Theodore C. Koutlas, MD

Dr. Theodore C. Koutlas is a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon with a focus on the repair of congenital heart disease in children and adults, as well as acquired cardiac disease in adults. This includes coronary bypass surgery, cardiac valve repair/replacement surgery, and complex re-operative cardiac surgery. Dr. Koutlas graduated from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, then received his Medical Degree from the University of Washington. He completed General Surgery training at the University of Cincinnati, including a Research Fellowship with the Department of Surgery at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Koutlas then completed a Residency in Cardiothoracic Surgery at Duke University, followed by a Fellowship in Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. After completing his residencies Dr. Koutlas held a tenured faculty teaching position in the Departments of Surgery and Pediatrics at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. From 2002 – 2013 he was the Director of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery there. He joined Northwest Heart and Lung Surgical Associates in January of 2014. Dr. Koutlas has served on numerous distinguished professional boards and committees, participated in clinical research, and has had over 20 publications in peer-reviewed medical journals. Since 2000, Dr. Koutlas has also led cardiac surgical teams in mission trips to Nicaragua, under the auspices of Project Health for León. His extensive professional experience also includes 14 years of service in the U.S. Army Reserve, where he rose to the rank of Colonel. He had 4 deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, and acted as the Chief of Surgery of several Combat Support Hospitals and Forward Surgical Teams during his time overseas. When away from his hospital activities, Dr. Koutlas is usually spending time with his family. He enjoys outdoor activities, especially hunting, fly fishing, and boating.