SELF EXAM:

Occupation: Cardio Thoracic Surgeon, Professor of Surgery, Author, Talk Show Host

Alternative career choice: Professional Athlete

What do rock stars and scienctists have in common: Both search meaning and knowledge beyond what's immediately apparent to the senses. Both must be able to approach their work without fear, with total confidence and be unswayed by circemstances or the opinion of others.

Musical Instrument I Play: Piano

I tend to approach life: with total optimism. I believe people are inherently good. I choose to be happy about the positive things rather than dwell on the negative. That choice has made all difference.

Biggest misconceptions about me or my work: is that there is vast difference between the operating room and the studio. They both are places where i rely on a team of experts to do their jobs well. They both involve teaching. They can both save lives.

Worst part-time job ever: Cutting shrubs for my county growing up

Longest med school study session: Pharmacology on the board exam was tough

Best moment in medicine/research: Discovering how we could change heart valves without opening the chest for surgery

ABOUT MY RESEARCH:

Disease Area: I am a cardio thoracic surgeon that performs all types of heart surgery and transplants.

Research Area: Research interests include heart replacement surgery, minimally invasive cardiac surgery, and complementary medicine. I have authored over 400 original publications, book chapters, and medical books and has received several patents.

Science Impact/Accomplishments or Goal: I hold patents on several devices and solutions which have been instrumental in keeping patients alive. I invented the major non-invasive mitral valve repair technique (e-valve sold to abbott labs) and helped found the company (pvt which was sold to edwards) that makes the main aortic valve replacement device used in the world.

Research Description: Innovative ways to change the human heart including heart transplantation and mechanical hearts. We conducted the clinical trials showing the benefits of these treatments and helped advance the field.