleased to announce that Gustavo Oderich, MD, has joined the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery as the chief of the Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy, director of the new Baylor Medicine Center for Aortic Surgery and a member of The Texas Heart Institute at Baylor College of Medicine. A world-renowned authority in minimally invasive endovascular techniques, Oderich continues the legacy of pioneering surgeons such as Drs. E. Stanley Crawford, Michael E. DeBakey, Denton Cooley and Joseph Coselli.

Known for his pioneering work in minimally invasive techniques, Oderich is a global leader in the development and use of fenestrated and branched stent grafts to treat complex aortic aneurysms. He follows the leadership of Dr. Joseph L. Mills, immediate past president of the Society for Vascular Surgery, whose dedication to advancing vascular care and mentoring the next generation of surgeons has left a lasting impact on the division.

“Dr. Oderich’s arrival marks an exciting new chapter for the Center. His groundbreaking contributions to minimally invasive vascular surgery and his leadership in aortic disease research continue the legacy of excellence established by the pioneers of our institution,” said Joseph G. Rogers, MD, Director of The Texas Heart Institute at Baylor College of Medicine.  “With his expertise, we are poised to further advance innovative treatments that will improve patient outcomes and shape the future of vascular surgery.”

With over 7,000 open and endovascular repairs, including more than 2,000 endovascular aortic repairs (EVARs)/thoracic endovascular aortic repairs (TEVARs), and 900 fenestrated-branched endovascular repairs (FB-EVARs), Oderich’s expertise spans two decades at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where he served as immediate past chair of vascular and endovascular surgery. He has also served as professor and chief of vascular and endovascular surgery clinical director for the Advanced Endovascular Aortic Program at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston – McGovern Medical School. During his tenure at the Mayo Clinic, Oderich led the Mayo Clinic Aortic Center program, known for its innovative endovascular repair techniques and significant reductions in mortality and morbidity compared to open surgical repair outcomes.

Oderich’s practice encompasses a wide range of vascular conditions, including carotid, supra-aortic trunk, renal and mesenteric artery diseases, as well as the multidisciplinary care of patients with connective tissue disorders such as Marfan’s, Loeys-Dietz Syndrome and Vascular Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.

“I am honored to join Baylor College of Medicine and The Texas Heart Institute, and to be part of an institution with such a rich legacy of surgical excellence and innovation,” said Oderich. “I look forward to collaborating with outstanding colleagues to advance patient care, education, and research in vascular surgery.”

His contributions to the field are well recognized through over 950 publications, including 460 peer-reviewed articles, 140 book chapters, 330 abstracts and 23 letters and editorials. He is the editor of a landmark textbook, “Endovascular Aortic Repair: Current techniques in fenestrated, branched and parallel grafts.” Oderich serves as the Global Principal Investigator for two ongoing trials assessing industry-manufactured fenestrated and branched grafts. He is a sought-after speaker and lecturer who has delivered more than 690 lectures worldwide, such as at Harvard, Stanford, Dartmouth, Karolinska Institute and the University of Paris.

Oderich received his MD from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul and residency program at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine with vascular surgery fellowships at Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine.

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