Physician Profile: Cardiothoracic Surgeon Loves Family Time and Scuba Diving

Premier Pulse November 2020 Nov 24, 2020

What is your clinical specialty?

Cardiothoracic surgery

Where did you go to school?

Lake Erie College of Medicine

Penn State University for undergrad

What brought you to Premier Health?

I wanted to stay within Ohio so I can be close to friends and family and I wanted to be a part of a larger, tertiary care referral health care system.

Why did you choose medicine as a career?

I enjoyed biological sciences and, more importantly, the ability to help people feel better during times of sickness.

Who are the people who influenced and/or mentored you?

My patients and wife, my college hockey coach at Penn State, all the CT surgeons at Ohio State who trained me, and my current partners at Cardiothoracic Surgery Associates.

What is one thing most people don’t know about you?

I played collegiate hockey at Penn State for two years before focusing on medicine. My coach wrote a book titled “Pragmatic Passion” and wrote a segment that was dedicated to my trials and tribulations related to being a collegiate athlete and my desire to succeed as a doctor.

Where is your hometown?

Suburbs outside of Cleveland, Ohio

What, if any, sports team(s) do you cheer for?

OH-IO Buckeyes, Penn State, Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Indians, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Columbus Blue Jackets

What is the last book you read?

Bible and “The 5AM Club”

What is your favorite song in your playlist?

Cannot pick just one. I usually have a playlist with country, blues, or reggae/tropical vibes music.

What is your favorite food?

Italian and seafood

What is your favorite hobby?

Spending time with my wife and two kids and scuba diving

What is your favorite animal, and why?

Sea turtle! I can’t think of a better way to spend 100 years of life just floating and swimming along in the tropical oceans. Just a peaceful and graceful animal.

Where is your favorite vacation spot, and why?

Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, and the Virgin Islands are my favorite, but basically anywhere in the Caribbean. There is something about the teal ocean water, the soft sand, and island life that is just good for my soul.

Describe something (a thing, person, place, experience, etc.) for which you are especially thankful:

I am extremely thankful for my wife and family. In CT surgery, not everybody will get better and sometimes we have patients who pass away. My wife is amazing at listening and understanding when I have those bad days. She supports my professional/career goals and ambitions and always has since my residency. As a heart surgeon, there are days/nights/weeks/years that have been and will be more challenging than others. For this reason, I am extremely grateful for her support!