Same Surgeon, Different Light

Listeners will discover fascinating personal details, like why Dr. Kpodonu considers himself an “international gentleman.”

This inspirational leader shares details about growing up in Canada with a dad who was part of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and a mom who was a nurse.

Described as a leader extraordinaire, Dr. Dearani reflects on his STS presidency and shares the most challenging aspects of leading the organization during the first 10 months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Is the thoracic surgeon of tomorrow different than the thoracic surgeon of today? According to Dr. Rusch, “absolutely.”

Listeners will learn that Dr. Erhunmwunsee chose a career in cardiothoracic surgery because “there is no place more beautiful than the chest—the beating heart, the lungs that are inflating and deflating—doing their own thing, but working in concert.”

When it comes to the triple threat in academic surgery, Dr. Tseng “walks the walk.”

In 1975, when he and his family came to the US as political refugees from their native Vietnam, they were among the first Vietnamese to put their “feet in the soil” of this country.

The awe-inspiring journey of Dr. Preventza—an internationally known expert in aortic surgery—started in Athens, Greece, where she grew up and later attended medical school.

Once called a “little brown kid,” Dr. Gangadharan recognizes that oftentimes, experiences that you’re having are “highly dependent” on factors such as the color of your skin, your last name, and your religion.

Listeners will learn about Dr. Edwards’s experiences as a woman of Jamaican descent who spent many of her formative years in Canada.

Described as the “embodiment of the academic quadruple threat—with excellence in clinical work, research, education, and leadership,” Dr. Wood is considered a giant in cardiothoracic surgery who is responsible for building a world-class Center of Excellence in thoracic surgery at the University of Washington.

Listeners will learn that Dr. Blackmon initially pursued a career in art, selling her paintings in the gallery where she worked.