Carl L. Backer, MD

As a pediatric heart surgeon, I specialize in operations involving congenital malformations of the heart. I have a special interest in children with vascular rings, where the aorta or its branches form a compressing ring around the trachea and the esophagus. This condition often requires surgery to treat breathing and swallowing issues.

I’m also the Chief of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery at Kentucky Children’s Hospital, which is part of the Joint Heart Program. The Joint Heart Program is a collaboration between Cincinnati Children’s and Kentucky Children’s Hospital, and our goal is to make sure children have access to the best possible heart care, close to home.

I was initially inspired to pursue a career in medicine by my father, who was an eye surgeon. I was further motivated to be a heart surgeon by my experience at the Mayo Clinic, when I was a medical student.

I take care of each patient as if they were my own son or daughter, and by following the motto of the Mayo brothers: “The best interest of the patient is the only interest to be followed.”

With over 35 years of experience, I have performed over 6,000 congenital heart procedures. I pay very close attention to every detail of each operation. Regarding vascular ring patients I have personally operated on more than 300 children, written over 30 book chapters and scientific articles, and presented over 50 invited presentations and guest lectures.

I am currently President of the Mayo Alumni Association (2019 to 2023), Director on the American Board of Thoracic Surgery (2017 to 2024), and co-editor of the textbook Pediatric Cardiac Surgery. I also served as President of the Congenital Heart Surgeons Society from 2016 to 2018.

When I am not working, I spend several weeks each year with my family in Telluride, Colorado. We ski in the winter and hike, jeep and golf in the summer. We also enjoy time in the summer with extended family on the island of Nantucket.