He is a pioneer in surgical technique to improve aortic and valve surgery for patients with Marfan syndrome. He has held leadership positions at hospitals and academic institutions, including Washington University School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, St. Louis Regional Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri and Missouri Baptist Medical Center. Dr. Kouchoukos is a graduate of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. From 1961 to 1967, he served in the Unites States Air Force. In 2016, he was named Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular and Thoracic Services at Missouri Baptist Medical Center.