Professor and Director of the Division of Cardiac Surgery, OSU Department of Surgery
Director, Comprehensive Transplant Center
The John H. and Mildred C. Lumley Chair in Medicine
Recent News:
Top Transplant Expert To Lead Ohio State Program
What do you like best about practicing medicine at OSU Medical Center?
I have been impressed with the friendly and open reception I have received since arriving at Ohio State last summer. While we have many challenges ahead of us, I believe people are earnest in their willingness to help and to create solutions. It is refreshing to see this in a large academic medical center.
What excites you most about the future of medicine?
This is a very exciting time in the field of organ and tissue transplantation. We continue to develop our program to provide the best service for the citizens of central Ohio and beyond. Whether it is lifesaving organ and tissue transplants, cardiovascular surgery or innovative approaches to disease management, I believe that The Ohio State University Medical Center has the leadership, vision and resources to change the future of medicine.
How do you think P4 Medicine (medicine that is more predictive, preventive,
personalized and participatory) will change your specialty over the next 10 years?
Even though we treat patients with end-stage organ failure, we still emphasize in those patients who come to us prior to transplantation that they need to be actively participating in their care and employing strategies to prevent disease progression. Each patient has a responsibility, with our support, to prevent disease progression, whether it is heart, liver, kidney disease or diabetic complications.
Name one of your medical career mentors and tell us what you learned from him/her.
One of the most influential mentors in my career was Dr. Claude Organ. Dr. Organ was in the Army Medical Corps in the late 1950s with my father, and he was among the most distinguished and well-respected African-American surgical leaders over the past 50 years. I believe he exemplified key lessons for all young surgical faculty, particularly African-Americans: keep your head down, work hard and take advantage of the opportunities that are provided for you by being prepared.
What advice do you have for young physicians early in their careers?
We are fortunate to have the opportunity to have an extraordinary impact on people’s lives that few outside of medicine can expect. I encourage young physicians to take advantage of these opportunities and to have an impact on people’s lives one patient at a time.
Who in history would you most like to meet and why?
I would like to meet Abraham Lincoln because he had the vision and the courage to do what no man before him could do, and then he recruited his rivals to work closely with him to help implement the changes they made. I think he would look at our society today and understand the impact and opportunities that they created for African-Americans and he would be proud.
What has been your greatest accomplishment outside of your medical career?
My greatest accomplishment outside my medical career is the wonderful family that I have, including my wife, who is a transplant nurse and my best supporter and friend, and my three great kids, whom I love dearly. I hope that they continue to do great things in their lives.
Star Colleague: Clay Marsh, MD. He not only holds key administrative roles but also has an active research program. I’m impressed with his skills as a clinician, educator and researcher. He exemplifies the triple threat in modern medicine. (Clay Marsh, MD, is senior associate vice president for Health Sciences Research, vice dean for Research, director of the OSU Center for Personalized Health Care, professor of Internal Medicine, of Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics, and professor of Veterinary Biosciences.) (Read more about Dr. Marsh on page 40.
CV summary
Medical Degree: Yale University School of Medicine
Residency: Hospitals of the University Health Center of Pittsburgh, Resident and Chief Resident, General Surgery
Fellowships and Other Training: Yale University School of Medicine, Winchester Scholar in Cardiothoracic Surgery
Yale University School of Medicine, Fellow in Cardiothoracic Surgery
Papworth Hospital (Cambridge, England), Senior Registrar in Transplantation
Virginia Commonwealth University, Executive Program, Master of Science, Health Administration
National Offices or Board Positions:
• Fellow, American College of Surgeons
• Fellow, American College of Cardiology
• Board of Directors, United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS)
• President, Association of Black Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeons
• Executive Committee, Society of Black Academic Surgeons
• Fellow, the Institute of Medicine of Chicago
• Chair, Professional Standards Committee, UNOS
• President, UNOS
• President, Society of Black Academic Surgeons
Research Focus: Transplantation and mechanical circulatory support; minimally invasive cardiac surgery; outcome assessments for heart failure and cardiac surgery patients.
