Cardiothoracic & Vascular Associates 333 N. 1st Street Suite 280 Boise, Idaho 83702 (208) 345-6545 Fax: (208) 345-1213 Directions / Map Office Hours: Mon - Fri, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Services

Cardiothoracic Surgery: Surgical treatment of diseases affecting organs inside the thorax (the chest).

• Cardiac Surgery: Treatment of conditions of the heart, its blood supply, and the major blood vessels of the chest, such as:
• Coronary artery bypass with endovascular vein harvest
• Repair or replacement of defective heart valves
• Repair of thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA)
• Urgent treatment of thoracic aortic dissections
• Repair of congenital heart defects
• Definitive treatment for atrial fibrillation (MAZE procedure)
• Repair of ventricular heart aneurysms
• Treatment of cardiac tumors
• Thoracic Surgery: Treatment of conditions the lungs; additional conditions that require the expertise of a cardiothoracic surgeon, such as diseases of the esophagus. Procedures include:
• Biopsies of lung tissue or removal of lung lesions, performed without opening the chest by using endoscopic video equipment, also known as video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), or by more traditional chest surgery.
• Tumors of the esophagus
• VATS lobectomy
• Minimally invasive staging of the mediastinum including endobronchial ultrasound and endoscopic ultrasound
• Mediastinoscopy
• Resection of tumors of the esophagus, including esophagectomy
• Resection of tumors of the esophagus by both VATS and open technique
• Transcervical thymectomy for treatment of myasthenia gravis
• VATS sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis
• EUS for staging of esophageal cancer
• Minimally invasive techniques for pleural diseases
• Treatment of mesothelioma
• Treatment of mediastinal tumors
• Chest wall resection and reconstruction
• Treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome

Vascular Surgery: Treatment of peripheral vascular disease (PVD)-diseases or disorders of the circulatory system outside of the brain and heart. Another name for this condition is arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, which can cause narrowing and blockages of blood vessels. Vascular disease can also cause aneurysms that can be lethal or limb-threatening. Common vascular surgery may include:

• Carotid endarterectomy for stroke risk reduction
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair
• Aortic aortic bypass surgery for narrowing or occlusion
• Lower extremity bypass surgery
• Lower extremity aneurysm repair

Endovascular Surgery: Minimally invasive surgery designed to access the body via major blood vessels. These techniques may be used for diagnostic purposes or treatment utilizing balloons, stents, and coils as alternatives to traditional surgery. Procedures include:

• Endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair
• Endovascular Thoracic Aortic AneurysmRepair
• Iliac artery angioplasty
• Renal artery angioplasty
• Lower extremity angioplasty
• Mesenteric artery angioplasty

New Patients / Appointments
We are accepting new patients. Please contact our office for referral or to make an appointment. (208) 345-6545

St. Luke's Clinics
St. Luke’s Clinics are an integrated network of highly skilled health care professionals in locations throughout our region.

Our Medical Providers
Because of their education, experience, and specialty training, board certified vascular surgeons are the most qualified individuals to treat simple varicose vein problems and complex venous disorders.

	Andrew Forbes, MD, FACS is a cardiothoracic surgeon who specializes in all areas of cardiothoracic surgery with special interest in stentless aortic valve surgery. He is board certified with the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. He earned his bachelor's degree from Carroll College and his medical degree from the University of Washington, where he also trained as a surgical resident and a fellow in cardiothoracic surgery. He joined Cardiothoracic & Vascular Associates in 1994.
	Jeffrey J. Gilbertson, MD, FACS is a vascular surgeon who specializes in carotid disease, aortic aneurysm, and endovascular surgery. He is board certified in vascular surgery and general surgery, and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He earned his bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College and his medical degree from the University of Minnesota. He trained in general surgery at the University of Utah and completed a fellowship in vascular surgery at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Dr. Gilbertson is a member of the Idaho Medical Association, Ada Medical Society, Frederick A. Coller Surgical Society, Pacific Northwest Vascular Society, and the American Association for Vascular Surgery. He has been in practice in Boise since 1991.
	S. Scott Huerd, MD, FACS is a cardiothoracic surgeon who specializes in adult cardiac surgery and valve repair and replacement. He is board certified with the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Washington, where he also earned his medical degree. He completed his surgical residency at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and trained in cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Huerd joined Cardiothoracic & Vascular Associates in 2003.
	Philippe A. Masser, MD is a vascular surgeon who specializes in acute and chronic venous disease, dialysis access, arterial occlusive and aneurysm disease, and cerebrovascular disease. He is board certified in general surgery and vascular surgery. Dr. Masser earned his bachelor's degree from Williams College and his medical degree from the University of Southern California. He completed his general surgery training at the University of Washington. He served four years as a general surgeon in the U.S. Naval Reserve before completing a fellowship in vascular surgery at Oregon Health & Science University. He joined Cardiothoracic & Vascular Associates in 1996.
	Brian Matteson, MD, FACS is a vascular surgeon who specializes in carotid artery disease, aortic and peripheral aneurysms, peripheral artery disease, hemodialysis access, varicose vein treatment, and minimally invasive endovascular and open surgical modalities. He is board certified in general surgery and vascular surgery, and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Matteson earned his bachelor's degree in physiology from the University of Minnesota, where he also earned his medical degree. He completed his residency in general surgery at the University of New Mexico and his fellowship in vascular surgery at the University of Utah. He completed a mini-fellowship in endovascular surgery and served as assistant professor of surgery at the University of New Mexico. He joined Cardiothoracic & Vascular Associates in 2005.
	Matthew W. Schoolfield, MD is a cardiothoracic surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive thoracic surgery, video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy, and lung cancer. He serves as Medical Director of Thoracic Oncology at St. Luke’s MSTI, and is working on the application of robotic surgery to general thoracic surgery and the development of a lung cancer screening program. Dr. Schoolfield is board certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. He earned his bachelor's degree in biology and chemistry from the University of Sioux Falls and his medical degree from the University of South Dakota. He completed his general surgery residency at Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, Pennsylvania, and his cardiothoracic surgery residency at Oregon Health & Science University, where he trained in VATS for pulmonary lobectomy, esophageal surgery, and minimally invasive tumor staging of the mediastinum with endoscopic ultrasound. He joined Cardiothoracic & Vascular Associates in 2009.
	David Stuesse, MD is a cardiothoracic surgeon who specializes in the surgical treatment of valvular heart disease and coronary artery disease, minimally invasive surgical treatment for atrial fibrillation, adult congenital heart surgery, pediatric heart surgery, and blood conservation. He is board certified by the American Board of Surgery and American Board of Thoracic Surgery. He earned his bachelor's degree in physiology from the University of California, San Diego, and his medical degree from the Medical College of Ohio. He completed his residency in surgery and fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery and pediatric cardiac surgery at Oregon Health & Science University. Dr. Stuesse joined Cardiothoracic & Vascular Associates in 2004.
	Michael J. Tullis, MD, FACS is a vascular surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive varicose vein treatment, endovascular arterial / venous therapies, and spine exposure therapy. He is board certified in vascular surgery and general surgery, and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin and his medical degree from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. He completed his training in general surgery at the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics, and specialized in vascular surgery at the University of Washington Medical Center. Dr. Tullis served as an assistant professor of surgery at the University of New Mexico, and is a member of the American Association of Vascular Surgery, International Society of Endovascular Specialists, Peripheral Vascular Surgery Society, Pacific Northwest Vascular Society, Idaho Medical Association, and Ada County Medical Society. He joined Cardiothoracic & Vascular Associates in 2000.

Your Appointment
We try to stay on time, as a courtesy to you and others. Since paperwork may take a few minutes, please arrive early. As emergencies do occur, there may be occasions when your appointment time will be delayed. We will always try to keep you informed in the event of a delay, and will be happy to reschedule your appointment, if you prefer. We ask that you respect the appointment time we have reserved for you, and call 24 hours ahead to cancel or change appointments so that others may be helped during that time.

Communication with your provider is extremely important. It may be helpful for you to write down questions for your doctor or nurse practitioner prior to your visit. Bring a list of medications and the dosages, or bring the bottles with you.

Make sure you understand any instructions you are given. If clarification is needed, review your instructions with the provider or medical assistant before you leave. If you aren’t doing well after your visit, we want to hear from you. Our goal is to improve your health.

To expedite your registration process, we have provided the forms below. Please download and complete them prior to your scheduled appointment time. Thank you.

Download patient registration forms »

Insurance Plans
We accept most insurance plans, including Medicare, in-state Medicaid, Tricare, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and others.

We ask that you bring your insurance card with you to each visit and notify us of any changes in your address, phone number, or insurance information.

Medication Refills
Talk with your provider at each visit to be sure your prescriptions are up to date. For refills, contact your pharmacy. Your pharmacy will then contact our office for verification and approval. For patient safety, narcotics cannot be refilled outside of office hours. Talk with your provider before your prescription runs out, and please allow 48 hours for refills.