Match Day 2023: Three new interns join cardiothoracic surgery residency program

Undergrad: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Medical School: University of Pittsburgh – Carnegie Mellon University

What do you enjoy most about cardiothoracic surgery as a career? 
Cardiothoracic surgery exists at the intersection of medicine, technology, and engineering. The surgical cases demand significant technical skill and integration of rapid advancements in technology and devices. Furthermore, heart disease prevalence continues to increase, representing a significant health issue facing the United States and the world. It is thrilling to train in cardiothoracic surgery, where one can leverage innovation to improve patient lives, and an absolute privilege to care for these patients in their time of utmost need.

What do you look forward to about training at Stanford?
Stanford is synonymous with innovation. From the attendings to the interns, all members are heavily invested in and supportive of research and innovation in every aspect of cardiothoracic surgery. Additionally, Stanford has been at the forefront of education, being one of the pioneers of the integrated training paradigm. It is an honor to learn from and train with these leading experts not only in surgical training but also in advancing the field.

Undergrad: Johns Hopkins University 
Medical School: Harvard Medical School 

What do you enjoy lost about cardiothoracic surgery as a career?
Cardiothoracic surgery can be a life-changing experience not only for patients, but also for their loved ones. My family and I know this firsthand, as I had a lifesaving heart transplant for dilated cardiomyopathy at the age of four. These experiences serve as the foundation for my passion to serve others suffering from cardiothoracic illness. Successfully treating patients with these illnesses takes a team effort, including cardiologists, intensivists, surgeons, nurses, hospital staff, and the support of their family and friends. The role of the cardiothoracic surgeon is to provide long lasting surgical solutions and requires excellent technical skills combined with a comprehensive understanding of cardiovascular physiology and anatomy. It is a privilege to take my firsthand experience as a heart transplant recipient to serve others as their surgeon, working to provide each patient with a second chance to live life to the fullest.

What do you look forward to about training at Stanford?
Stanford cardiothoracic surgery is known for its dedication to providing exceptional patient care. This commitment is reflected in its clinical excellence, cutting-edge research, and investment in training the future leaders of cardiothoracic surgery. I am thrilled to be immersed in an innovative culture that relentlessly pushes the boundaries of what is possible in cardiothoracic surgery. I look forward to collaborating in groundbreaking research in transplantation and pediatric cardiac surgery while receiving unparalleled training from world-class surgeons.

Undergrad: Stanford University
Medical School: Yale School of Medicine

What do you enjoy most about cardiothoracic surgery as a career? 
The aspect of cardiothoracic surgery I enjoy most is that it is a specialty which demands incredible technical precision while simultaneously being quite medically complex. I also love that cardiac surgery is a relatively young field which is still evolving at such a rapid pace - this makes for an exciting environment with abundant opportunities to tangibly contribute to the future of the field.

What do you look forward to about training at Stanford?
The culture of the program and the people I will have the opportunity to learn from. Stanford has an outstanding legacy of leadership and innovation in the field of cardiac surgery, and when I rotated here I found that these ideals seem to permeate the everyday culture of the program. Not only is the department at the very forefront of scientific discovery, but it is also a department that is constantly striving to improve its own clinical practice and surgical training. This indefinite commitment to self-improvement and leadership in the field are traits that resonated with me.