Quote

At heart, I'm a reconstructive surgeon.

As a heart surgeon I am on constant call, and when not researching or giving lectures, I like to be with my family.

I don't write on topics that require a lot of urgency. But in 'Stiff,' I wanted to change people's hearts about organ donation. Whenever I get a chance, I try to talk about that.

I'm giving life lessons and tips on how to take care of your emotional heart, because heart disease is the number-one killer in America.

I knew that my father was going to die of heart disease, and I was trying to make a heart for him.

I was a heart surgeon before I came to Congress, and I've worked many holidays on behalf of my patients.

If I get hit by a bus tomorrow, my patients will not even be postponed. Another surgeon would step in and take over. The reason to do research and writing is that it at least makes me feel not entirely replaceable. If I didn't write, I don't know if I would do surgery.

The only thing left that shows I was a heart patient is I have a scar down the middle of my chest where they went in three times to do open heart surgery. I have a brand new heart inside, and all the mechanical and electronic gear and so forth is all gone.

I hope I can become a voice for all cancers and all patients.

The importance of heart health became very real for me when my father died of heart disease seven years ago. Having experienced the loss first hand, I am inspired to do everything I can to break the cycle and prevent families from losing loved ones to this preventable disease.