the 40 bulletin
Dr Lars Svensson and Dr Adam Daly
SCTS Ionescu Traveling Fellowship – Early Thoughts on the Cleveland Clinic Way Adam Daly
T
he day had finally come. It was 5.30am, the sun was beginning to creep over the horizon. I couldn’t have been more excited, albeit somewhat apprehensive, to start my fellowship in the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic. This was the culmination of years of work. Early in training, I developed an interest in Aortic Surgery and attended the AATS Aortic Symposium. While there, I plucked up the courage to introduce myself to Dr Svensson and Dr Roselli, as well as many other “Giants in Aortic Surgery”. Over the
next few months, I visited eight different Aortic Fellowship programmes worldwide. Cleveland Clinic instantly became my first preference for fellowship. It left such an impression that I couldn’t shake. To me, doing cardiac surgery in Cleveland Clinic was akin to golfing with Tiger Woods or playing football with Ronaldo. Everything about the Clinic represents the top level of performance. Thankfully, Dr Svensson and Dr Roselli agreed to me coming to do an Advanced Aortic Surgery Fellowship over two years. Also thankfully, the SCTS Ionescu
Travelling Fellowship supported me to come for it. The days are long but the weeks are short, I find it hard to believe I am just over three months in. While initially daunting, I am settling in well. The residents and fellows (nearly 40 of them!) are very welcoming. Fellows are paired with a mentor who helps guide them through their learning experience and with Dr Svensson as my sponsor and Dr Roselli as my mentor, I am certainly in excellent hands. There is a friendly environment and a huge focus
