William F. Kessler, M.D., is originally from Houston, Texas. He received his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and completed his General Surgery and Cardiothoracic Surgery residencies at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. He went on to complete a fellowship in Heart Transplantation at the University of California, Los Angeles. He has practiced with Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons since February 1999. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery.

Dr. Kessler specializes in adult Cardiothoracic Surgery including heart transplantation, implantation and management of ventricular assist devices (VADS), valvular heart disease, surgery for arrhythmias, and all areas of Thoracic Surgery.

Dr. Kessler has been instrumental in developing the first Mechanical Circulatory Assist Device Program in Central Texas. He currently serves as Director of the program at Seton Medical Center. This service is the latest, cutting edge technology in cardiac assistance, including artificial heart devices and ventricular assist devices. A ventricular assist device acts like a heart for patients whose hearts are too damaged to beat on their own. The device keeps patients alive and acts as a bridge to heart transplantation.

In 2002, Dr. Kessler was awarded the prestigious Cardiac Care Provider of the Year award, an annual award given by the American Heart Association. Dr. Kessler was nominated by his patients to receive this award.

He is an active member of Alpha Omega Alpha, American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association, Dallas County Medical Society, and the Parkland Surgical Society. Dr. Kessler has participated in numerous research studies and has authored various research articles in his specialty.