Humanity and humility in children’s heart surgery | José I. G. Fragata | TEDxMarvila

"What's the difference between a cardiac surgeon and God?" Professor José Fragata opens with the punchline: "God does not think he is a cardiac surgeon." It's the first laugh in a talk built on forty years and nearly 4,000 operations on hearts no bigger than a walnut. But the real turning point is personal — early in his career, he and his wife learned their own daughter needed heart surgery. She's in the audience today, alive and well. From that moment on, he says, he understood the twin values that define his work: humanity and humility, "two faces of the same coin." Watch to hear the moment he shows a blue newborn his own pink fingernails for the first time — and why he believes you can cure a patient with technology, but it takes a human heart to heal one. Professor José Fragata is a distinguished academic cardiothoracic surgeon, former head of department, and full professor of surgery, now retired. His career spans more than 45 years, during which he performed thousands of cardiac procedures, including numerous heart and lung transplantations in both adults and children. He has an extensive and diverse body of published work and has held leading roles in several prominent international professional societies. Professor Fragata can be characterized by three defining qualities: perseverance, empathy, and professionalism. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx