Yas Sanaiha, MD

Dr. Yas Sanaiha is a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon at UCLA Health, with  advanced expertise in open and endovascular aortic surgery, advanced heart  failure including transplant, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and complex valve repair and replacement. She completed her general surgery and cardiothoracic surgery training at UCLA, followed by a specialized fellowship in aortic and transplant surgery at Duke University.

Dr. Sanaiha’s clinical practice spans the full spectrum of advanced cardiac and aortic surgery. She integrates minimally invasive and hybrid endovascular techniques to deliver durable, patient-centered outcomes tailored to individual needs. Her academic focus lies in surgical quality improvement, health equity, and value-based care using advanced data science and national outcomes databases.

She has been recognized for technical excellence and leadership in cardiac surgery, receiving numerous honors including the Howard A. Reber Golden Scalpel Award for Outstanding Chief Resident Performance, the Western Thoracic Surgical Association Norman E. Shumway Award, and the John R. Hiatt Excellence in Education Award. In addition, she is a recipient of the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award and Gold Humanism Honor Society distinction for her compassionate approach to patient care.

Dr. Sanaiha is deeply committed to multidisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and expanding access to expert cardiac care. She is proud to bring UCLA’s world-class cardiovascular services to the San Fernando Valley, serving as a bridge between local communities and UCLA’s quaternary care center.