As specialists in cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesiology, these physicians assist in the perioperative care of patients scheduled to undergo complex and occasionally, potentially life threatening surgical procedures at the UC Davis Medical Center. They support patients on the cardiac, thoracic and vascular surgical services as well as the interventional and structural cardiology services.  In addition, they care for patients with severe cardiac or vascular disease undergoing non-cardiac surgery.

All of our cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesiologists are certified in advanced perioperative transesophageal echocardiography by the National Board of Echocardiography.

Pediatric cardiac surgical cases are assigned to the pediatric anesthesiologists at the UC Davis Medical Center. Ambulatory Anesthesia.

Cardiac Team


Aubrey Yao, M.D.
Section Head


Orode Badakhsh, M.D.
Fellowship Program Director


Nicole Weiss, M.D.
Resident Rotation Director

David Asseff
David Asseff, M.D., M.T.M.H.


Paul Frank, M.D.


David Li, M.D.


Hong Liu, M.D.


Nicole Shirakawa, M.D.


Amrik Singh, M.D.