Dr. Fady Charbel, MD, FAANS, FACS
University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System
Head of the Department of Neurosurgery
Contributions to the Industry: Dr. Charbel is world-renowned for his work with complex neurosurgical disorders including stroke, brain aneurysms, cerebral blood flow metabolism and brain tumors. We are incredibly proud to work alongside Dr. Charbel, a trusted long-time collaborator and advocate of Transonic's mission to bring precise and reliable flow measurement to operating rooms around the world.
Nominated by: Transonic
Dr. Francis P. Sutter, DO, FACS
Lankenau Medical Center
Chief of Cardiac Surgery
Contributions to the Industry: Dr. Sutter has dedicated his career as an osteopathic cardiac surgeon to advancing minimally invasive coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), helping reduce the risks associated with traditional cardiac surgery and improving patient outcomes. Dr. Sutter has performed more robotic-assisted bypass surgeries than any other surgeon in the United States, cementing his reputation as a leader and mentor in the field.
Nominated by: Transonic
Mohammed Aslam, MD
“Dr. Aslam’s mentorship has been a transformative experience for my career, shaping both my academic achievements and professional growth. His guidance has had a lasting impact, and I am confident that the skills and values I developed under his supervision will continue to guide me throughout my career.
“Dr. Aslam’s guidance has been pivotal to my success and growth, and the lessons I learned under his mentorship will continue to shape my career. I am deeply grateful for his support and the opportunities he provided, and I carry forward the skills and experiences I gained with confidence and pride.”
Nominated by: Wael Faqihi
Saeed Ashraf, MD
Morriston Hospital, College of Medicine, Swansea University, UK
Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon
“He believes in bringing young surgeons forward. Cardiac surgery training is not just training in the OR but it is a lifestyle turnover. He is a true mentor who has guided me at every step of this journey.”
Nominated by: Khuzaima Tariq
Filip De Somer, MD
University Hospital Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
Chief of Perfusion
“Since the early 1990s, Pr. De Somer told us, ‘Precise flow measurement in ECC heart-long equipment wasn't thinkable without the involvement of Transonic hardware and other Transonic applications.’ Further, Transonic became our scientific partner in the development of Stöckert - Maquet HLM, ECMO equipment (Cardiohelp), cannula and independent flow-pressure modules.
“Life wouldn't be that easy without the scientific help and vision of Filip De Somer and the partnership with Transonic.”
Nominated by: Patrick Blyau
Guillermo Diaz, MD
“Dr. Diaz is the ultimate example of vision, honest work, perseverance, and how to positively impact his employees. For me, Dr. Diaz changed my life. He gave me the opportunity to grow under his mentorship. He taught me the entire cardiovascular surgery process in an integral service approach, he taught me to be a better person, and every day he shows me the importance of trusting his subordinates, always leading by example.
“I couldn’t be prouder to nominate the best mentor life could have placed in front of me.”
Nominated by: Aaron Zaga
Richard M. Engelman, MD
Baystate Health, Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
Chief, Cardiac Surgical Research
“Dr. Engelman’s mentorship included pushing me to achieve heights that were not on my list prior. His integrity, drive, intelligence and humanity were just the beginning.
“His quest for knowledge and drive to always perfect cardiac surgery through experimentation taught me how to be a scientist, how to approach a scientific problem without prejudice and be open-minded when analyzing results.
“Thank you, Dr. Engelman.”
Nominated by: Roger Vertrees, Ph.D.
Saulat Fatimi, MD
Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
Chief of Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Department and Professor of Surgery
"Dr. Saulat Fatimi has been an incredible mentor whose influence on my career and life is immeasurable. His guidance has extended far beyond the surgical realm, leaving a lasting impact on my personal and professional development.
“From the very beginning, he took the time to teach me essential skills that have been the backbone of my academic and clinical growth. Dr. Fatimi’s mentorship wasn’t limited to technicalities; he provided invaluable advice on navigating the challenges of life and career. Whether it was guidance on balancing professional demands or sharing wisdom from his own experiences, he consistently offered thoughtful insights that helped me make informed decisions.
“He has been a steadfast source of encouragement, pushing me to aim higher and believe in my potential. His belief in me has been a driving force, and I carry the lessons he has imparted in every step of my journey. Dr. Saulat Fatimi’s mentorship has not only enriched my career but also shaped the person I strive to be every day."
Nominated by: Anonymous
Stephen Fremes, MD
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Professor of Surgery
“He helped perfect [my skills] in CABG.”
Nominated by: Saad El Gaoud
Diego Gonzalez Rivas
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Coruña University Hospital, Coruña, Spain
“Diego Gonzalez Rivas has been an extraordinary mentor to me since 2013, profoundly shaping my career and surgical journey. Under his guidance, I mastered the uniportal VATS technique, a skill that transformed my approach to thoracic surgery. He not only taught me the technical nuances but also inspired me with his innovative vision and dedication to the field.
“His mentorship has been instrumental in my development, ultimately helping me gain recognition as a well-known surgeon in the global thoracic surgery community.”
Nominated by: Firas Abu Akar
Frank Hurley
Resurrection Health Care, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Clinical Perfusionist
“Frank is responsible for my involvement as a volunteer in perfusion professional societies. When I started my position as a new perfusionist, I worked with Frank and he has always been very involved as a volunteer. I truly believe he was the reason that I have continued in my many roles as not only a volunteer but an elected volunteer to leadership positions.”
Nominated by: Gregory Mork
Nicole Michaud and Mark Meholchick
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
“Nicole was the program director, she was an outstanding instructor. She went above and beyond to graduate a competent perfusionist.
“Mark was a clinical instructor, he was an ideal instructor, he made sure to go over clinical cases with the students and highlight strengths and performance flaws. He deeply cared about his role as instructor. I do believe Nicole and Mark set a great example of teaching and for that I'm forever grateful. Thank you.”
Nominated by: Mohammed Mohammed
Shahid Sami, MD
Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon
"Dr. Shahid Sami has been more than just a mentor to me—he has been a guiding light in every facet of my journey as a cardiothoracic surgeon. His support extended far beyond the operating room, where his expertise and calm demeanor set an unparalleled standard. In the OR, he didn’t just teach surgical techniques; he instilled the values of precision, patience, and compassion that define great surgeons. Outside the OR, his influence was equally transformative.
“His mentorship wasn’t just about imparting knowledge—it was about shaping a mindset of continuous learning, humility, and dedication. I am who I am today because of his unwavering support, encouragement, and belief in my potential."
Nominated by: Anonymous
Gianluca Torregrossa
Lankenau Heart Group, Penn Wynne, Pennsylvania, USA
Cardiac Surgery, Heart and Vascular Care
“Wonderful person, fascinated by his knowledge!!”
Nominated by: Salvatore Scianna
Igor Zivkovic, MD
Dedinje Cardiovascular Institute, Belgrade, Serbia
Cardiac Surgeon
“I did a training program in endoscopic vein harvesting at Dedinje Institute in Belgrade with Dr. Igor Zivkovic. It was a wonderful experience, he was a great teacher and I have learned a lot of things from him. He was very inspiring and dedicated to his job.”
Nominated by: Reza Nayyerani