Robert J. Sommer, MD

Specialties:
Adult Congenital Heart Disease, Cardiovascular Disease, Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatrics
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Overview

sommer_pfo_stroke_final

Dr. Bob Sommer trained in Pediatrics and Pediatric Cardiology, and started the first Pediatric Interventional Catheterization Laboratory in New York City in 1991, and has been Board Certified in Pediatric Cardiology since 1991. In 1999, Dr. Sommer redirected his focus to the adult patient with Congenital Heart Disease, first by starting his own practice to care for this underserved population, then joining the faculty of Columbia University Medical Center in 2005. In 2017, Dr. Sommer was Board Certified in the new ABIM sub-specialty of Adult Congenital Heart Disease.

Dr. Sommer performs catheter intervention for a wide array of congenital and structural disease, in “babies” of all ages including over 200 atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect and patent foramen ovale (PFO) closures annually.

Dr. Sommer was an investigator in the CLOSURE I, RESPECT and REDUCE PFO/Stroke Trials, and was the National Cardiology PI for the ESCAPE Migraine-PFO trial. He was the Co-National PI on the ASSURED Trial which led to the recent FDA approval of the Cardioform ASD Occluder. He will be the National Cardiology PI on the upcoming RELIEF Migraine-PFO Trial, based on groundbreaking research done with NP Barbara Robbins. Two manuscripts on this topic were published in the journal NEUROLOGY in November 2018.

Dr. Sommer directs the Left Atrial Appendage Closure Team at Columbia, having participated in the PREVAIL Trial and the CAP2 registry using the Watchman device. He is an investigator in the Amulet and Conformal LAA device trials. He is the local PI for the COMPASSION S3 Trial, using the Edwards Sapien 3 valve in the pulmonary position.

Dr. Sommer and Ms. Robbins are the primary cardiac caretakers for over 300 pediatric and adult patients with congenital heart disease, with more than 1500 office visits each year.

Dr. Sommer is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Columbia University Irving Medical Center.

Areas of Expertise / Conditions Treated

  • Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD)
  • Atrial Fibrillation
  • Atrial Septal Defect
  • Complex Congenital Heart Disease
  • Congenital Abnormalities
  • Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO)
  • Structural Heart Disease
  • Tetralogy of Fallot
  • Valve Replacement
  • Valvular Heart Disease
  • Ventricular Septal Defect

Academic Appointments

  • Associate Professor of Medicine at CUMC

Administrative Titles

  • Director, Invasive Adult Congenital Heart Disease

Hospital Affiliations

  • NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester

Gender

  • Male

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Virtual Visits/Telehealth

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Phone Appointments

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Location(s)

161 Fort Washington Avenue
New York, NY 10032
Primary
15 North Broadway
White Plains, NY 10601

Insurance Accepted

Aetna

  • Aetna Signature Administrators
  • EPO
  • HMO
  • Medicare Managed Care
  • NYP Employee Plan
  • NY Signature
  • POS
  • PPO
  • Student Health

Affinity Health Plan

  • Essential Plan
  • Medicaid Managed Care

AgeWell

  • Medicare Managed Care
  • Special Needs

Amida Care

  • Special Needs

Cigna

  • EPO
  • Great West (National)
  • HMO
  • POS
  • PPO

Emblem/GHI

  • Medicare Managed Care
  • PPO

Emblem/HIP

  • ConnectiCare
  • EPO
  • Essential Plan
  • HMO
  • Medicaid Managed Care
  • Medicare Managed Care
  • POS
  • PPO
  • Select Care (Exchange)
  • Vytra

Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield

  • EPO
  • HMO
  • Medicare Managed Care
  • PPO

Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield HealthPlus

  • Child/Family Health Plus
  • Essential Plan
  • Medicaid Managed Care

Fidelis Care

  • Child/Family Health Plus
  • Essential Plan
  • Medicaid Managed Care
  • Medicare Managed Care

Healthfirst

  • Child/Family Health Plus
  • Leaf (Exchange)
  • Medicaid Managed Care
  • Medicare Managed Care

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield

  • EPO - New Jersey Services
  • HMO - New Jersey Services
  • POS - New Jersey Services
  • PPO - New Jersey Services

Local 1199

  • Local 1199

MagnaCare (National)

  • MagnaCare

Medicare

  • Railroad
  • Traditional Medicare

Multiplan

  • Multiplan

MVP Health Care

  • Child/Family Health Plus
  • Essential Plan
  • HMO
  • Medicaid Managed Care

Oxford Health Plans

  • Freedom
  • Liberty

Quality Health Management

  • Quality Health Management

RiverSpring

  • Special Needs

UnitedHealthcare

  • Columbia University Employee Plan
  • Compass (Exchange)
  • Empire Plan
  • HMO
  • Medicaid (Community Plan)
  • Medicare Managed Care
  • POS
  • PPO

VNSNY CHOICE

  • Medicare Managed Care
  • SelectHealth
  • Special Needs

WellCare

  • Medicaid Managed Care
  • Medicare Managed Care

*Please contact the provider’s office directly to verify that your particular insurance is accepted.

Credentials & Experience

Education & Training

  • Residency: Mount Sinai Hospital
  • Fellowship: Mount Sinai Hospital
  • Fellowship: Boston Children's Hospital

Board Certifications

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Pediatrics
  • Adult Congenital Heart Disease

Honors & Awards

Best Doctors in New York (Castle Connelly – NY Magazine) 2001-4, 2006-8, 2011
Best Doctors New York Metro Area (Castle Connelly) 2005-16
Best Doctors in America (Castle Connelly) 2006-16
Patients’ Choice Award (Castle Connelly) 2010-16
Compassionate Doctor Award (Castle Connelly) 2013-15
Rotary Club/Gift of Life – Humanitarian Award 2008
SCARC Guardianship Services – Distinguished Services Award for Exceptional and Compassionate Care 2008
New York Family Magazine – Top Pediatrician 2008

America's Top Doctor
NY Top Doctor

Research

Global Health Activities

Gift of Life:

Helped lead an eight day medical mission to Guatamala (11/05) for children with congenital heart disease: 17 open heart surgeries, 29 catheter interventions. Solicited/received donations of medical equipment for all cath lab procedures.

Helped lead an eight day medical mission to Honduras (11/07) for children with congenital heart disease: 17 open heart surgeries, 29 catheter interventions. Solicited/received donations of medical equipment for all cath lab procedures.

Helped lead a 12 day medical mission to Vietnam (1/09) for children and young adults with congenital heart disease: 17 open heart surgeries, 30 catheter interventions. Solicited/received donations of medical equipment for all cath lab procedures.