Ignacio G. Duarte, M.D., was awarded his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City in 1993 after receiving his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Miami. He completed his General Surgical residency at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. During his residency, he also completed a two-year Cardiothoracic Surgery Research Fellowship, where he directed studies evaluating bioprosthetic heart valves. He remained at Emory University to complete his Cardiothoracic Surgery residency. After completing his training, he initially worked at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, Texas, where he gained additional experience in minimally invasive valve surgery. He moved to Tampa, Florida to join Cardiac Surgical Associates in 2005. Dr. Duarte is a Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. He enjoys spending his free time with his wife and two children.