Dr. Jonathan Aaron Praeger, MD

Media Releases

Get to know Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. Jonathan Aaron Praeger, who serves patients in Los Angeles, California.

A board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Praeger is an attending physician and Assistant Professor of Clinical Surgery at Keck Medicine of USC – Los Angeles. He believes in the importance of taking time to get to know each patient and working together to come up with a personalized treatment plan. 

The doctor has a particular interest in minimally invasive solutions for atrial fibrillation. He also specializes in surgery of the aortic root, aortic arch as well as valve repair and replacement.  As associate director of mechanical circulatory support he treats the sickest patients requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and ventricular assist devices (VADs). 

Pertaining to his educational pursuits, he graduated cum laude with his medical degree from Semmelweis Medical University in Hungary in 2009. After relocating to the United States, he completed his residency in general surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in 2016, followed by a fellowship in surgical critical care at the University of Hawaii in 2017. 

Furthermore, Dr. Praeger completed an intensive fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at Keck Medicine of USC, winning a spot over hundreds of applicants for one of the most competitive programs in the nation. Over the last three years, patients have been impressed with both his exceptional surgical skill and his caring bedside manner.

Passionate about his profession, he is triple  board-certified in general surgery and surgical critical care by the American Board of Surgery (ABS), as well as cardiothoracic surgery by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS).

Cardiothoracic surgery is the field of medicine involved in the surgical treatment of organs inside the thorax. Cardiothoracic surgeons are medical doctors who specialize in surgical procedures inside the thorax, which may involve the heart, lungs, esophagus, and other organs in the chest. Alongside performing surgery, they also diagnose and treat diseases of these organs.

Recommended Articles

• How to Diagnose and Treat Gallstones

  Who are at risk of developing gallstones?- Obesity is one of the biggest risk factors in developing gallstones. It increases a person's overall cholesterol levels, making it difficult to maintain a completely empty bladder. - Women who are pregnant, on birth control pills, or taking hormonal...

• What is a Cholecystectomy Diet?

  After your gallbladder has been removed, you may develop frequent loose or watery stool, which is a sign of diarrhea. In some cases, this diarrhea may last for a few weeks or even months. First, it is very important to understand why you are having diarrhea. Diarrhea which comes immediately after...

• Stomach Ulcers: What are the Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment?

  Stomach ulcers are painful lesions that are found in the lining of your stomach or small intestine. They are the most visible sign of peptic ulcer disease. Your stomach and small intestine are lined by a layer of mucus-producing cells. The mucus produced by these cells protect the lining of your...

• How to Prepare for an Appendectomy

  What Really Is Appendicitis?To understand the term appendicitis, you need first to understand what the appendix is. The appendix is a small structure that is finger-shaped and located in the abdomen in connection with the large intestines. More specifically, this structure is found on lower right...

• What Are the Risks of Gallbladder Surgery?

  Your gallbladder has a very big role in the body during digestion. It is the organ that collects a fluid known as bile, which helps you to digest food. If your gallbladder develops complications, you may need to have it removed. You may also have it removed if you develop gallstones. Gallstones are...

• Laparoscopy and Infertility

  LaparoscopyA laparoscopy is a surgical procedure, which allows doctors to examine your abdominal organs. In females, their fallopian tubes, uterus, and ovaries are found in the pelvic region, which is at the bottom of the abdomen. The procedure uses a laparoscope to visualize the abdominal organs....