Kenton Zehr, MD

Dr. Zehr and his team Deon, and Claudine, saved my life. My life saving surgery 7/22/2025. Dr Zehr delivered the news to me in a caring manor and made sure I understood what was happening to me. I had an aortic dissection Type A. He informed my family to expect the worst but hope and pray for the best. After a 10 hr surgery, at 38 years old, I survived. I couldn't be more grateful for him And his team. Deon and Claudine are just the best. I can't put into words how grateful I am about these three individually. I also had to have a valve replacement on 8/29/2025. Daily visits from the team. Bedside manners were to my standards.

September 2024 Dr Zehr saved my life with an 8 hour surgery. He installed a new ascending aorta in me and while it looked like things would not go well for the rest of my life I am doing quite well as opposed to what the outlook looked like it was going to be. He visited me many times in ICU and after in the hospital room. The level of care from his team was outstanding and if I ever had to go through this again, I would pick the same team. I was pleased with DMC as a whole with the exception of the nursing staff, this needs some work.

I am not normally a reviewer but was so taken aback by the most recent review that I had to weigh in. Dr. Zehr had saved my husband's life at Mayo's in 2005 (aortic valve replacement with long-undiagnosed endocarditis), so when deja vu happened all over again in April of 2025 (airlifted with long -undiagnosed endocarditis) we sought out Dr. Zehr at the DMC. The miracle sadly could not be repeated but Dr. Zehr was his staunchest advocate, was incredibly kind to me and remarkably tolerant of my obsession with a humane exit strategy, and had tears running down his own face when he delivered the news that we needed to use one. I know he teaches in his specialty but he would be equally at home teaching medical ethics because he totally gets it both personally and professionally.

Dr. Zehr was incredibly cold and rude when he informed my family and I that my mother had passed. He went so far as to roll his eyes at us when the shock hit and we initially did not want to believe the news. He seemed more annoyed that his time was wasted. I will never forget the way he did not care, his annoyed tone and his aggressive eye roll. He needs to find a better way to inform family members of horrible news or maybe he just should not say it at all. I would not recommend going to him if you think your loved one is in trouble of surviving. He does not care.

Dr. Zehr performed a triple bypass and a porcine aortic valve replacement on my husband in November 2021. My husband was in very serious condition, and Dr. Zehr responded to our cardiologist's request promptly and graciously. We found him to be empathetic and professional in all our dealings with him. He took his time with us and answered all our questions. Most important: Ten months post-up my husband is doing very well and is back to all his normal activities. Highly recommended.