McLaren Names Dr. Sanjay Batra Cardiothoracic Chief
McLaren Health Care created a new system leadership role for cardiothoracic surgery, with Dr. Sanjay Batra starting October 1, 2026.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in People
McLaren Health Care appointed Dr. Sanjay Batra as System Chief, Cardiothoracic Surgery, a newly created system leadership role, effective October 1, 2026. The role is intended to align and strengthen cardiothoracic surgery programs across the health system.
Why it matters
The new position is designed to bring unified leadership to cardiothoracic surgery programs across McLaren Health Care, which operates throughout Michigan. The appointment reflects an effort to expand access to cardiothoracic and structural heart care in communities across the state.
Dr. Batra brings nearly three decades of cardiothoracic surgical experience, including nearly 20 years as chief of cardiothoracic surgery at the former Ascension St. John Hospital. The announcement does not detail specific operational or financial targets for the new role.
The players
McLaren Health Care
McLaren Health Care is a Michigan-based health system that operates hospitals and clinical programs across the state.
Dr. Sanjay Batra
Dr. Sanjay Batra is a cardiothoracic surgeon who previously served as chief of cardiothoracic surgery at Ascension St. John Hospital and has led structural heart clinical trials.
Dr. Samer Kazziha
Dr. Samer Kazziha leads the McLaren Heart and Vascular Institute, with whom Dr. Batra will partner on cardiac care initiatives.
The details
Dr. Batra will work with clinical and administrative leaders to advance a system-wide strategy and will partner with Dr. Samer Kazziha at the McLaren Heart and Vascular Institute. He has served as principal or co-principal investigator for numerous structural heart clinical trials and holds a degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine.
Timeline
October 1, 2026: Dr. Batra began his role as System Chief, Cardiothoracic Surgery.
November 4, 2026: McLaren published the appointment announcement.
Leadership Landscape
The appointment places Dr. Batra alongside Dr. Samer Kazziha at the McLaren Heart and Vascular Institute, extending that cardiac program with structural heart expertise. It builds on the institute's existing leadership structure rather than departing from it.
Michigan patients seeking cardiothoracic and structural heart care may see expanded access as McLaren extends these programs across its communities. The change is a leadership appointment, so immediate differences in treatment options or costs are not described in the source.
The takeaway
Patients and families in Michigan should expect cardiothoracic leadership at McLaren to be unified under a single system role beginning October 2026. Checking with a local McLaren facility can clarify which programs and services are available in a specific community.
Further reading
Explore more People coverage across Michigan business news.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Lake Orion Review -.
