Current Residents

Undergrad: Johns Hopkins University

Medical School: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

What do you enjoy most about cardiothoracic surgery as a career?
Heart and lung disease is a painfully familiar issue to billions of patients and their family members around the world. Its surgical treatment demands the best that medicine has to offer: unparalleled technical skills, deep compassion and humanism, and razor sharp clinical acumen. To me, there is no more impressive, challenging, or rewarding pursuit than to commit to a life of service to patients who stand to benefit from undergoing cardiothoracic surgery.

What do you enjoy the most about training at Stanford?
In short: it's the culture. At Stanford Cardiothoracic Surgery, we are privileged to train in an exciting and innovative environment where we are the core focus of our dedicated faculty. Starting on day 1, residents are afforded tremendous responsibility in the care of our patients and in the operating room, and are given high expectations of our abilities. I was told early, "cardiac surgeons take control of the situation, and never operate with fear. It's who we are." This sense of identity is one of the hallmarks of this program, and I believe it sets our residents, staff, and faculty up to be extraordinary.

Undergraduate: Brown University
Medical School: Brown University

What do you enjoy most about cardiothoracic surgery as a career?

"Cardiothoracic surgery is a field that offers me the chance to make a measurable and lasting impact on the lives of patients and families every day. Its practice requires a deep understanding of anatomy and physiology in addition to technical precision and speed. As a physician, I cannot imagine a greater privilege than to apply both hand and mind towards treating some of the most prevalent and life-threatening conditions our patients face today."

What do you enjoy most about training at Stanford?

"Stanford is an institution that carries a rich legacy and tradition of cardiothoracic training and innovation. The opportunity to be part of this heritage is a truly humbling honor, and under the vision and leadership of our faculty today, I am amazed to see how we continue to push the envelope of emerging techniques and technologies in our field."

Undergraduate: University of California, San Diego
Medical School: University of California, San Francisco

What do you enjoy most about cardiothoracic surgery as a career?

"The field of Cardiothoracic surgery has a remarkable history of surgical innovation and technological ingenuity. It is a privilege to be able to work with an organ as dynamic as the heart."

What do you enjoy most about training at Stanford?

"Stanford has fostered a unique ecosystem that supports research, innovation and resident training. The residency program provides an extraordinary opportunity to train under world class surgeons committed to academic excellence."

Undergraduate: University of Florida
Medical School: University of Florida

What do you enjoy most about cardiothoracic surgery as a career?

"The field is a fascinating combination of engineering, physiology, and medicine. Most of all,  the physical finesse and the mental prowess that I've seen in the operating room are absolutely captivating."

What do you enjoy most about training at Stanford?

"The passion for teaching and the legacy are what first drew me to the program. Now, what I enjoy most about my training here is the atmosphere of being in a large family, where everyone looks out for one another."

Undergraduate: University of Illinois
Medical School: University of Illinois

What do you enjoy most about cardiothoracic surgery as a career?

"For me, it was the ideal combination of medicine and surgery. There's a lot of complex pathophysiology involved and the procedures require a great deal of technical skill. In addition, you have the opportunity and privilege of taking care of some really sick patients."

What do you enjoy most about training at Stanford?

"There's a great tradition for cardiothoracic surgery at Stanford and it's humbling to be a part of that. The emphasis on education is tremendous here and you really get the sense that they are training you not just to be good clinicians but good leaders. I also like the overall culture of Stanford and the Bay Area in terms of their enthusiasm for new ideas."

Undergradudate: Princeton University
Medical School: University of California, Los Angeles

What do you enjoy most about cardiothoracic surgery as a career? 

"Cardiothoracic surgery requires both a high degree of technical skill and complex decision making. It is one of the only fields left where you can offer people truly life-saving therapies which makes it very rewarding."

What do you enjoy most about training at Stanford?

"Stanford offers great diversity within the field of cardiac surgery with phenomenal mentors in aortic surgery and heart/lung transplant among others. Clinically, you are exposed to the entire breadth of cardiac surgery. Additionally, the opportunity to pursue innovative translational research is unparalleled."

Undergraduate: Stanford University
Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine

What do you enjoy most about cardiothoracic surgery as a career? 

"Cardiothoracic surgery demands technical perfection and vast clinical knowledge to surgically treat the complex anatomy and physiology of the heart. I find this specialty fascinating as it perpetually incorporates new technology and engineering, allowing us to continue to push the limits of our surgical capabilities."

What do you enjoy most about training at Stanford?

"Stanford is known as a pioneer in cardiothoracic surgery and has been committed to generating leaders in academic medicine who are passionate about education, innovative scientific and clinical research, and patient care. I am honored to train under a lineage of world class surgeons dating back to Dr. Shumway and his accomplishments with heart transplants."

Undergradudate: Northwestern University
Medical School: Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University

What do you enjoy most about cardiothoracic surgery as a career?

"The field of cardiothoracic surgery is the perfect marriage of complex pathophysiology, engineering principles, and the art of team work. It demands technical proficiency and precision, and continues to provide immense opportunities for innovation. I feel extremely privileged to have the opportunity to have such a profound influence on patients’ lives."

What do you enjoy most about training at Stanford?

"I was extremely impressed by the department’s legacy and philosophy of emphasizing clinical care, education and research in resident training. The bay area also offers numerous opportunities for advancement and collaborations. I am very honored and humbled to be able to train under world class surgeons who are committed to resident education and clinical excellence."