The field of medicine is constantly evolving, as can be expected of any scientific field in the modern age. This constant growth and evolution is especially important in medicine because people’s lives can and do hang in the balance. Without the onward march of science and the development of new medicinal procedures, practices, and medications, humanity would still be trying to treat hangovers and migraines with leeches. Being a competent doctor, let alone an excellent one, demands a commitment to lifelong learning, continuous education, and a paradigm of growth and adaptability.
For Dr. Stephen Laga, MD, an accomplished cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon with over 40 years of experience, this growth mindset has been crucial to success. Trained by some of the 20th century’s greatest surgeons, including Michael DeBakey, and board-certified by both the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, Dr. Laga has consistently demonstrated the value of approaching his life and career as an eternal student. With a distinguished career of excellent patient care and over 6,000 successful open heart surgeries, the results speak for themselves.
To deliver the best possible care for his patients, Dr. Laga maintains a strict philosophy of professional growth and adaptability, built on a scaffolding of intentionally structured habits and scheduling. By ensuring that his personal systems are optimally constructed, he’s able to integrate new knowledge and adapt to changes in his field without issue. That mindset and those structures pass on their benefits to his patients, who can trust that they’re receiving the best care available to them.
Building and Maintaining Good Foundations
Much like skyscrapers, the best careers are built on solid foundations. Dr. Stephen Laga has put in the work to make sure his foundations are robust enough to handle the evolving nature of science and the rigorous demands of his chosen field. His typical workday exemplifies this; the nature of his job is demanding and thus his days are highly structured.
He starts early to review patient cases and prepare for scheduled surgeries, of which there are usually a number of complex procedures, including heart bypasses and aortic aneurysm treatments. Between surgeries, he conducts consultations, collaborates with his medical team, and uses what time is left to stay updated on the newest peer-reviewed research. To keep the barrage of tasks and responsibilities straight, Dr. Laga uses several tools and strategies. He says, “To maintain productivity, I prioritize tasks, delegate when appropriate, and ensure I'm always prepared for each procedure.”
Fostering the Growth Mindset
For doctors, keeping up to date on the literature is paramount. Patients deserve the best possible care, and thus staying informed on new trends, techniques, and emerging technologies is crucial. To maintain a robust and current knowledge base, Dr. Stephen Laga regularly attends medical conferences, participates in professional societies like the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and engages in continuous medical education. By collaborating with his peers and reading peer-reviewed research regularly, he’s able to stay on the bleeding edge of new developments.
Sometimes, however, skills have to be pursued and self-taught to be acquired. Knowing when he lacked important knowledge and then searching it out and learning it has been one of Dr. Laga’s secrets to success. He taught himself advanced statistical analysis for his medical research after he realized how important it was for interpreting clinical trial data and improving patient outcomes. Through online courses, textbooks, and practical application in projects, he was able to independently grow and enhance his ability to contribute to evidence-based medicine.
The habits built upon his structured daily life and his commitment to lifelong learning make often-daunting career steps easier for Dr. Laga. Any new project, be it a complex surgical case or a new research initiative, can be reduced to a series of methodical steps: gather the relevant information, consult with experts, develop a plan, and execute. Dr. Laga says, “I believe in thorough preparation and always considering the patient's best interests. This approach, inspired by my mentor, Dr. Michael DeBakey, has served me well throughout my career.”
Building a Career of Success
With a growth mindset and a solid foundation beneath him, it’s not surprising that Dr. Stephen Laga has had such a successful career. He credits his success to his unwavering commitment to patient care, his constant drive for improvement, his attention to detail, and his ability to remain calm under pressure. It’s hard to argue with him with over 6,000 successful open heart surgeries, thousands more patients treated in other ways, and affiliation with some renowned hospitals across the United States under his belt.
That’s not to say that his practice hasn’t had its fair share of tense moments and struggles. Part of growth is overcoming adversity and challenging situations, and Dr. Laga has done that time and time again. One instance early in his career stands out to him when asked as one of the most significant moments and challenges in his career. A patient required an aortic dissection surgery, a complex operation that repairs a tear in the major blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the body, and it would be Dr. Stephen Laga’s first. The complexity and stakes of the procedure were daunting; failure meant death for the patient.
However, through thorough preparation, cooperation with more skilled colleagues, and staying calm under pressure, Dr. Laga was able to complete the procedure. He not only saved the patient’s life but also achieved the level of confidence he needed to continue specializing in the difficult field of cardiothoracic surgery and medicine.
Tempering Growth With Rest
As a doctor, Stephen Laga knows how important it is to balance his work with times of rest and recovery. While he works hard and studies harder to excel in his career, he also prioritizes time away from the hospital to relax with his wife and three children. Following his example, his family demonstrates the same growth mindset as he does, and each of them brings their own acclaim. His two daughters are an attorney for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and a graphic artist for PayPal, respectively, while his son is a civil engineer with the city of Chicago. Dr. Laga is as proud of them as any father could be and views his family as his greatest success.
