Javairiah Fatima, MBBS

Javairiah Fatima is a Professor and Chief of Vascular Surgery. A Distinguished Fellow of the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, she is an expert in complex aortic diseases. Dr. Fatima also serves as Councilor-at-Large for the International Society of Endovascular Surgery and on the editorial board of Endovascular Today.

Specializing in open and endovascular aortic surgeries, Dr. Fatima is one of the few surgeons in the U.S. — and the only woman — with FDA Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) approval to study fenestrated and branched endovascular aneurysm repair (F/BEVAR) for complex thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms and dissections.

She earned her medical degree from The Aga Khan University in Pakistan, completed general surgery residency at the Mayo Clinic, and vascular surgery fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic. She further trained in advanced aortic therapies at the Mayo Clinic.

Dr. Fatima has been a principal investigator for over 35 clinical trials and has published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles. She has held leadership roles in the Society of Vascular Surgery, Eastern Vascular Surgery and the Southern Association for Vascular Surgery amongst other national and international vascular societies and is a frequently invited faculty at national and international conferences. She is dedicated to delivering innovative, leading-edge care to her patients.

Why should someone choose you to care for their health
Being a vascular surgeon is not a job but a passion for me. I bring my best to my patients every single day and offer them the best treatment that is tailored to each and every patient. I take pride in my ability to offer my patients leading-edge treatment in just complex aortic therapies but for all their vascular problems.

What is the most important thing your patients should expect from their professional relationship with you? What do you expect from them?
I believe that every patient deserves the same level of respect, compassion, and expertise that I would expect for myself or my family. Respect, honesty, and trust form the foundation of any meaningful relationship — and nowhere is that more essential than in the bond between physician and patient. I am committed to upholding these values in every interaction, and I hope my patients feel equally empowered to engage in a relationship built on mutual trust and integrity.

How do you spend your valuable personal time when you are not caring for patients?
Outside of work, I cherish spending time with my husband, our daughter, and our beloved cat. As a family, we share a passion for travel, exploring different countries and cultures to broaden our perspectives. I also enjoy playing squash with my daughter, which is a fun and active way for us to bond — and I find creative fulfillment in the cake artistry.

Why did you choose your specialty and what is its greatest reward?
Vascular surgery — particularly aortic surgery — is a beautiful blend of art and skill. It uniquely demands coordination between the brain and hands, from the initial conception of a repair, through meticulous planning, to precise execution. It’s a constantly evolving field that I find deeply stimulating, as it calls for both innovation and creative expertise. At the same time, it fosters meaningful, long-term relationships with patients. There is no greater joy for me than seeing my patients and their families return to the clinic, full of gratitude and renewed life.