In this episode, Dr. Tom Varghese interviews Dr. Daniela Molena—a thoracic surgeon and Director of Esophageal Surgery at Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, as well as the newly elected President of Women in Thoracic Surgery. Listeners will learn about her upbringing in a small Italian town and her training at one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious schools while simultaneously working as a classical dancer and competing on a national game show. Dr. Molena shares how her medical journey brought her to the United States—which required repeating much of her European training—and the importance of finding a community of supporters at each step. 

“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.