John S. Triantafilou, PAC

John Triantafilou, PA-C is an experienced physician assistant with more than a decade of clinical practice in critical care, cardiac surgery, emergency medicine, urgent care, and orthopedic surgery. Since 2014, he has served in the Cardiac Surgery ICU at the University of Rochester Medical Center, p...

John Triantafilou, PA-C is an experienced physician assistant with more than a decade of clinical practice in critical care, cardiac surgery, emergency medicine, urgent care, and orthopedic surgery. Since 2014, he has served in the Cardiac Surgery ICU at the University of Rochester Medical Center, providing advanced care for critically ill postoperative cardiac patients, including those requiring heart transplantation, LVAD support, ECMO, Impella devices, intra-aortic balloon pumps, and complex cardiac surgical interventions. He is skilled in a broad range of bedside procedures, including central venous catheter placement, arterial line insertion, pulmonary artery catheter management, pacemaker management, and mechanical circulatory support.
In addition to his clinical responsibilities, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to education and leadership. As Education and Orientation Coordinator for University of Rochester Urgent Care (2018–2024), he developed staff training programs, coordinated educational initiatives with national presenters, and led onboarding and orientation efforts for new clinical personnel. His experience also includes emergency medicine practice at Highland Hospital and orthopedic surgery coverage involving both operative and emergency care.
Beyond medicine, John has a unique background in spiritual care, having completed extensive Clinical Pastoral Education and served as a hospital chaplain and chaplain resident before entering the physician assistant profession. This experience provided over 2,500 hours of direct patient and family support in acute care and long-term care settings, strengthening his communication, counseling, and patient-centered care skills.
Academically, he earned a BS/MS in Physician Assistant Studies from D’Youville University, graduating Magna Cum Laude and receiving the Health Foundation of Western and Central New York Scholarship for Geriatrics. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Divinity from Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. Additionally, he completed a Diploma in Byzantine Music with honors from the Hellenic Conservatory in Cyprus.
John has contributed to healthcare education as an Assistant Clinical Professor and PA student preceptor, served on admissions interview panels for physician assistant candidates, and worked as a teaching assistant in gross anatomy. He maintains active certification through the NCCPA and holds advanced credentials in BLS, ACLS, Fundamentals of Critical Care Support, and Mechanical Circulatory Support/LVAD management. Fluent in both English and Greek, he brings a multidisciplinary perspective that integrates critical care expertise, education, leadership, and compassionate patient care.