Dr. James K. Kirklin is an esteemed cardiac surgeon renowned for his significant scientific and surgical contributions to heart transplantation and mechanical circulatory support. Prior to launching Kirklin Solutions, Dr. Kirklin served as a Professor of Surgery for 35 years at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), where he also held several key leadership positions. These include Director of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery (2006-2016), Director of the James and John Kirklin Institute for Research in Surgical Outcomes (KIRSO) (2016-2022), and Co-Director of the Comprehensive Cardiovascular Center (2011-2017). During his tenure at UAB, he was honored with the UAB Cardiovascular Research Chair (1998-2006), the John Kirklin Chair of Cardiovascular Surgery (2006-2017), and the James Kirklin Chair of Cardiothoracic Surgery (2017-2022). Dr. Kirklin’s legacy in cardiac surgery continues to influence and advance the field globally.

Dr. Kirklin earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and his master’s degree in mathematics from Ohio State University. Outside of his responsibilities at Kirklin Solutions, Dr. Kirklin enjoys boating, scuba diving, and spending time with his family

Craig Collum serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Kirklin Solutions, Inc. (KIRSO) while holding the position of Executive Director at the Pediatric Heart Transplant Society Foundation (PHTS Foundation) since 2010. With an impressive career spanning over 25 years in the healthcare industry, Mr. Collum is renowned for his strategic acumen and unwavering commitment to improving healthcare outcomes. His professional journey includes pivotal roles such as Executive Director of the PHTS Foundation, Executive Director of Cardiothoracic Surgery Research at UAB, and the Executive Administrator of the Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS).

Mr. Collum holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Microbiology from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. His industry contributions extend to various influential panels and committees, and he has co-authored numerous academic publications. Craig’s leadership experience drives forward-thinking initiatives and advancements in healthcare research and management, exemplifying his commitment to excellence and innovation.

Outside of work, Craig enjoys weightlifting, swimming, golfing, woodworking, landscaping, and spending quality time with his family and four-legged companions.