Dr. Daniel Velez is a cardiothoracic surgeon with more than 20 years of experience, and an integral member of Phoenix Children's congenital cardiac surgery program. He is the Co-Director of the Center for Heart Care at Phoenix Children's, as well as the Division Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery.

He graduated from the Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine, completing his Residency at Emory University where he went on to do his Cardiothoracic Surgery Research Fellowship. Dr. Velez also served as Senior Fellow and Acting Instructor for Cardiothoracic Surgery and Transplant at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, WA, where he was later named Chief Resident of Cardiothoracic Surgery. In addition to his extensive research, publication and lectureship schedule, Dr. Velez also holds a patent related to his cardiothoracic work.

In 2019, Dr. Velez made history by leading the team that operated on the youngest patient in the world to receive a total artificial heart. The availability of this procedure prolongs the time available to locate a perfect donor heart for patients, ensuring a better match. As a cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Velez is also very involved in all of the heart transplants we do at Phoenix Children's.

Originally from Puerto Rico, Dr. Velez works to keep his family traditions alive here in Arizona. He is the father of two daughters and enjoys spending time with them when not at work.