Robert J. Sommer, MD

Overview
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
Schedule an Appointment
Virtual Visits/Telehealth
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Phone Appointments
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Location(s)
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
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
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.