Interview
1. What is the most difficult part about being a surgeon?
Taking care of a patient that is not doing well. Not knowing whether your interventions will make a difference in their outcome is stressful.

2. What are some specific skills required to be/become a surgeon?
First brains, second hard work.
3. Is there any controversy in the surgical field?
There are multiple opinions, it is an evolving field. You have to stay on top of the most current interventions. The fact about cardiology is that it is driven by controversy; therefore you have to be aware of what is being attempted, discussed and considered best practice.

4. Which surgical specialization do you find the most interesting, regardless of what you're working in?
Of course cardiology because it encompasses multiple different specialties…Cardiology; cardio-thoracic; vascular; thoracic; and interventional radiology.

5. How many years of schooling did it take for you to become a successful surgeon?
You have to finish 4 years of undergrad, 4 years of medical school and then 6-7 years of residency. About 17 years after high school.