Dr. Irving Shen

- Irving Shen, MD, medical director, pediatric cardiac surgery, Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children.

Irving Shen, MD

Irving Shen, M.D.
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Dr. Irving Shen, medical director at Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children, dismisses the idea that heart surgeons must be aloof, temperamental technicians working in a kind of rarefied air.For him, it isn't just about connecting a heart valve; it's about connecting to people."When children are born with a congenital heart defect, it's a very serious matter," he says."It calls for a dedicated team of experts, similar to team sports.Every member of that team is important, from pre-surgery to post-operative care."

Overseeing the day-to-day operations of a large pediatric cardiac surgical team takes leadership, as well as the ability to build trust and develop excellence.

"I don't believe in micro-managing my staff," Dr. Shen says, "I delegate.It's all about putting together an effective team in the first place.Then, you accentuate their strengths and minimize their weaknesses.This leads to a great outcome."

Dr. Shen also dedicates himself to finding a good balance in life for things he enjoys and causes he believes in.The Vienna, Va., resident rides his bike to work every day, rain or shine.

"Coming from Oregon, my wife, Carmen, and I have a close bond with nature," he says."We live the philosophy of 'leave no trace behind,' and maintaining a small footprint on our environment.It takes longer to get to work, and there are days when I just don't want to get out of bed, but it's a commitment, and I try to practice what I believe."

That kind of commitment can be found in every pediatric heart procedure Dr. Shen performs, including the life-saving Norwood procedure.Dr. Shen is one of only a handful of surgeons in the region skilled in this new procedure.Performing surgery on a tiny newborn heart requires a special kind of medicine.

Dr. Shen earned a bachelor's degree in business (cum laude) from Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., and went on to attain his medical degree (cum laude) from Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Ore. Residencies include the University of Washington Health Sciences Center in Seattle, Wash., and the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, Colo. Inova is fortunate to have this gifted professional leading its pediatric cardiac team.
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Dr. Collazo works closely with Dr. Shen to ensure excellence in continued health care for their patients.
...
"I love working with Irving," he says.

Irving Shen, M.D.
...
Dr. Irving Shen, medical director at Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children, dismisses the idea that heart surgeons must be aloof, temperamental technicians working in a kind of rarefied air.For him, it isn't just about connecting a heart valve; it's about connecting to people."When children are born with a congenital heart defect, it's a very serious matter," he says."It calls for a dedicated team of experts, similar to team sports.Every member of that team is important, from pre-surgery to post-operative care."

Overseeing the day-to-day operations of a large pediatric cardiac surgical team takes leadership, as well as the ability to build trust and develop excellence.

"I don't believe in micro-managing my staff," Dr. Shen says, "I delegate.It's all about putting together an effective team in the first place.Then, you accentuate their strengths and minimize their weaknesses.This leads to a great outcome."

Dr. Shen also dedicates himself to finding a good balance in life for things he enjoys and causes he believes in.The Vienna, Va., resident rides his bike to work every day, rain or shine.

"Coming from Oregon, my wife, Carmen, and I have a close bond with nature," he says."We live the philosophy of 'leave no trace behind,' and maintaining a small footprint on our environment.It takes longer to get to work, and there are days when I just don't want to get out of bed, but it's a commitment, and I try to practice what I believe."

That kind of commitment can be found in every pediatric heart procedure Dr. Shen performs, including the life-saving Norwood procedure.Dr. Shen is one of only a handful of surgeons in the region skilled in this new procedure.Performing surgery on a tiny newborn heart requires a special kind of medicine.

Dr. Shen earned a bachelor's degree in business (cum laude) from Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., and went on to attain his medical degree (cum laude) from Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Ore. Residencies include the University of Washington Health Sciences Center in Seattle, Wash., and the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, Colo. Inova is fortunate to have this gifted professional leading its pediatric cardiac team.
...
Dr. Collazo works closely with Dr. Shen to ensure excellence in continued health care for their patients.
...
"I love working with Irving," he says.