Hi everybody,

I wanted you all to know that HeartValveSurgeons.com – the world’s first heart valve surgeon directory created by patients, caregivers and surgeons — has undergone some great enhancements lately.

In addition to giving the site a new look-and-feel, we have begun embedding surgeon videos throughout the website. That way, you can learn more about heart valve surgeons via interviews, patient success stories, clinical research and operating room observations.

Also, if you would like to help expand this educational effort… Please, please consider adding your own surgeon experience to the database. That’s right! If you are a former patient, you can help! Simply click here to learn more. (It only takes 5 minutes.)

Keep on tickin!

Thanks to Becky, I just learned that Barbara Walters is hosting a special program about heart surgery titled, “A Matter of Life & Death”. The show will air on ABC at 10pm (EST), Friday, February 4.

Robin Williams & Barbara Walters – Heart Valve Surgery Patients

Guests scheduled to appear on the show include:

• Former President Bill Clinton had a coronary artery bypass graft procedure (CABG).
• Actor / Comedian Robin Williams had aortic and mitral valve surgery.
• TV host David Letterman had a CABG.
• TV host Regis Philbin had a CABG.
• TV host Charlie Rose had heart valve surgery.

If you didn’t know, Barbara Walters had aortic valve replacement surgery last May.

Needless to say, our DVR is already set to record this very special show!!!

Keep on tickin!

I am very excited to introduce the first of several “Surgeon Video Blogs” that were filmed at the 47th annual Society of Thoracic Surgeons meeting earlier this week.

In this video, Dr. Richard J. Shemin, chief of cardiothoracic surgery at UCLA Medical Center, responds to Barbara’s question, “Can minimally invasive aortic valve surgery occur if there is an aneurysm of the ascending aorta?”

Below, I have included a video transcript for the hearing impaired:

Read the rest of this entry »

Five years after heart valve surgery, I find myself taking incredible steps on this journey of patient education, patient research and patient empowerment.

Last February, I was encouraged to exhibit at the annual meeting of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. During a tour of the East Carolina Heart Institute, Dr. Randolph Chitwood said to me, “Adam – You’re doing some great work. You should go to STS so the other surgeons can learn about your book and websites.”

Me and Monica (My Sister) After Setting Up Our Booth

At the time, I didn’t know what the acronym “STS” stood for. But, as you can see in these pictures, I took Dr. Chitwood’s advice.

Prior to STS, I had never been to a medical convention. As the event approached, I quickly became overwhelmed. Luckily, Monica, my sister, has been to many conventions and she agreed to help plan the event — which took us 3 months.

Without Monica, I think the convention could have been a complete disaster. Instead, the event was amazing! Over the next few weeks, I’m going to post highlights from this incredible convention.

Filming A Surgeon Video Blog At STS With Dr. Richard J. Shemin,
UCLA Medical Center, Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery

I think a key highlight for our patient and caregiver community will be the “Surgeon Video Blogs”. (Yes! I took your questions from “Any Questions For The World’s Leading Heart Valve Surgeons?” and asked them directly to the surgeons.)

That said… Stay tuned!!!

Keep on tickin!