Cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Simon Maltais brings specialized expertise to Great Falls Hospital’s growing heart program
Great Falls Hospital is proud to announce that it is now offering the Ross procedure, an innovative and complex heart surgery that provides a natural, durable solution for patients requiring aortic valve replacement and aortic surgery. The procedure is performed by Dr. Simon Maltais, a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon with extensive experience in advanced aortic surgery, heart valve repair and replacement.
The Ross procedure uses a patient’s own pulmonary valve to replace their diseased aortic valve, offering long-term benefits such as improved durability, improved long-term survival in healthy patients, natural valve function, and reduced need for lifelong blood thinners. This option is especially beneficial for younger patients seeking a lasting solution that preserves quality of life. As the premier heart surgery program in Great Falls, our program has already performed successful Ross procedures.
“Bringing the Ross procedure to Great Falls Hospital means our patients can receive world-class, cutting-edge heart surgery right here in Montana, without needing to travel to a large metropolitan center or out-of-state,” said Dr. Simon Maltais. “It’s an excellent choice for younger and healthy patients because it uses their own tissue, offering a more natural result and freedom from many of the limitations associated with prosthetic valves.”
Dr. Maltais joined Great Falls Hospital’s cardiothoracic surgery program in July 2024. His expertise has helped strengthen the organization’s commitment to providing comprehensive, innovative cardiac care close to home, and solidify the growth of the program
“It’s remarkable to offer such an advanced and specialized heart surgery right here at home—something typically only available in large metropolitan centers,” said Mark Robinson, CEO of the Great Falls Clinic and Hospital. “This achievement reflects our continued commitment to investing in cutting-edge care for our patients close to where they live.”
The addition of the Ross procedure expands the breath of procedures already offered such as complex aortic surgery, less invasive heart valve interventions, and high-risk heart failure surgery. To showcase this new procedure, Dr. Maltais led a hands-on demonstration of the Ross procedure for Touro University medical students, using a pig heart to illustrate the surgical technique in a realistic educational setting.
For more information about the Ross procedure or Great Falls Clinic’s heart and vascular services, visit www.gfclinic.com or call 406-454-2171.