This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Y. Joseph Woo, MD, expanding CV knowledge in the area of HF, MI treatments
Woo combines teaching, research and clinical work, while still maintaining an active role with his family.
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
Y. Joseph Woo, MD, is an associate professor of surgery at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, where he also received his MD degree in 1992. Since 1993, he has worked for the university in a number of other capacities, including assistant instructor in surgery, instructor in surgery and assistant professor of surgery.
Woo currently oversees his own research laboratory located at the University of Pennsylvania, which focuses on the development of novel genetic, molecular and cellular strategies for treating MI and HF. The projects are designed theoretically on software platforms, further developed in cells and are then studied in small and large animal models. Woo has been acknowledged by Philadelphia Magazine as a “Top Doctor” in the Philadelphia region for 2009 and 2010, and was awarded the Penn Medicine Class of 2012 Teaching Award in 2009. When not involved in medicine, Woo’s family occupies most of his time and attention.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not practicing medicine?
I enjoy doing things with my family, as well as playing sports, going to restaurants and traveling.
If you hadn’t gone into heart surgery, what would you have done?
I would have been a CV research scientist. I really enjoy learning and studying the complex pattern of physiology of the CV system.
What would you consider one of your biggest successes in your specialty?
There are a few. One was starting, heading up and expanding the minimally invasive cardiac surgery program at the University of Pennsylvania. We’re now doing an extremely high volume of heart surgery. Instead of opening people through the standard sternum approach, we make tiny incisions and are able to fix and replace valves, do coronary bypass and all sorts of heart surgery. Patients, so far, have been extremely happy. Another big success has been my basic science research laboratory and being able to secure NIH funding for it. The lab looks at angiogenesis and myocardial regeneration strategies for treating HF.
|
Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Oversees his own research laboratory located at the University of Pennsylvania. Acknowledged by Philadelphia Magazine as a “Top Doctor” in the Philadelphia region for 2009 and 2010. Awarded the Penn Medicine Class of 2012 Teaching Award in 2009. Member, Vascular Medicine/Intervention section of Cardiology Today’s Editorial Board. |
What is the last book you read? Why, and what did you think of it?
I read a lot of action thriller books, the kind you read on vacation. Some of the authors I enjoy are Matthew Reilly, James Rollins and Brad Thor. I also enjoy Vince Flynn’s books a lot, which deal with CIA conspiracy. These books are just an enjoyable read.
Whom do you most admire, and what would you ask that person if you had 5 minutes with him/her?
Ronald Reagan. I would ask him what the inspirations were for all of his great ideas.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
It would be a composite of all the things my parents taught me: work very hard to obtain the best education you can, love your family, treat other people well, be thankful for everything you have and love this country. My parents emigrated from China during a time of internal and external war, a time when life was very challenging, uncertain and dangerous, and opportunity was never an option. They came to America with their effort and desire to succeed. This has had a great influence on the person I have become.
Whom do you consider your mentor?
Timothy Gardner, MD, the recent president of the American Heart Association. He is an amazing teacher and educator, who is extremely patient. He emphasized to me technical skill in the operating room, as well as the complex pathophysiology of the operations. He taught me to always be asking important questions and designing experiments and studies to answer those questions. He is also a wonderful family man who would always emphasize how important it was to focus on your family. These are not the typical things your boss would tell you. He is the kind of person who would notice if you were working too hard and say it is time for you to take a vacation. To this day, I still bounce very important career questions off of him.
What kind of diet and exercise regimen do you have?
I eat extremely healthy: low-fat, low-salt, limited caloric intake, plenty of fresh vegetables and limited starch. I don’t drink coffee or smoke. I also exercise everyday without fail. I lift weights and ride an exercise bicycle if I’m at home. If I’m at the gym, I’ll swim.
What do you think will have the biggest influence on cardiology in the next 10 years?
I think it will be the miniaturization and widespread application of HF devices. There is a rapid convergence of technology with medical devices. If you look at the technology that’s packed into an iPhone, medical technology is far behind that in terms of its electronic sophistication. If you couple electronics with sophisticated mechanical engineering, you are going to have devices that are going to be miniaturized heart pumps. For example, instead of needing to get a transplant, a patient with HF might instead have a tiny pump installed that won’t require a lot of energy. There may be a battery that can be charged via a transcutaneous conduction coil that can electronically transmit a signal to turn the pump up or down, go into power-saving mode, or all of those sorts of things that you can do via an iPhone.
|
Photo courtesy of: Y. Joseph Woo, MD |
What is your favorite travel destination?
Anywhere interesting, as long as it’s with my family. We travel all over the place. Our family just traveled to the southern end of Argentina into southern Patagonia and went hiking on a glacier. These are the kind of fun things we like to do together.
What is your favorite restaurant?
Lacroix in Philadelphia. It’s a great restaurant. The chef’s
tasting menu is an amazing experience.
– by Brian Ellis