Page 39 - CBAC Newsletter 2016
P. 39
had knocked out. This sort of model had been done I think the best thing is when patients get better.
many times before, but the hard part was in the There is nothing more rewarding than seeing
details of getting it to work in our hands. I ended someone come back to the clinic feeling better a
up choosing a surgical ischemia-reperfusion injury few weeks after an operation.
model. I found myself dissecting out fine vessels I’m not yet to the point where my current research is
under an operating microscope, mainly guided by bearing fruit. I think the best thing I’ve done yet is
textbooks. Producing a meaningful injury while still taking a prospective clinical study that was
keeping the animals alive and comfortable was a making very slow progress and getting things
real challenge – I loved coming to work every day. moving – we’ve collected almost half the data we
Once I figured out that one could make a career out need in a few months. It took a lot of coordination
of actually making people better, I was set on with other departments to make this happen, and
surgery. Cardiac surgery is the epitome of every- I’ve picked up a lot of new skills.
thing I love about surgery – taking sick patients and To me, the CBAC means a group of basic and
performing a challenging operation to help them clinical scientists from a variety of disciplines who
feel better. are focused on studying cardiac arrhythmias. The
I attended medical school at Washington University. sort of work I am doing can’t be done in isolation;
The learning environment was fantastic – the it requires experts from multiple fields to make it
institution’s commitment to medical student happen. I’ve collaborated with individuals from
education shows. I think the best part of being at a surgery, biomedical engineering, cardiology and
place like this is being part of a community of smart radiology. Everyone has been very open and
and motivated people. The faculty taught me about helpful. The CBAC Seminar Series and last year’s
medicine; my patients taught me about life. symposium were great opportunities to learn from
After that, I was fortunate to match into the general leaders in arrhythmia research and to keep
surgery program at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. I’ve apprised of the latest developments in the field.
done two years of a five-year program. It’s the
hardest job you’ll ever love.
Current Work
I committed to a career in cardiac surgery at the “There is nothing more rewarding
end of my first year of residency. Most of us spend than seeing someone come
two years or so doing research as part of our clinical
training – it’s a privilege to get to do that. I chose back to the clinic feeling better
Dr. Damiano’s lab mainly because he has a few weeks after an operation.”
accomplished something rare and difficult in surgery
– significantly improving an operation and proving CBAC Center Heartbeat | 35
that it worked, first in the laboratory and then in the
operating room. It’s my dream to make a
contribution like that to our field someday, and I
thought that the way to learn how to do that would
be to study under someone who had changed our
field.
