UAB Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery Assistant Professor Sasha Still, M.D., has successfully performed the first robotic-assisted aortic valve replacement in the state of Alabama in December 2025.
Engaged in innovative surgical techniques, Still serves as the head of the UAB Robotic Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) program. This program focuses on creating small incisions in the chest to perform minimally invasive repairs on patients with deficient blood supply and narrow vessels to the heart. The Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery is supported by the UAB Cardiovascular Institute.
Most recently, Dr. Still has begun to apply similar minimally invasive techniques to robotic aortic valve replacement surgery. This approach may allow patients to experience less pain, require fewer post-operative medications, spend less time in the hospital, face a reduced risk of infection, and return to their daily activities more quickly.
“Robotic-assisted procedures represent a significant advancement in cardiac surgery, and we are pleased to increase the number of minimally invasive procedures we offer at UAB. We encourage you to discuss this option with your cardiac surgery provider, who can explain the available aortic valve replacement options and help you identify the best treatment for your specific situation. For patients who are suitable candidates for this technique, it can lead to faster recovery,” says Still.
Still earned her medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch and completed her residency at Baylor Scott & White before joining UAB. While at UAB, she completed a traditional two-year fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery, followed by a super fellowship in aortic surgery.
“Our division is recognized as one of the top cardiothoracic surgery programs in the US, largely due to our expert faculty and teams. Dr. Still is an exceptionally skilled surgeon who trained at UAB and is dedicated to introducing innovative techniques while aiming for outstanding outcomes. We are excited to offer new robotic-assisted procedures in the division and look forward to expanding our robotic surgery program,” said UAB Cardiovascular Institute and UAB Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery Director James Davies, M.D.
About the UAB Cardiovascular Institute
The UAB Cardiovascular Institute (CVI) was established in 2019 to provide top-quality care to patients at one of the largest cardiovascular centers in the country. The CVI aims to integrate care by bringing together the expertise of cardiothoracic surgeons, vascular surgeons, specialized anesthesiologists, and cardiologists. This collaborative approach allows patients to access all necessary healthcare providers for outstanding cardiac care in one location.