Dignity Health Sequoia Hospital and Stanford Health Care Align Efforts to Elevate Cardiothoracic Surgery

Collaboration Builds Upon Sequoia Hospital’s Tradition of Excellence in Leading-Edge Cardiovascular Surgical Expertise

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. (July 30, 2025) — Dignity Health Sequoia Hospital, a member of CommonSpirit Health, is pleased to announce an affiliation with Stanford Health Care. This collaboration brings highly skilled Stanford Medicine surgeons to Sequoia Hospital, elevating access to advanced heart surgery and comprehensive cardiothoracic services.

“This collaboration with Stanford Health Care is a major step forward in advancing cardiovascular care at Sequoia,” said Julie J. Sprengel, California President, CommonSpirit Health. “Together, we’re delivering the latest in cardiac and thoracic surgical innovations—combining cutting-edge technology with decades of clinical excellence to elevate care for our patients.”

Stanford Medicine cardiothoracic surgeons are providing cardiac and thoracic surgery coverage at the hospital, ensuring that patients have continuous access to highly specialized, life-saving care.

“We are committed to delivering the highest standard of cardiac surgical care with compassion, precision, and innovation. Our team prioritizes patient safety and outcomes, ensuring every individual receives personalized, evidence-based treatment.” Dr. Carol Chen, Clinical Assistant Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Stanford Medicine.

“This collaboration strengthens our ability to provide top-tier cardiac surgical care to our patients,” said Julie Biglieri, Senior Director of Critical Care Services and the Heart and Vascular Institute at Sequoia Hospital. “By expanding our surgical program with the expertise from Stanford Health Care, we are building on our foundation of excellence and ensuring our community has access to the latest advancements in heart surgery while receiving care at Sequoia Hospital.”

Sequoia Hospital offers extensive cardiac expertise, a state-of-the-art catheterization laboratory, dedicated cardiac care staff and a commitment to pioneering new treatments. The hospital continually advances patient care through innovation and was among a select group of hospitals nationwide to perform this cutting-edge procedure last year—becoming the first in Northern California to utilize the groundbreaking FARAPULSETM Pulsed Field Ablation System, a treatment for Atrial Fibrillation.

About Dignity Health Central Coast
Seven award-winning hospitals comprise Dignity Health Central Coast: Arroyo Grande Community Hospital in Arroyo Grande, Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz, French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria, Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City, St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard and St. John’s Hospital Camarillo, all recognized for their quality of care, safety, and service.

Additionally, Dignity Health Central Coast has a network of nearly 50 physician offices known as Pacific Central Coast Health Centers that include primary care, cancer care and various specialty offices. Dignity Health Central Coast also includes premier ambulatory surgery centers, technologically advanced imaging centers, outpatient services, and comprehensive home health services.

Learn more at dignityhealth.org/centralcoast.

About Dr. Carol Chen
Dr. Carol Chen earned her medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. She completed her general surgery residency at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. While there, she undertook a postdoctoral research fellowship and obtained a Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology. She completed a traditional cardiothoracic surgery fellowship in 2021 and a transplant surgery fellowship in 2024, both at Stanford University. Dr. Chen is certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery.