Cardiology, Research and Training: An Interview With Professor Eugene Braunwald.

Professor Eugene Braunwald, often referred to as the 'Father of Modern Cardiology', has contributed significantly to medicine and cardiology. He is best known for the acclaimed textbook Braunwald's Heart Disease and for being the founding chairman of the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) Study Group. Our primary aim is to highlight his experiences and the guidance that he has to offer to future generations of medical trainees and professionals. An interview with Prof. Braunwald provided the authors with an insight into his journey in medicine. A range of questions were posed pertaining to his struggles and accomplishments in cardiology, his perspectives on the future of cardiology and research, as well as his advice to current and future medical professionals.1 Positive role models are an inspiration to all, regardless of the stage in their career. With hard work, unwavering dedication and a strong desire to make a positive difference to patients and the field, the opportunities are endless. Whether it is clinical or bench research, advances in clinical cardiology and research usually go hand-in-hand. Although primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease remain of critical importance, it is now time to focus on primordial prevention to step back and reduce the development of the risk factors for the future development of cardiovascular disease in the first place. There have been significant advances in cardiology over the past two-thirds of the century during which Prof. Braunwald trained and then led the field. However, there is still much work to be done. Mentors and medical institutions alike must work towards a common goal of 'igniting the fire' within the new generation of clinicians and investigators who will then propel this important specialty to ever greater heights.

Nina Braunwald: A Female Pioneer in Cardiac Surgery.

Nina Starr Braunwald, the first female cardiac surgeon, made headlines during a time when almost all specialty surgeons were men. Women have typically been deterred from entering surgical specialties, in part because of their traditional dual burden of managing their households and careers. Instead, female medical students and junior doctors have tended to be more attracted to medical specialties. This was the reality during Dr. Braunwald's venture into medicine in 1949. However, she never allowed negative ideas to keep her from joining a surgical training program. Under the mentorship of the prominent cardiac surgeons Charles Hufnagel and Andrew Morrow, Dr. Braunwald progressed in her career by conducting research that led to her development and implantation of the first prosthetic mitral valve. She was also a great teacher. Dr. Braunwald balanced her personal and professional activities admirably, and her example still inspires female doctors to consider careers in cardiothoracic surgery. In this report, we provide details of her impact on cardiac surgery and insights into her successes.