In this episode, Dr. David Tom Cooke interviews accomplished thoracic surgical oncologist and clinical researcher Dr. Loretta Erhunmwunsee from City of Hope in Duarte, California. This episode explores her journey from an early childhood in the Bronx, New York, to growing up in Montgomery, Alabama. Dr. Erhunmwunsee’s experience as a “southern black Christian girl who grew up in a Nigerian home” opened her eyes to the importance of different perspectives, backgrounds, and cultures. “It’s the way to win,” she shares. Listeners will learn that Dr. Erhunmwunsee chose a career in cardiothoracic surgery because “there is no place more beautiful than the chest—the beating heart, the lungs that are inflating and deflating—doing their own thing, but working in concert.” She explains her passion surrounding the removal and better understanding of cancer. Hear also what Dr. Erhunmwunsee says about sponsorship and mentorship, as well as the future of thoracic oncology and the role of multidisciplinary evaluation. “Same Surgeon, Different Light” is a program from the Society designed to demystify cardiothoracic surgery, revealing the men and women behind their surgical masks.

Learn more about STS diversity and inclusion efforts at sts.org/diversity.

Patients can learn more about cardiothoracic diseases and their treatments at ctsurgerypatients.org.