Johns Hopkins University
Adult Cardiac
Member Since: 2016
Biography:
Ahmet Kilic, MD is an Associate Professor of Surgery at The Johns Hopkins University and is the director of the heart transplantation and mechanical circulatory support programs. He also serves as the Program Director for the cardiothoracic surgery residency training program.
Ahmet Kilic, MD completed his undergraduate degree at the Pennsylvania State University followed by his medical degree at the Medical College of Virginia. During his residency in general surgery at the University of Maryland, he took two dedicated years in the lab studying artificial organs and cardiopulmonary failure. He finished his cardiothoracic surgical training at the University of Virginia.
Although a recognized leader in the field of heart failure, Dr. Kilic's expertise runs the spectrum of cardiovascular surgery. As a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon, he performs all aspects of cardiac surgery including placement of ventricular assist devices, heart transplantation, coronary artery bypass grafting, valvular procedures including advanced repair techniques as well as aortic surgery. He has consistently been in the top 10th percentile nationally for patient satisfaction as well as being recognized as a "Top Doctor" in Baltimore.
Dr. Kilic is an invested educator, having trained and mentored numerous medical students, surgical residents and cardiac surgery fellows. He was nominated for the national McGoon award for teaching (twice) and was the recipient of the inaugural Thomas Williams resident teaching award at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and the inaugural Golden Apple award Teaching Award in Cardiac Surgery at Hopkins. He is the recipient of the William Halsted Teaching Award from the Department of Surgery at Hopkins.
He is an active clinical investigator in the field of heart failure and has published over 200 peer-reviewed manuscripts and 20 book chapters. He is on numerous regional, national and international surgical committees and is an active member in different CT surgical professional organizations. He also serves on editorial board and review board of numerous journals and regularly lectures on the topic of heart failure.
What Does the AATS Mean to You:
AATS represents the height of academic Cardiothoracic surgery in North America and the ideals of education, research, and excellence in clinical care.
My First Experience with AATS:
My first presentation at the AATS was a surgical resident in 2006 and was an absolutely terrifying and educational experience. It was an oral presentation and my discussant was kind enough to take the edge off by letting me know of some "possible" questions he may ask. It made the entire experience an absolute pleasure and I immediately felt welcomed by our CT community.
Why I became an AATS member:
I became an AATS member because of my experiences in past meetings and what the society represents.
The most impactful presentation I have seen at an AATS meeting:
For me personally it was seeing my program director / chair give his presidential address on education (Dr. Irving Kron).
The first presentation I gave is:
My first presentation (as above) was in May 2006 meeting in Philadelphia.
The first paper I had published is:
My very first paper was off of the first presentation at AATS.
Kilic A, Li T, Nolan TDC, Nash JR, Li S, Prastein DJ, Schwartzbauer G, Moainie SL, Yankey GK, DeFilippi C, Wu Z, Griffith BP. Strain Related Regional Alterations of Calcium Handling Proteins in Myocardial Remodeling. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2006, Oct; 132(4): 900-908. PMID: 17000303.
Advice for Trainees:
Do not be fooled into thinking that you are aiming for a destination - enjoy each step of the journey and look around once in a while to see the wonderful things that you are / will accomplish."
My career in CT Surgery was inspired by:
The first time I saw heart surgery I was in awe. The fact that the monitor had no heart beat, no pulsatility on the arterial line yet everyone was relaxed talking about the technical aspects of a fascinating and precision driven operation.
A significant case/patient interaction that impacted my career is:
I have too numerous to list. There have been so many great stories of patients on the brink of death that we as a team have stabilized with mechanical circulatory support devices which have often led to recovery, LVADs or transplantation. Each one of them resonates to never give up hope and to always go the extra mile.
The biggest impact my mentor had on my career is:
Biggest impact was to treat the younger generation with awe, respect and admiration.
The topic most important to advancing the field of CT Surgery is:
Continued percutaneous / less invasive measures to reduce the insult of surgical procedures.
The most pressing issues impacting CT surgery are:
The competition for time - increasingly difficult to cram more clinical work while trying to teach and push the field forward with research.
Advice for Trainees:
Do not be fooled into thinking that you are aiming for a destination - enjoy each step of the journey and look around once in a while to see the wonderful things that you are / will accomplish.