Dr. Richard Gates, Surgeon-in-Chief

Dr. Richard Gates is a trusted pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon with more than 20 years of experience caring for children with complex congenital heart disease. He is widely recognized for his surgical expertise, thoughtful clinical approach, and longstanding commitment to advancing children’s heart care.

During his tenure at CHOC, Dr. Gates has contributed significantly to the growth of the heart program, working alongside multidisciplinary teams to strengthen peri-operative care and expand the hospital’s capabilities in treating complex cardiac conditions. He previously served in several senior leadership roles within the Heart Institute, helping guide program development, quality initiatives, and strategic direction. His work in these roles has left a lasting impact on the organization and the patients it serves.

Dr. Gates is board certified in thoracic and cardiac surgery and congenital cardiac surgery. He earned his medical degree from Yale University School of Medicine and completed his surgical training and fellowships at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital and UCLA Medical Center. He is fluent in Spanish and remains dedicated to compassionate, high-quality pediatric heart care.

Locations

Outpatient Heart Center
505 S. Main St, Suite 600
Orange, CA 92868
phone: 714-509-4641

Education

• Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency
  UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
• Congenital Heart Surgery/Transplant Fellowship
  UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
• General Surgery Residency
  Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital, New York City, NY
• Medical School
  Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT

Professional Organizations

• Children’s Hospital Association, Surgeon-in-Chief Forum
• American College of Surgeons
• Congenital Heart Surgeons Society
• The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

Our Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgeons commonly perform the following surgeries: 

Heart Defects

• Norwood procedure for hypoplastic left heart syndrome
• Aortic stenosis
• Arterial switch for transposition of the great arteries
• Atrial septal defect
• Atrioventricular (AV) canal defect
• Coarctation of the aorta
• Patent ductus arteriosus
• Pulmonary atresia
• Pulmonary stenosis
• Tetralogy of fallot
• Truncus arteriosus
• Ventricular septal defect

Thoracic defects

• Chest wall and lung malignancies
• Complex vascular access

Lung defects

• Congenital pulmonary airway malformations
• Pulmonary sequestration
• Spontaneous pneumothorax
• Lung infections

Publications

Gates RN, Yost P, Parker B. The use ofbivalirudin for pediatric anticoagulation in HIT patients. 2009 5th international conference on pediatric mechanical circulatory support and pediatric cardiopulmonary perfusion. Dallas, TX

Gates RN, Yost P, ParkerB. The use of bilalirudin for pediatric anticoagulation in HIT patients . Artificial Organs, 2010;34(8): 667-69.

Gates RN, Palafox BA. Early results with an extracellular tissue matrix for cardiovascular tissue use in pediatric patients. 2011 Society of Thoracic Surgeons, San Diego, CA.

Sah S, Berdjis F, Valdes S, Gates RN. Pseudoaneurysm of surgically reconstructed right ventricular outflow tract. World J Ped Conggenital Heart Surg, 2013;4(1):116-9.

Jacoby K, Starr JP, Gates RN, Domico M, Quill, A. Clinical guideline for the assessment of vocal cord dysfunction post cardiac surgery in neonates. PCICS; 2014; Abstract Poster.

Nguyen AK, Palafox BA, Starr JP, Gates RN, Berdjis F. Endocarditis and Incomplete Endothelialization 12 years after Amplatzer Septal Occluder Deployment. Tex Heart Inst J; 2016;43(3):227-3.

Mohari N, Starr JP, Gates RN, Domico MB, Batra AS.  Bipolar Versus Unipolar Temporary Epicardial Ventricular Pacing Leads Use in Congenital Heart Disease: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study.  Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2016 May;39(5):471-7. doi: 10.1111/pace.12836. Epub 2016 Mar 29.

Starr JP, Gates, RN, Palafox, BA, Quill A.  Retrospective cohort study comparing redo operations using ferromagnetic dissection and conventional monopolar dissection.  Surgical Innovation, I-4, DOI 10.1177/1553350616656279, 2016.

Gates RN, Starr JP.  How I repair neonatal total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) using mild hypothermic (32c) full flow CPB.  2018 CHSS, Chicago, Ill.