title: History of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Columbia University: A Century at the Vanguard of Clinical Care, Education, and Innovation.
abstract: The Columbia University Cardiothoracic Surgery Program dates back to the earliest days of the specialty itself, when the first pioneers ventured into the chest, and eventually the heart, to treat diseases previously believed to be beyond the reach of medicine. This spirit of innovation, creativity, and vision has grown over the ensuing century and has driven the development of advances that have defined the specialty and saved countless lives. From novel techniques for the repair of complex congenital cardiac defects and acquired cardiovascular diseases, to comprehensive management of lung and esophageal maladies, and to the marvel of minimally invasive and percutaneous interventions, the march of progress has never been stronger, more dramatic, or more consequential that it is at Columbia today. Fueled by people who -- as descendants of those early pioneers -- have been raised in the "Columbia culture," the commitment to innovation and education has never been greater.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York. Electronic address: ma66@columbia.edu.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Argenziano
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Craig R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Henry M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Spotnitz
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Kenneth M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Steinglass
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Emile
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bacha
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers / Q000266:history*; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000266:history; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education / Q000266:history*; D002309:Cardiology / Q000193:education / Q000266:history*; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000266:history*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000266:history* / Q000601:surgery; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D009519:New York City; D013903:Thoracic Surgery / Q000193:education / Q000266:history*
keywords: Columbia University; cardiothoracic surgery; history; innovation