Dear Incoming Trainees,
Left, Associate Program Director, Charles Mack, MD; Right, Program Director, Sebron Harrison, MD
It is with great pride and excitement that I welcome you to the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. You are joining a program with a rich legacy of surgical excellence, academic innovation, and a deep commitment to patient-centered care.
As Program Director, I am honored to guide you through a transformative training experience. Our department offers a rigorous and supportive environment where you will develop the technical skills, clinical judgment, and leadership qualities essential to becoming a world-class cardiothoracic surgeon.
You are now part of a distinguished lineage. Our alumni include pioneers and leaders in the field—such as Dr. Leonard N. Girardi, current Chair of Cardiothoracic Surgery and a nationally recognized expert in complex aortic surgery; Dr. Karl Krieger, a renowned innovator in minimally invasive cardiac procedures; and Dr. Nasser K. Altorki, a global authority in thoracic oncology whose groundbreaking work in lung cancer surgery and translational research has redefined standards of care. Dr. Altorki’s leadership in advancing minimally invasive techniques and his contributions to clinical trials have had a profound impact on the field and continue to inspire thoracic surgeons worldwide.
We are also proud to be home to one of the nation’s leading heart transplant and mechanical circulatory support programs, under the direction of Dr. Yoshifumi Naka, a world-renowned surgeon and innovator in advanced heart failure therapies. Under his leadership, our transplant program continues to push boundaries in clinical outcomes, research, and multidisciplinary care—offering trainees unparalleled exposure to cutting-edge techniques and complex case management.
Throughout your training, you will work alongside faculty who are not only experts in their subspecialties but also dedicated mentors. Not only will you be exposed to a wide spectrum of cases—from advanced heart failure therapies and the full spectrum of thoracic surgical pathology to complex congenital repairs— but also our faculty will guide you during our robust didactics, journal clubs, regional and national conferences, simulations, and wet labs in order to ensure you a comprehensive and cutting-edge education.
This journey will challenge you, but it will also inspire and empower you. We are thrilled to have you join our team and look forward to supporting your growth every step of the way.
Welcome to Weill Cornell.
Sebron Harrison, M.D.
Program Director,
Associate Professor of Clinical Cardiothoracic Surgery,
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery
NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center