Fist Bump for Dr. Sophia Toles
Dr. Toles demonstrated exceptional situational awareness and astute clinical decision making in recognizing a pulmonary hemorrhage in a recently decannulated Ecmo patient. She called for help, managed the airway and resuscitation, and played a key role in rescuing this patient. Truly outstanding effort! - Dr. Nazish Hashmi
Fist Bump for Adam Brown, MD
Just wanted to give a shout out to Dr. Adam Brown for his situational awareness and calm during a particularly challenging heart transplant. He had just gowned and gloved for central line placement but quickly recognized an impeding code situation that I was trying to manage with the help of our OR nursing colleagues. He quickly started working on resuscitation with me and we were able to rescue the patient. I am so impressed with his work ethic and can-do attitude. Well done, Dr. Brown. - Nazish Hashmi, MD
Fist Bump for Tori Holmes, CRNA, Jonathan Dunkman, MD and Lauren Brown, CRNA
Thanks, Tori, for coming up on a busy L&D day to give lunch breaks to my team. Tori was on a 24 in DN and the downstairs team (Jon Dunkman and Lauren Brown) was kind enough to swap her out of her case so that she could come up to L&D. Tori even placed a CSE while she was up here! Thanks for the team effort, it was greatly appreciated. - Mary Yurashevich, MD
Fist Bump for Megan Wong, MD and Daniel Mattimore, MD
Kudos to Dr. Megan Wong and Dr. Dan Mattimore for their exceptional performance during a demanding time in the CTORs! Megan managed a complex coagulopathic heart transplant, then seamlessly transitioned to a lung transplant after a full day of cases. Dan expertly managed another lung transplant undergoing massive transfusion. His ability to navigate multiple emergent conversions between forms of MCS (VA-ECMO to CPB to VV-ECMO to СРВ to W-ECMO) was critical in stabilizing the patient. Both maintained a positive attitude and provided exceptional care under pressure the entire time.
Fist Bump for Roopvir Kaur, MD
Roopvir - Thank you for stepping up to support the call team during an exceptionally busy time—even while assigned to another service. Your willingness to help without hesitation reflects the dedication and teamwork that make Duke ACTA an incredible place to work and train. We appreciate you! - Michael Cutrone, MD
Fist Bump for Brian Barron, MD
I'd like to recognize Dr. Brian Barron, who-despite being told he could head home-volunteered to stay late to ensure every resident and fellow received a much-needed break during an especially busy day in the cardiac operating rooms. His willingness to step in not only eased the load on the team managing multiple complex cases, but also ensured our trainees had a chance to decompress and recharge. He exemplifies the teamwork that makes our operating rooms run! - Katherine Sun, MD
Fist Bump for the Cardiac Anesthesiology Team
I want to give a huge shoutout to our entire cardiac perioperative team-and especially the cardiac anesthesia team-for navigating an exceptionally demanding day in the CTOR with professionalism and composure. We simultaneously managed multiple emergent cases, three transplants, two patients who unexpectedly crashed on ECMO, and two emergent reintubations, all while keeping our regularly scheduled cases on track.
Fist Bump for Mike Bullock, MD & Don Moede, CRNA
Tremendous thanks to Mike and Don who made my Arringdon surgery experience as pleasant as it could be. Great block, no pain from the propofol-and went home feeling lucid and nausea free. It's not fun to need surgery but knowing the people who are caring for you makes a huge difference. - Catherine Kuhn, MD
Fist Bump for Brandi Bottiger, MD
I want to thank Brandi for her mentorship and support. Offering her time and office to support the ACTA fellowship - truly an exemplar of education team excellence. - Michael Cutrone, MD
Fist Bump for Phil Butler, CRNA & Seth Hansen, CRNA
I wanted to write a note to express appreciation for the strong team effort from our CRNAs in the EP lab, specifically Phil Butler and Seth Hansen. There was an intraoperative complication and the procedural team was working hard to fix while Seth and Phil were helping with medical management. Their hustle and expedient treatment strongly contributed to the positive patient outcome! - Kam Ghadimi, MD