Vascular surgeon Steven Maximus named director of the UC Davis Aortic Center

Vascular surgeon Steven Maximus has been named the new director of the Aortic Center at UC Davis Health.

The Aortic Center is a multidisciplinary program within the Vascular Surgery and Cardiac Surgery divisions, housed in the UC Davis Vascular Center. It provides patients with a full range of care for complex aortic diseases, such as aneurysms, dissections and genetic disorders.

“I am pleased to appoint Dr. Maximus to lead what has become one of the top referral centers for complex aortic reconstructions in all of Northern California,” said Diana L. Farmer, chair of the UC Davis Department of Surgery. “His expertise in complex endovascular surgery will bring novel treatments to our patients that will enhance our world-class clinical care for people with aortic diseases.”

Maximus’ clinical interests include the evaluation and treatment of aortic aneurysms, dissections, trauma and aortic pathology that involves any segment of the aorta. The aorta is the main artery that carries blood away from your heart to the rest of your body. When a problem occurs with the aorta, the heart and the entire body’s blood supply can be at risk.

Maximus has performed the most Transcarotid Arterial Revascularizations in the region. He has also placed the most thoracic branch endoprosthesis devices in the United States, which is used to repair a damaged thoracic aorta. He is one of a handful of vascular surgeons in the United States to have a Physician Sponsored Investigational Device Exemption  from the FDA to investigate Physician Modified Endografts for the repair of complex thoracoabdominal aneurysms.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to lead the Aortic Center, which has seen remarkable growth and development over the past few years,” Maximus said. “I look forward to working with our outstanding team to advance the highest level of care to patients suffering from aortic diseases.”

Maximus joined UC Davis Health in 2019 after expanding his skills while completing the Advanced Endovascular Aortic Fellowship at the University of Texas. He completed his vascular surgery fellowship at the University of Chicago and earned his medical degree from the UC Davis School of Medicine.