Dr. Frank Slachman is a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon with over 30 years of experience in adult cardiac surgery. He brings a lifelong commitment to clinical excellence, innovative surgical care, and compassionate, patient-centered treatment. Currently practicing in Hawaii, Dr. Slachman is proud to be part of Hawaii Heart Associates, where he continues to provide advanced cardiovascular care with a personal touch.

Dr. Slachman’s passion for medicine began at a young age, working alongside his father building racing engines—a formative experience that sparked his love for precision, engineering, and complex problem-solving. These early interests evolved naturally into his fascination with the intricacies of cardiac surgery and the cardiopulmonary bypass circuit.

He earned his undergraduate degree in engineering from Washington University, followed by medical school at St. Louis University. He completed general surgery training at Stanford University and then advanced fellowship training in cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Washington, where he focused on cardiac transplantation.

Prior to relocating to Hawaii, Dr. Slachman spent many years in Sacramento, California, practicing in a high-volume tertiary referral center. There, he and his colleagues offered a full range of adult cardiac surgical services, including Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), robotic mitral valve repair, percutaneous mitral interventions (MitraClip), and advanced heart failure therapies such as Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) implantation.

Dr. Slachman believes the best outcomes are achieved when patients are treated with empathy, respect, and individualized care. He is especially attuned to the unique needs of the communities across the Hawaiian Islands and is honored to contribute to their well-being. “Hawaii has always felt like my second home,” he says. “It’s a privilege to wake up in paradise and care for my ‘ohana’.”

When he’s not in the OR, Dr. Slachman can often be found exploring the outdoors. He is an accomplished mountaineer who has completed the “Seven Summits,” and he enjoys bow hunting, big game fishing, cycling, and restoring classic cars. He also spends time on the golf course with his wife, despite describing himself as a “terrible golfer.”

Dr. Slachman is deeply grateful for the support of his wife, Joan—a pediatrician and Director of the Neonatal Nursery in Sacramento—and takes great pride in their three children and two grandchildren. He considers family the heart of everything he does, both personally and professionally.

Joining Hawaii Heart Associates is a meaningful continuation of Dr. Slachman’s lifelong mission to deliver the highest standard of cardiovascular care with integrity, precision, and aloha. Hawaii holds a special place in his heart, “Hawaii has always been my second home, so it is always a special day to wake up in paradise and provide care to my 'OHANA'”.