Current Residents

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."

Undergrad: Dartmouth College

Medical School: Stanford School of Medicine  

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

"Nearly everyone is affected by heart disease, whether it’s through a friend, a family member, or personal history. Being able to provide life-changing and durable surgical solutions for so many patients and their loved ones is extremely rewarding. Cardiothoracic surgery is a field that requires patience, perseverance, compassion, and innovation. It is a privilege to cultivate these skills alongside admirable colleagues to help patients through some of their very hardest chapters of life."

What do you enjoy most about training at Stanford? 

"Stanford possesses the rare combination of limitless research possibilities, a deep commitment to patient care, and an investment in teaching and mentorship. Stanford’s Cardiothoracic Surgery department has been pushing the limits of surgical techniques and training paradigms for more than 50 years, and the legacy lives on through the current faculty, residents, and staff. Everyone strives to be the best surgeon, inventor, colleague, and friend they can be, resulting in a culture of excellence and camaraderie."

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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."