Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery, HPV and Throat Cancer

First Physicians Group | April 2026

SMH HealthCasts with FPG Cardiovascular Surgeon, Jonathan Hoffberger, DO

Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery and the SMH Heart Team Approach

HealthCasts Season 8, Episode 4 with FPG Cardiovascular Surgeon, Jonathan Hoffberger, DO

Minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) is one of the techniques used by cardiac surgeons to repair or replace valves, including the mitral valve. While the procedure has a shorter recovery time than the traditional sternotomy, it is still an open heart operation, and not the same as the minimally invasive techniques used by interventional cardiologists. SMH Chief of Cardiovascular Surgery and FPG Cardiovascular Surgeon Jonathan Hoffberger, DO, explains the different options, and how the heart team approach helps to pair the right patient with the right procedure.

(Video) DIEP Flap Reconstruction

For patients who’ve faced breast cancer, it’s important they know all of their options if they choose to have reconstructive surgery. FPG Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon Justin Bryant, DO, explains what DIEP flap reconstructive surgery is, and why it benefits so many patients.

Hear More from Dr. Bryant

The Connection Between HPV and Throat Cancer

HPV, or human papillomavirus, is a common sexually transmitted disease that has long been connected with increased chance of cervical cancer in women. But did you know that HPV has also been shown to cause oral and throat cancers too?

With incidences of these HPV-related oral and throat cancers on the rise, we spoke with Peter Vosler, MD, a board-certified head and neck surgeon specializing in complex head and neck cancers, to learn more.

Sarasota Memorial Enrolls First Patient in Novel Clinical Trial for the Treatment of Papillary Thyroid Cancer

Sarasota Memorial Health Care System (SMH) has enrolled the first patient in a clinical study evaluating the safety and effectiveness of a novel, minimally invasive treatment for papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) using Pulse Biosciences’ nPulse™ technology.

The study is led locally by thyroid and parathyroid surgeon Ralph P. Tufano, MD, MBA, FACS, in collaboration with Sarasota Memorial’s Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute. The trial is conducted in collaboration with principal investigator Victoria Banuchi, M.D., associate professor of Head & Neck Surgery at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. A total of 30 patients will be enrolled across the two study sites.

Welcome To Our New Provider

Erin W. Thomas, MD

OBGYN

FPG OBGYN at Waldemere Medical Plaza 307

More about Dr. Thomas

First Physicians Group of Sarasota Memorial Health Care System

FPGAministration@smh.com | firstphysiciansgroup.com

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