Matthew M. Duda, MD
Cardiothoracic Surgery Resident
Matthew Duda, MD, is a resident in the Integrated Cardiothoracic Surgery Program. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and completed his medical training at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
What do you enjoy most about cardiothoracic surgery as a career?
Cardiothoracic surgery is among the most interdisciplinary specialties requiring intimate knowledge of cardiac anatomy and physiology, echocardiography, perfusion, biomechanical engineering, and more. The opportunity to learn about these disciplines while profoundly impacting patients' lives excites me the most about the field!
What do you enjoy most about training at Stanford?
Everyone at Stanford, from the operating room to the clinic or laboratory bench, is an expert at his or her craft. It's difficult to imagine a more accomplished and collaborative environment to work in.
What has been the most interesting experience from your residency so far?
I'm constantly impressed by the growth I've seen in my co-interns and myself throughout the year. I remember struggling to make simple patient-care decisions during my first rotation. I wondered how I could ever manage an entire service while teaching medical students, educating patients, safely operating, and more. Nonetheless, day by day, week by week, my co-residents and I developed more comfort and confidence with each of those responsibilities. Now, we can juggle them all! What's exciting is that once they became more routine, I could focus more on the reason I pursued surgery: connecting with and helping patients. I look forward to continuing that trend during year two.
What was your experience like during the interviewing and matching process?
My year's Match process was unique because it occurred entirely during the pandemic. Students applying to cardiothoracic surgery residencies typically complete a number of away rotations at different institutions. My co-applicants and I couldn't do any. They also drive or fly together to different interviews across the country. Instead, we all barely left our homes for virtual interviews. Still, our class knew we were in this together. We made the best of the situation by meeting outside of interviews to get to know each other and discuss our experiences. Fortunately, I've now had the opportunity to meet a bunch of my co-applicants, including my two amazing co-interns, and I'm at a program that I love! It all has a way of working out in the end.
What advice would you give to medical students?
The Match process is very challenging. Every applicant has different expectations about what program constitutes a good "fit" for them. Understand that your priorities do not need to mirror another applicant and vice versa. Remember your goals for your career, your family, and yourself, and pursue them without apology. Also, remember that the Match is equally challenging for your co-applicants; support each other! The entire ordeal becomes much more enjoyable when shared with friends, including the new ones you meet along the way.
What's your favorite thing(s) about the Bay Area/California?
The best thing about living in the Bay Area is the ability to transport yourself somewhere completely different by just traveling a couple of miles in any direction. San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Napa Valley, Big Sur, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, Sequoia, and so much more are all so accessible from Palo Alto. You can spend your time away from the hospital in some of the most amazing places in the country. One of my favorite things to do is travel to those places with my partner, Tori, and our rescue puppy, Aspen, whom we adopted this year!
