
Highlights
Age Groups Seen
- Infant 0-2
- Child 3-12
- Adolescent 13-17
- Young Adult 18-25
- Adult 26-64
- Older Adult 65+
Languages
- English
In-Network Plans
View All Accepted Plans (12)Gender
FemaleJohns Hopkins Affiliations:
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Faculty
About Jennifer S. Lawton
Professional Titles
- Richard Bennett Darnall Professor of Cardiac Surgery
- Chief, Division of Cardiac Surgery
- Director, Cardiac Surgery Research Laboratory
Primary Academic Title
Professor of Cardiac Surgery
Johns Hopkins Physician
Background
Jennifer S. Lawton, M.D., is the Richard Bennett Darnall Professor of Surgery and chief of the Johns Hopkins Division of Cardiac Surgery, as well as director of the Cardiac Surgery Research Laboratory.
Dr. Lawton’s clinical area of focus is adult cardiac surgery. She also leads the division’s residency education program, and conduct research in myocyte volume regulation and ATP-sensitive K channels.
She has held important leadership roles in several organizations, including chair of the surgery study section of the American Heart Association, vice-chair of the ACGME residency review committee, and president of the Women in Thoracic Surgery. Lawton’s achievements also include 81 peer-review publications, 7 book chapters, and 18 abstracts. She has delivered over 50 invited lectures.
Find a Clinical Trial
View all trials by this principal investigator.
Research Interests
ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channels, Myocardial Protection, Myocyte Volume Regulation
Lab Website
Cardiac Surgery Research Lab - Lab Website
- Founded in 1942 by surgeon Alfred Blalock and surgical technician Vivien Thomas, the Cardiac Surgery Research Lab at The Johns Hopkins Hospital serves not only to spearhead discovery and innovation in cardiothoracic surgery, but also to train future leaders in the field. Active areas of investigation include the development of novel, nanoparticle-based therapeutics to mitigate acute lung injury, avoid neurological injury during cardiac surgery, and improve organ preservation during heart and lung transplantation. The lab is also active in a variety of clinical research projects aimed at improving outcomes for our patients. Equally important, the lab plays a critical role in training residents for impactful careers in academic cardiothoracic surgery. Medical students, residents, and fellows receive hands-on simulation experiences to hone surgical skills outside of the operating room. The lab also serves as a training ground to develop research and investigation skills as trainees learn methods of advanced statistical analysis and academic writing. Special programs for undergraduates and medical students help develop their passion for cardiac surgery and surgical research, giving unique opportunities to young talent.
PubMed - Publications
Selected Publications
Lawton JS, Barner HB, Bailey MS, Moazami N, Pasque MK, Moon, MR, Damiano RJ, Jr. Radial Artery Grafts in Women: Utilization and Results. Ann Thorac Surg 2005; 80(2):559-63. PMID 16039204
Lawton JS, Liu J, Kulshrestha K, Moon MR, Damiano RJ, Maniar H, Pasque MK. The Impact of Surgical Strategy on Survival Following Repair of Type A Aortic Dissection. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2015; 150:294-301.PMID 26005060
Lawton JS, Moazami N, Pasque MK, Moon MR, Damiano RJ Jr. Early Stenosis of Medtronic Mosaic Porcine Valves in the Aortic Position. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2009; 137(6):1556-7. PMID: 19464483
Henn MC, Janjua MB, Zhang H, Kanter EM, Makepeace CM, Schuessler RB, Nichols CG, Lawton JS. Cardiac Expressed Gain – of – Function of ATP –Sensitive Potassium Channel Subunit Kir6.1 is Associated with Increased Tolerance to Myocyte Stress. Accepted J Surg Res August 2016.
Selected from 89 publications
Lawton JS, Brister SJ, Petro KR, Dullum M. Surgical Revascularization in Women: Unique Intraoperative Factors and Considerations. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2003; 126(4):936-8. PMID 14566226
Sellitto AD, Al-Dadah AS, Schuessler RB, Nichols CG, Lawton JS. An Open Sarcolemmal Adenosine Triphosphate-Sensitive Potassium Channel is Necessary for Detrimental Myocyte Swelling Secondary to Stress. Circulation 2011;124[suppl 1]:S70-S74. PMID: 21911821
Honors
- Fellow, American Heart Association
- Invited Attendee, American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) Leadership Academy for Division Chiefs/Potential Chiefs
- Invited Attendee, American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) Strategic Planning Retreat
- Named to Best Doctors in St. Louis, 2009 - 2015, St. Louis Magazine
- National Research Service Award, National Institutes of Health; 1994-1996
Memberships
- American Surgical Association
- Society of Clinical Surgery
- Fellow, American College of Surgeons
- American Association for Thoracic Surgery
- Cardiac Surgery Biology Club
- Society of Thoracic Surgeons
- Southern Thoracic Surgical Association
- Fellow, American Heart Association
- St. Louis Thoracic Surgery Society
- Association for Academic Surgery
- Women in Thoracic Surgery
- Association of Women Surgeons
- International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery
- Associate Member, Washington University Center for the Investigation of Membrane Excitability Diseases (CIMED)
Locations
- Levi Watkins, Jr., M.D., Outpatient Center
- 601 North Caroline Street, Floor 7, Baltimore, MD 21287
- Get Directions
- phone: 443-997-1799
- fax: 410-502-2399
Expertise
Education
- Fellowship: Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Cardiothoracic Surgery, 2001
- Residency: VCU Health and Hospitals, General Surgery, 1999
- Medical Education: Drexel University College of Medicine, Medicine, MD, 1992
Board Certifications
- Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery: American Board of Thoracic Surgery, 2002
Insurance
- Aetna
- CareFirst
- Cigna
- First Health
- Geisinger Health Plan
- HealthSmart/Accel
- Johns Hopkins Health Plans
- MultiPlan
- Pennsylvania's Preferred Health Networks (PPHN)
- Point Comfort Underwriters
- Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
- Veteran Affairs Community Care Network (Optum-VACCN)
Ratings & Reviews
5 out of 5
57 ratings, 30 reviewsThe Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to physician related questions on the national CG-CAHPS Medical Practice patient experience survey through Press Ganey. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best score. Comments are also gathered from our CG-CAHPS Medical Practice Survey through Press Ganey and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/20/2026
Outstanding concern for myself as a being
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/6/2026
Knowledgable, thorough and patient
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/6/2026
GREAT
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/27/2026
Cant wait to get my date for my surgery.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/27/2026
Dr. Lawton was professional, educational, understanding and took a great deal of time to explain all steps along the way and outcomes. She was excellent!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/27/2026
Very professional and kind and caring
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/6/2026
I am well aware that Dr. Lawton saved my life and for that I am very grateful.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/23/2026
Passionate, kind, respectful, amazing clinician
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/23/2026
Dr Lawton is superb
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/2/2026
I felt very at ease right from the beginning to voice any concerns I had, thoroughly explained my procedure. She was approachable, and made the whole process. Understandable with a perfect degree of empathy. She had a great bedside manner and spent ample time with me as well. Feel very confident that she will take great care of me to the best of her abilities. Journey
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/2/2026
Dr. Lawton is a truly wonderful cardiac care provider - she is knowledgeable, skilled, and caring. My post-op care visit was excellent, just as my surgery. Dr. Lawton devoted the time to explain my condition, answer questions, and provide encouragement for continued healing, and she is very pleasant. Especially given the seriousness of my health issue, this was without doubt the best experience that I have ever had with a specialized care provider.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/19/2025
Thank you for providing me the Accessibility <sign language interpretation >
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/19/2025
She's awesome.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/19/2025
Dr. Lawton performed a triple by-pass on me 30 days prior to this visit. Results of surgery were excellent.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/19/2025
Very kind, personable and easy to talk to.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/12/2025
Dr. Lawton is calm, caring and a leading expert in cardiac care. I feel very fortunate to be under her care.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/14/2025
An all around excellent experience.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/24/2025
Very empathy and patience
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/24/2025
My post-op appointment with Dr Lawton was on time for both the X-ray and to see her. Her knowledge as a surgeon is well known and her demeanor, bed side manner and ease to how she explained the pre and post surgery was exceptional. I feel very fortunate that she was the surgeon for my double by pass operation.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/24/2025
Concerned, nice and cared
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/17/2025
Outstanding, informative and succinct dialogue. I could not be more satisfied with the appointment. Extraordinary physician!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/3/2025
Refer all to other surgeon for procedure not done at Hopkins currently
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/19/2025
I am very thankful Dr. Lawton accepted me as a patient. I know she is the best.8
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/12/2025
Dr.Lawton is always kind and really listens to what you have to say about your medical condition.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/5/2025
I thought she was wonderful
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/1/2025
Very professional, good sense of humor and listener, kind, and compassionate
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/1/2025
Dr. Lawton is the best!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/27/2025
Very caring yet professional.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/27/2025
Dr Lawton and her assistant are awsome.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/10/2025
Dr. Lawton and her entire support team are exceptional in all aspects of care for the patient. I had great confidence in my patient experience and outcome directly as a result of their meticulous involvement and thoroughness.