Current Residents

Undergraduate School: 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."

Undergraduate School: Johns Hopkins University

Medical School: Harvard Medical School 

What do you enjoy most 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."

Undergraduate School: University of Colorado at Boulder

Medical School: Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons 

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

"Cardiothoracic surgery represents the ultimate synergy of my passions: highly demanding and precise technical skill, constant innovation within a collaborative team to solve complex structural and clinical problems in real time, and the opportunity to live in full dedication of caring for patients of the highest acuity. It is a joy and honor to pursue a career in cardiac surgery to provide such fundamental and functional outcomes for patients."

Undergrad: Harvard College

Medical School: Harvard Medical School

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

"Cardiothoracic surgery is a dynamic field that synthesizes critical care, cardiovascular physiology, and technically challenging surgeries. The field is rapidly evolving with new technologies being incorporated into clinical care, and it is exciting to practice at the forefront of that innovation. Most importantly, cardiothoracic surgeons build trusting relationships with patients and their families in a time of fear and uncertainty. Grounded in that trust, it is a privilege to care for those patients and make a meaningful difference in their lives."

What do you enjoy most about training at Stanford?

"A pioneering institution in innovation and research, Stanford continues a long legacy of excellence in cardiothoracic surgery. The entire department is committed to the pursuit of excellence in surgical care, novel research, and resident education. I am honored to learn from such renowned faculty that are so invested in our development as surgeons, scientists, and leaders."

Undergrad: Johns Hopkins University

Medical School: Duke University School of Medicine

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

"I chose cardiothoracic surgery because it combines medically dynamic operations with a profound and immediate impact on patients. Whether it is taking a patient through an aortic arch repair, fixing a congenital heart defect, or extracting 'doughnut jelly'-like emboli from the farthest reaches of the pulmonary tree, every operation requires a different approach based on patient anatomy and physiology. It is a gift to be able to use my hands and my judgment to help others day in and day out."

What do you enjoy most about training at Stanford?

"Stanford Cardiothoracic Surgery affords the opportunity to train with exceptional colleagues and learn from world class surgeons. The culture of excellence permeates well beyond the training environment and into a collective mission of improving patient care through innovation and scientific discoveries. I am excited and grateful to be mentored by such a professionally noteworthy and dedicated faculty."

Undergraduate: 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."

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."

Undergraduate: Arizona State University

Medical School: Stanford University

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

"Cardiothoracic surgery requires both technical skill and effective working knowledge of a wide spectrum of clinical medicine and intensive care. Furthermore, operations in CT surgery deal with some of the most common and dangerous problems our patients face."

What do you enjoy most about training at Stanford?

"Stanford has a history of excellence in clinical care and cardiovascular research that speaks for itself. I am honored to train amongst the surgeons who have created and perpetuated that tradition and hope to contribute to the preservation of this department’s legacy in the future."

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: 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."

Undergrad: Harvard College

Medical School: Harvard Medical School

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

"Cardiothoracic surgery is the perfect harmony of my favorite disciplines—cardiovascular physiology, visuospatial analysis, artistic creativity, and nuanced precision of movement. Furthermore, it is a humbling field that demands collaboration and compassion to succeed for our patients."

What do you enjoy most about training at Stanford? 

"Beyond a legacy that speaks for itself, Stanford's cardiothoracic surgery program offers a uniquely ambitious and diverse community of mentors and colleagues. With a new hospital, an ever-evolving research institute, and young faculty from the nation's best institutions, Stanford is also on an exciting upward trajectory that I was eager to join and contribute toward."

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."