Jeffery Morgan Making A Difference In People’s Lives

Dr. Jeffery Morgan is a Cardiothoracic Surgeon. He trained at Mount Sinai in general surgery, he continued his training at  New York University in Manhattan for cardiothoracic surgery. Following his cardiothoracic surgery training, he went on to  Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City to train on Cardiac Transplants and Mechanical Support.

Dr. Morgan is passionate about his desire to make a positive impact on not only the life of his patients but also the lives of their families. He believes that it is an honor to serve the patients and families who put their trust and faith in his hands and his expertise. He consistently strives to learn and improve and to serve his patients with optimal care. He believes in treating his patients as though they are family.

Dr. Morgan’s focus is on general adult cardiac surgery, bypasses and valve, and aortic surgery. He also practices heart transplantation and a mechanical assist for patients with advanced heart failure.

He is passionate about patient care and doing everything possible to ensure excellent patient care outcome. He is involved and interested in clinical research. The research looks at doctors outcome and results and asks what we could do better or differently to produce even better results for patients.

Tell us a bit about what you do.

I am an adult cardiac surgeon. I take care of coronary artery disease and valvular issues with the heart. I frequently do coronary bypass surgery and valve repair and replacement. My focus is also on heart failure and patients with end-stage heart failure. I perform transplantation as well as left ventricular assist devices (also known as LVAD). This is a technology that is thought of by many to be an artificial heart. This is where we implant a pump into the heart that helps the heart in a patient with severe or advanced heart failure. It helps them live longer, feel better, and get back to their life and daily activity before they had heart failure. Due to the fact that there aren’t enough hearts to go around these artificial heart therapies have become more popular.

What gave you the idea of becoming a doctor? How did it start?

I first had the idea to become a doctor when I was a young boy. My uncle is a cardiologist and I spent time with him and was inspired by him. I gravitated toward surgery when I was in medical school. I viewed it as an incredible way to have a significant impact on patients lives. It is very gratifying to be able to help people on a daily basis. Patients with heart disease are often so sick and in need of surgery. I interact with their families. I treat my patients as though they are family members. It is a privilege to be a cardiac surgeon. I love what I do. I love going to work every day and making a difference in peoples lives

What’s your favorite thing about your chosen profession?

My favorite thing about my job is the ability to make a difference in peoples lives every day. Every operation that we do, we give people more time and more years on this earth. They get to be with their family and their friends and communities. We also build a special relationship with the patient and the family where they trust us and give over their lives to us for that time during surgery. It is a great honor and privilege. It is something that I think about often. What it truly comes down to is the ability to impact lives and make a difference every day.

What keys to being productive can you share with us?

The keys to making myself productive are first, preparation. You really have to prepare mentally before you go into surgery. You have to think about the surgery that you are going to perform. I often go over them in my mind. I think about how I want to do the surgery and possible challenges that could arise during the surgery and how I would deal with those challenges. I think mental rehearsal and preparation is really important. Teamwork is also critical during cardiac surgery. You work with many members of a team. The individuals who work with the team are so important. They are as important or more important at times. So the ability to get along well with cardiology colleagues, nurses, physicians assistants, and residence and interact as a team is critical. I enjoy that. Also, being transparent with patients and families is critical. Explaining the risks and benefits and what to expect after the surgery. Explaining what the possible complications and outcomes. And just being readily available and open in communications with the patients and family

Tell us one long-term goal in your career

One long-term goal in my career is to take each day and try to become a better surgeon. I think about things over and over again. Every person and operation is slightly different. You notice those differences. My long-term goal is to be the best cardiac surgeon that I can be for my patients. I want to be fully competent and have the expertise to confront any challenge in or outside of the operating room. I want to benefit my patients and their outcome in the best way possible.

What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned through the course of your career?

The most valuable lesson I learned the need to have a short memory. What I mean by that is that each day is a new day. While you have to learn from and remember and build from your experiences, you have to make each day a new day. You can not bring any of the negative aspects of things that may have happened on previous days. You have to have a fresh open mind each day.  Each day should bring new excitement, desire, and commitment to taking care of our patients each day. Our patients deserve the best care that we can provide. You have to release any issues or past events that occurred.

What advice would you give to others aspiring to succeed in your field?

I would tell others who want to succeed in the field of cardiac surgery to be informed that it is a long road of training and then a long learning curve once you are finished. You have to be prepared for the long-haul. You have to be comfortable with the process taking years. You won’t always feel comfortable. It takes time to know that you can handle everything and that you’ve seen everything. There are so many different ways that you can handle challenges that may come up, that in itself will take many, many years before you can fully have the appropriate confidence that you will succeed. This is a normal type of process. But, be relentless and persistent and persevere and if it is your true passion and calling then you should go after it with full force.

What are your favorite things to do outside of work?

My favorite things to do are to be with my family. I have a wife and four kids. They range in age from nine to fourteen. I love spending time with them. I love going to their sporting events and their plays and many of their extracurricular activities and to make an impact on their lives. I appreciate that kids grow up very quickly. I try my best to be available and cherish those opportunities.

Name a few influential books you’ve read and/or websites you keep up with that you’d recommend to readers.

I follow the websites of CNN and the New York Times very carefully. I think it is really important to know what is going on in the world not just locally, but internationally as well. We should be at the forefront of the news politically, nationally, and economically. We need to be aware of your surroundings and interact with your surroundings. That all starts with being well informed.

What advice would you give your younger self?

I would tell my younger self to remember that it is a marathon, not a sprint. It is so easy to get caught up in the particular task-at-hand or project or deadline. You can begin to think it is now or never. Life and ones’ career and trajectory is a marathon. You have to pace yourself and expect ups and downs and deal with them appropriately and keep yourself on track for the long-haul.

For more information, visit Dr. Jeffrey Morgan’s website at drjeffreymorgan.com.

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