M. Sertac Cicek, M.D. (CS ’97)

Board Member

(originally published in 2016)

 

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

 

“Mayo Clinic is a dream destination for any trainee seeking an academic career. Its section of cardiovascular surgery, with its well-known and accomplished faculty, was a magnet for me.”

 

• Fellowships: Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery and Transplantation, University of Southern California — Children’s Hospital Los Angeles; Cardiovascular Surgery and Cardiopulmonary Transplantation, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Rochester, Minnesota; Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston
• Residency: Cardiovascular Surgery, GATA Gulhane School of Medicine and TYIH (Turkiye Yuksek Ihtisas Hastanesi), Ankara, Turkey
• Medical School: Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, GATA Gulhane Faculty of Medicine, Ankara
• Native of: Ankara, Turkey

What did you decide to pursue medicine?

My older brother died of fulminant hepatitis. There wasn’t much treatment available at the time. That inspired me to want to pursue medicine. My interest in cardiovascular surgery, in particular, started when I was only 6 years old and the first human heart transplant occurred.

Why did you train at Mayo Clinic?

Mayo Clinic is a dream destination for any trainee seeking an academic career. Its section of cardiovascular surgery, with its well-known and accomplished faculty, was a magnet for me.

What was your initial impression of Mayo Clinic?

My first visit was for my interview. Dr. Gordon Danielson (CS ’67) was the first consultant I interviewed with. I was very impressed with how much time he spent with a young candidate as well as with the teamwork I observed and how things were organized in advanced.

How does Mayo Clinic influence your practice?

Mayo helped me create my future career in many ways. I learned how integrative, comprehensive medicine should be practiced and how to be a team player. I learned not only how to be a good surgeon but also how a physician should behave.

As a magnet for the best trainees from all over the world, Mayo provided me with best and long-lasting friends around the globe.

What valuable lesson have you learned at Mayo Clinic?

I learned dedication to excellence, the importance of communication and multidisciplinary practice, and the core value — the needs of the patient come first.

What do you contribute to the Mayo Clinic Alumni Association?

I work to develop stronger ties and increase the awareness for international alumni.

What do you do in your spare time?

I like photography, travel and political history.