Cardiovascular Surgery

INTERVIEW #11 Conducted by 2001-02 Division Coordinator, Erik Glassman (Boston U.) Douglas J. Mathisen, Professor of Surgery at Harvard University

Biography: Dr. Mathisen attended University of Illinois as an undergratuate and majored in Biology. He continued his medical school training there and completed his residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he also completed his cardiothoracic surgery fellowship. Additionally, he completed some training at the National Institute of Health, Surgery Branch Cancer Institut.

Do you have any particular interests in cardiovascular surgery? Airway surgery, advanced thoracic malignancies Does the institution you are at now or the institution you did your fellowship at split Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery into two separate departments? Yes What attracted you to cardiovascular surgery? Variety of surgery, ability to do wide variety of cases, elective surgery predominantly. Throughout your training, what has been the hardest thing to deal with? Limited availability of time How would you classify the competitiveness of obtaining one of the cardiothoracic surgery fellowship spots? Top spots very competitive, but those interested can almost always secure a spot. Do you have any suggestions or advice for premedical or medical students considering a career in cardiothoracic surgery? Get involved early, do research, write papers in field What would you say is the most common medical condition seen by cardiothoracic surgeons today? Coronary artery disease; lung cancer In 15 years, where do you see the subspecialty of cardiothoracic surgery? More minimally invasive procedures, improved outcomes in lung cancer, earlier detection, improved chemotherapy What do you see as the three most important advances in cardiothoracic surgery over the past 25 years? Widespread availability of coronary bypass with lower mortality rates Neoadjuvant therapy plus surgery to treat thoracic malignancies Congenital surgery in neonates What do you see as the three most important advances in cardiothoracic surgery over the next 25 years? Gene therapy/medical therapy for atherosclerosis Genetic factors in cancer Genetic manipulations in thoracic malignancies