Dr. William Heitman, MD

My husband’s symptoms landed us at HCA Lawnwood cardiac surgical center where we met Dr. Heitman. In addition to being a highly skilled surgeon with a talented team, he has a calm and confident demeanor which put us at ease during this stressful time. They spent time listening to us and answering our questions. He even gave us his number to text him once we were home which he answered promptly. His staff are equally friendly and knowledgeable. Dr. Heitman and his team saved my husband’s life and we are forever grateful for their skill and compassion.

It was my great good fortune to meet Dr. Heitman at the physical low point of my life. Dr. Heitman performed an aerotic dissecton, an operation that comes with a 20%-50% mortality rate, based on time since the heart event. I was a healthy 79 year old man but with that age comes more risk. Today, less than a month since my heart event, I am walking testimony to Dr. Heitman's skill. His support group is also top notch, truly inspirig.

Dr. Heitman was very thorough with his pre op briefing. Other medical workers had high praise for him and his expertise.I must say that after the surgery was completed, i feel a wonderful increase in my health.Dr. Heitman's post op explanations were to the point and very informative. You need a bypass, go see this doctor.

Dr Heitman did my open thoracotomy! His skill, expertise and excellent bedside manners were integral part of my success post op! I passed my big surgery with flying colors. Grateful to him and his team!

Dr. Heiman, A wonderful, caring, understanding, man that has the greatest knowledge of the job he does.

Dr. Heitman, his surgical team & office staff are The Best Around. Dr. Heitman is nice to talk to. He spends all the time needed for you to understand your up coming surgery and feel very comfortable about what is ahead of you. My First surgery in my life at 70 years old, all went well, healing quickly and feeling better by the day. I Highly recommend Dr Heitman, The Best with a wonderful and friendly office staff.

Dr Heitman did a fantastic job on my mitral valve replacement. I am still under recovery but under his guidance I will be back to normal life soon. He is an expert in heart surgery, but he is also is a great warmhearted person. I can strongly recommend Dr Heitman for any heart surgery.

Dr. Heitman has the best bedside manner. He is so down to earth and personal. The nurse practitioners and support staff are so kind and spend extra time explaining procedures and results thoroughly. They made what could have been a traumatic experience very positive. Would definitely recommend this practice and Lawnwood for cardiac care.

I recently had a triple bypass that was not scheduled. Dr. Heitman was fantastic. He explained what was going to be done and all the risk. He listened and answered all my questions. They kept my family informed throughout the operation.He and his staff are great. If you have a appointment for two o'clock, you will be seen at two o'clock, no waiting. He never rushes during the examination. Thank you Dr. Heitman from me and my family.

De. Heitman performed a triple heart bypass on me in December of 2023. He is a skilled surgeon who pulled me through with no complications. His patience with each and every question and his warm bed side manner were greatly appreciated by both my wife and myself. I would not wish that anyone have to go thru this procedure but if you do, please know Dr. Heitman is the best!!

Dr. Heitman is a wonderful surgeon. First of all, he did a great job and explain to me that I was a new man after my surgery and then he always followed up. He seem to know me as a patient , and what I was thinking. All the information he offer up to me kept me calm while I was still in the hospital. I would recommend Dr. Heitman to anyone in fact he was. Surgeon for a friend of mine a few years back, and when I compared notes with him, Dr. Heitman treated him the same way. I was an emergency. Patient never had a major surgery before. I was very fortunate blessed to have Dr. Heitman be the one on call that night . Thank you to him and his staff very professional very polite very knowledgeable and very comforting Ron B

Dr. Heitman performed a right carotid endarterectomy on February 3, 2022 and a left side on April 26. I cannot say enough about his professional manner and his surgical skills. He explained the procedure fully and assured me all would go well. It did. I am recovering nicely. Thank you Dr. Heitman. BTW, his office staff is very accommodating and professional.

At 80 I suffered an Aortic dissection in August 2021. It's a life-threatening event that must be treated without delay. Surgery for this is very complex. I was lucky my husband called an ambulance when I passed out and even luckier that Dr. Heitman had been notified when I arrived at the hospital. I was put on a heart lung machine while he determined I needed a synthetic graft for my aorta and a replacement valve. I was blessed to have a surgeon who understood the gravity of my situation and knew exactly what to do. It was a long surgery, but thanks to Dr. Heitman's skill, I survived. He was honest with my husband about the odds for my survival and he did a miraculous job! Dr. Heitman came to see me almost daily for the 5 weeks I was in cardiac intensive care and continued to encourage me that I would be able to dance at my granddaughter's wedding in December 2021, which I did. His nursing staff was also caring and kind. "Thank you" is not enough. I truly do owe my life to Dr. Heitman.

I recently had triple bypass surgery performed by Dr. Heitman. During the pre-op visit, he took the time to go over the details of the procedure in clear layman's terms. Although the procedure has its risks, I felt confident that I was in the care of the very best surgeon. Dr. Heitman demonstrated the caring and compassionate qualities I'd hoped to find in a doctor especially one that was going to perform open heart on me. My post-op visits to Dr. Heitman's office were equally satisfying. The staff is very professional and caring as well. As for the results of my procedure, I must say I'm on my way to a full recovery Thanks to Dr. Heitman. Prior to the procedure, I was concerned about the scar that would remain on my chest. I toyed with the idea of getting a tattoo of Master Yoda with a sword to camouflage the incision. However, from what I see so far, the incision is going to be almost unnoticeable. No tattoo will be required. I highly recommend Dr. Heitman.

My mom had a stroke during her open heart surgery so I was very concerned and anxious about my pending aortic valve replacement 11 years ago. After consulting with other thoracic surgeons, I quickly learned Dr. Heitman was at the forefront of the latest innovative techniques and the only choice. After that very successful surgery, I knew he was again the only choice to perform my second valve replacement, even though he was now affiliated with a hospital 40 minutes away. I would have flown to another city if necessary. That was a month ago and I already feel great after my TAVR procedure. There is no parallel to Dr. Heitman's knowledge, professionalism, compassion, and strict attention to each and every detail and I strongly recommend him.

From my first meeting with Dr. Heitman, I was very impressed by his professionalism. He advised I needed a double bypass and he clearly explained the entire process to my wife and I. His calming manner and his obvious intelligence quickly soothed our fears and I immediately decided he was the heart surgeon for me. As soon as he finished my surgery, Dr. Heitman met with my nervous wife and he told her of the successful outcome, and he answered all of her questions. During the days I was recovering in the hospital, Dr. Heitman made regular trips to my room to visit with me and check on my progress. From the day of my first consultation with Dr. Heitman, through my surgery and subsequent recovery period, to my very last follow-up appointment with him, Dr. Heitman has definitely earned my utmost respect as a cardiac surgeon who personally strives for perfection in all he does. My heartfelt thanks to Dr. Heitman, and to the entire nursing staff of Lawnwoood Hospital. You guys are the best!

He did my quadruple bypass. Not only is he an excellent surgeon he is very caring and understanding. I can't thank him enough.

My fit and active 60 year old husband underwent a routine stress test only to learn he had 99% blockage in two arteries and 95% in a third. His cardiologist was adamant he needed immediate triple by pass surgery. After consulting with Dr. Heitman we learned it was far safer to wait five days as to avoid alcohol withdrawal complications. Dr. Heitman was nothing but professional, compassionate and reassuring. My husbands surgery, though terrifying was relatively uneventful and most importantly successful. Post surgery, Dr. Heitman was the one who greeted me and even gave me a warm and comforting hug. We are truly grateful for Dr. Heitman's knowledge and experience. Without a doubt he saved my husbands life.

Dr. Heitman preformed a valve replacement and aneurysm removal as well as an ablation through open heart surgery for me a month ago. I interviewed many thoracic surgeons all over and always came back to him! He is at the very top of his field no doubt about this it’s why Lawnwood chose him to be the head of the Cardiac program. You would be extremely lucky to have him as your Dr.! He is sincerely dedicated and truly cares about his patients, he explains and answers all questions, I felt an ease with him I can’t explain and I feel so blessed and grateful to him and his team for giving me back my life and the excellent care and compassion I received from them! The team at Lawnwood in the CVICU was some of the best I’ve ever seen in this field I couldn’t have got better care anywhere else! I’m doing amazing and it’s only been a month I’m looking forward to all the great things to come but I wouldn’t be here without my Fantastic Surgeon & forever friend Dr. Heitman! Thank You!

Dr. Heitman preformed open heart surgery on my dad and was understanding with my parents trouble with English. He made sure they understand the surgery. He took great care of my dad before, during, and after his surgery. Dr. Heitman along with his friends in his office are very nice and welcoming. They do great things.