About Me
I am an adult congenital cardiologist at Memorial Cardiac and Vascular Institute. I care for patients who are born with heart conditions including atrial septal defects, ventricular septal defects, tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of the great vessels, single ventricle defects and Ebstein anomaly, among many others. I also care for patients with cardiac conditions during pregnancy.
While in college, I had a friend with congenital heart disease who needed medical care. During their medical encounters, I saw the challenges they faced in finding experienced doctors who understood their condition. I felt that it was important for them to have access to physicians who could guide them on how to live their lives to the fullest. I decided I wanted to help fill that gap.
Now, I have the privilege of helping adult patients with congenital heart disease manage their condition while understanding their personal values, priorities and goals. I enjoy getting to know patients over time – including their day-to-day life challenges – and being able to help them achieve the best possible outcome. No two hearts are alike and people with heart disease can have a variety of experiences, so our care is personalized and unique to each patient.
In addition to caring for patients, I try to stay active in the cardiac and congenital heart disease communities. I stay up to date on the latest treatments and techniques that may help my patients. I actively participate in professional societies to help the field grow nationally. I have earned the certification for the National Board of Echocardiography. I also prioritize educating patients and providers on congenital heart disease, as broader awareness on a provider level is crucial to our patients’ success.
Hospital Affiliations
Gender
- Male
Languages
- English
Education
Education
Washington University in St. Louis, 2014
Internships
Washington University, 2015, Internal Medicine
Residency
Washington University, 2018, Internal Medicine
Fellowships
Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 2021, Cardiovascular Disease
University Of Pennsylvania, 2023, Adult Congenital Heart Disease
Certifications
Awards, Achievements, and More
Publications
View Dr. Joshua Saef's publications on PubMed.Research
My clinical research interests include exploring the implementation of contemporary cardiac therapies in congenital heart disease; quality and outcomes research in congenital heart disease; and systems-level care in congenital heart disease.
Professional Organizations
- American College of Cardiology
- Adult Congenital Heart Association
- International Symposium of Adult Congenital Heart Disease
Presentations
- Cyanotic Congenital Heart Disease: A Review of Physiology and Future Challenges. Presented at University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2023.
- Graduating from Pediatric to Adult Congenital Heart Disease Care. Invited Presentation at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions; Chicago, Illinois, 2022.
- ACHD Educational Resources for Cardiology Professionals and Trainees. Invited Presentation at the 32nd International Symposium on Adult Congenital Heart Disease; Cincinnati, Ohio, 2022.
- How Can We Use the Web to Enhance ACHD? Invited Presentation with Heart University and ISACHD; Virtual, 2022.
- Practical Tips in Pregnancy Physiology and Patient Counseling. Invited Presentation at the American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions; Washington, DC, 2022.
- Improving Quality of Life in Adult Patients with Congenital Heart Disease. Presented at Washington University School of Medicine; St. Louis, Missouri, 2018.
- Infective Endocarditis Prophylaxis: A Summary of Data and Recommendations. Presented at Washington University School of Medicine; St. Louis, Missouri, 2016.
- Examining Observation Use and the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program. Presented at Washington University School of Medicine; St. Louis, Missouri, 2016.
- Mendelian Inheritance, Cytogenetics, and Teratogens: the Basics. Presented at Colorado Mesa University; Grand Junction, Colorado, 2014.
- Tetralogy Embryology: Understanding the Etiology of Tetralogy of Fallot. Presented at Washington University School of Medicine: Congenital Heart Disease CME Conference; St. Louis, Missouri, 2014.
Awards
- Robert J. Tomsich Aware for Excellence in Research, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 2021
- Razavi Fellowship for Clinical Research, Cleveland Clinic, 2020
- Department of Medicine House Staff Kipnis-Daughaday Teaching Award, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, 2017
- Edward Massie Prize for Excellence in Cardiology, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, 2014
- Dr. Lee B. & Virginia G. Harrison Scholar, Washington University School of Medicine, 2014