Douglas R. Johnston, MD

4.9

308 ratings Read Reviews

Northwestern Medical Group

Primary Specialty

Cardiac Surgery

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HealthBeat

A Life-Changing Surgery in the Face of a Lifelong Heart Condition

Nick Dakins needed a complex aortic root aneurysm repair surgery because he was born with transposition of the great arteries.

What Is Endocarditis?

When your heart gets an infection.

More HealthBeat Articles

Practice Focus Areas

This medical professional has a particular interest or expertise in:

Adult Congenital Surgery
Aortic Aneurysm
Aortic Valve Surgery
Bicuspid Aortic Valve Disease
Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Replacement
Mitral Valve Repair
Tricuspid Valve Disease

Education

Medical Education:: MD, Harvard Medical School - 1998
Residency:: Massachusetts General Hospital - 2005
Fellowships:: Cleveland Clinic Foundation - 2008

Board Certifications

American Board of Thoracic Surgery/Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery - Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery (Certified)

Faculty Profile

Professor, Feinberg School of Medicine

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Practice Groups and Affiliations

Medical Group:: Northwestern Medical Group
Alignment Category:: Northwestern Medicine Physician Network
On Medical Staff At:: Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital

Central DuPage Hospital

Grayslake Ambulatory Surgery Center

Northwestern McHenry Huntley & Woodstock Hospitals

Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Palos Hospital

Ratings and Reviews

At Northwestern Medicine, our patient’s feedback is important to us. While different care providers have their own unique strengths, we strive to be as transparent as possible with our quality of care.

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Overall Rating

4.9

4.9

308 Ratings

Reviews from Patients

40 Reviews

Reviews from Patients

40 Reviews

February 10, 2026

5.0

Straight forward, explains thoroughly, didn't rush through appointment.

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January 24, 2026

5.0

I liked him very much. He was very easy to talk to. He took his time and explained what the first steps of plan will be. He has a very comforting manner.

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January 07, 2026

5.0

He explains everything well and is patient with questions.

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January 04, 2026

5.0

He makes sure to explain everything in detail

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December 10, 2025

5.0

I am pleased with his level of experience in my area of need. Also, I am grateful that he is able to help me take care of my severely stenotic bicuspid aortic valve now that I am experiencing multiple uncomfortable symptoms.

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November 29, 2025

5.0

Very easy to talk to and was able to explain procedures and plan for surgery in terms I can comprehend. Provided with a plan to move forward.

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November 18, 2025

5.0

Clear idea of situation

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November 02, 2025

5.0

He was all that I had expected.

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October 31, 2025

5.0

Dr Johnston has been extremely professional, informative and patient with all of the questions I have posed to him. He was very reassuring in his assessments of my cardiac related tests. I have a very high level of confidence in my interactions as Dr Johnston has demonstrated great knowledge and advice.

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October 25, 2025

5.0

Superior Reputation

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October 23, 2025

4.0

The doctor was polite and listened to my questions/concerns and I felt he did allow me enough time to feel comfortable in asking and getting my questions answered.

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October 16, 2025

5.0

Good listener. Doctor Johnston explains and answers my questions very well. It help lessen my fear of surgery.

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October 12, 2025

5.0

He is highly recommended by my sister who worked with him at the Cleveland Clinic. He has many surgeries behind him and he is a thoughtful man. I trust him.

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October 10, 2025

5.0

Really nice

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October 06, 2025

5.0

Live in Northwest Indiana doctor is new to me very knowledgeable and very patient orientated

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October 06, 2025

5.0

He's a very down to earth physician.

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October 02, 2025

5.0

See above - he obviously knows what he's doing and is extremely careful in how he answers questions - he gives facts, his opinions, and made me feel comfortable and non-rushed.

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September 18, 2025

5.0

He was so kind, explained things so I could understand. He made my husband and I feel very confident about proceeding with surgery.

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August 29, 2025

5.0

Seemed very concerned and knowledgeable.

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August 25, 2025

5.0

He was really professional and knowledgeable. Answered all of our questions and concerns without hesitation.

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August 25, 2025

5.0

He is very good at explaining everything.

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August 24, 2025

5.0

Professional, yet caring and understanding. I genuinely felt like he was talking to me.

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August 21, 2025

5.0

He has researched my situation and come up witj a realistic plan

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July 28, 2025

5.0

I will only see Dr. J for any of my heart issues.Will travel to Chicago or anywhere for him.Our large family is 100% in on Dr. J... as mentioned above he saved my life in May of 2012

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July 28, 2025

5.0

Dr. Johnson proved to be exceedingly informative and addressed all inquiries. Furthermore, Dr. Johnson demonstrated exceptional listening skills and communicated with assuredness.

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July 23, 2025

5.0

He took his time to explain everything.

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July 19, 2025

5.0

Dr Johnston took the time to review my history and test results before my appointment. We were able to have a very direct and informed conversation about my condition and agree on next steps.

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July 09, 2025

5.0

Very informative great reputation

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July 09, 2025

5.0

Dr. Johnston and his staff have been reachable and responsive. I'm very grateful to have this expertise in radiation heart disease available to me.

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July 03, 2025

4.0

Google communication abilities.

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July 01, 2025

5.0

Dr Johnston appears to be an excellent surgeon.

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July 01, 2025

5.0

He has an unsurpassed level of experience as well as recommendations for my case that make me comfortable that I am getting the finest care possible

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June 11, 2025

5.0

Very professional

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June 07, 2025

5.0

He is intelligent and caring, I know I'm in the right hands.

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June 03, 2025

5.0

Dr. Johnston came recommended to me by another surgeon for this procedure, and his performance during our initial consultation and our recently concluded pre-op session confirmed that he is the right person to perform this procedure on me. That was further reinforced by the high quality of the staff members on Dr. Johnston's team, especially as all displayed interest, patience, professionalism, and positive personality traits during our electronic and in-person meetings.

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May 28, 2025

5.0

He took his time explaining and answering my questions. I'm having heart valve replacement and did my research on hospitals and doctors, so I chose Northwestern. A world class hospital.

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May 27, 2025

5.0

Dr. Johnston was very informative and did not rush my wife and me during the consult. He was very thorough about what lies ahead for me and allayed any fears I had about the upcoming surgery. He was very professional and patient with us.

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May 14, 2025

5.0

He spent the time to explain everything thoroughly, he answered each and every one of my questions thoughtfully, he convinced me that he cares about my future and will do everything he can to help me lead a healthier life.

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May 07, 2025

5.0

Dr. Johnston took his time and addressed my concerns. He also discussed his background and experience.

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May 06, 2025

5.0

He was recommended by another doctor and I value their opinion.

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Disclosures

Industry Relationships

Ownership or Investment Interest

Faculty member and/or their immediate family have an ownership or investment interest in the following companies

Beyond Limits, Inc.
HD Medical, Inc

Consulting

Faculty member and/or their immediate family have engaged in activities such as speaking, advising, consulting, or providing educational programs for the following companies or other entities

American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS)
Edwards Lifesciences, LLC
Medtronic, Inc.

Royalties

Faculty member and/or their immediate family have the right to receive payments or may receive future financial benefits for inventions or discoveries related to the following companies or other entities

MedRespond

Faculty member received compensation for medical record consultation and/or expert witness testimony.

External Professional Relationships

Pharmaceutical, device, and biotechnology companies frequently collaborate with basic scientists and physicians within an academic medical center to help advance science and improve patient care. These relationships are important in achieving scientific breakthroughs and in establishing the effectiveness and safety of promising new therapies. In order to assure objectivity in clinical research and patient care, the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (Feinberg), Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, Children's Hospital of Chicago Medical Center, and the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab have adopted integrity policies that require research and clinical faculty (in full-time, part-time, and unpaid/voluntary categories) to report compensated and uncompensated external industry relationships. Patients are encouraged to discuss these disclosures with their physician as well as to inquire as to how these relationships are overseen by Feinberg. To learn more about our Disclosure and Professional Integrity Policy, and the conflict of interest policies of our joint affiliate survey partners, please go to our Office for Regulatory Affairs Policies page.

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HealthBeat

A Life-Changing Surgery in the Face of a Lifelong Heart Condition

Nick Dakins needed a complex aortic root aneurysm repair surgery because he was born with transposition of the great arteries.

What Is Endocarditis?

When your heart gets an infection.

More HealthBeat Articles