In this episode, Dr. Tom Varghese interviews Dr. Bartley Griffith, professor of surgery at the University of Maryland Medical Center, and the first surgeon to successfully transplant a genetically modified pig heart into a human patient. In the episode, we learn about his upbringing in Pittsburgh and his upward trajectory in academia. Hear about his hilarious first attempts while learning to perform heart transplants, his mentors in Pittsburgh, and his move to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Dr. Griffith discusses the first animal-to-human heart transplant, the work he and his team did in preparation, and how they shattered the barriers around xenotransplantation. Finally, Dr. Griffith talks about the growth opportunities he sees in cardiac surgery and how innovation can shape the future.   

“Same Surgeon, Different Light” is a program from the Society designed to demystify cardiothoracic surgery, revealing the men and women behind their surgical masks. The podcast series is supported by AstraZeneca.

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