About us

Ashok Kumar Coimbatore Jeyakumar, M.D., FACS, known professionally as Dr. CJ, serves as director of aortic disease with Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care. He specializes in the comprehensive management of complex cardiac and aortic conditions, including aortic aneurysms and dissections, genetic aortic diseases, coronary artery disease, advanced valvular disease, structural heart disease and high-risk redo cardiac operations. His practice integrates advanced open, endovascular, minimally invasive and robotic techniques to deliver individualized, state-of-the-art care for patients across the complexity spectrum. Dr. CJ is recognized internationally for his precision, surgical mastery and commitment to innovation. He performs the full range of advanced aortic and cardiac procedures, including aortic root and arch reconstruction, thoracic aortic repair, complex off-pump total arterial and multi-arterial coronary revascularizations, robotic and minimally invasive cardiac surgery, valve repair and replacement, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and complex structural heart interventions. His approach emphasizes evidence-based decision-making, multidisciplinary collaboration and unwavering attention to patient safety and long-term outcomes. Before joining Baptist Health, Dr. CJ led the division of adult cardiac surgery at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, where he developed high-acuity cardiac programs and advanced clinical pathways for aortic and coronary surgery. His leadership emphasized multidisciplinary teamwork, operational efficiency and clinical excellence. He collaborated closely with specialists across cardiology, vascular surgery, radiology, anesthesia, intensive care and emergency medicine to establish comprehensive care models for acute aortic syndromes and complex cardiac disease. Dr. CJ completed advanced fellowship training in adult cardiac surgery and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) at Emory University School of Medicine, followed by specialized training in robotic and minimally invasive cardiac surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. His foundational cardiovascular and thoracic surgery training was completed at the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology in India, following a rigorous general surgery residency at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) and medical training at Coimbatore Medical College. An active contributor to his field, Dr. CJ has published research on aortic pathology, advanced coronary revascularization, minimally invasive valve therapy and outcomes in high-risk cardiac surgery. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and an active member of leading professional societies, including the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) and the Indian Association of Cardiothoracic Surgeons (IACTS). Dr. CJ believes that every patient deserves care that is compassionate, accessible and tailored to their individual goals. He takes time to understand each patient’s concerns, explain their condition and treatment options clearly, and create personalized treatment plans grounded in safety, precision and empathy. His philosophy centers on teamwork, innovation and an exceptional patient experience across the continuum of care. Outside of medicine, Dr. CJ enjoys traveling, exploring cultures around the world and learning new languages. These experiences enrich his perspective and fuel his passion for continuous growth, curiosity and human connection. He is fluent in English, Tamil, Hindi and Malayalam.