26. Gender Differences in Cardiothoracic Surgery Letters of Recommendation

Rishindra M. Reddy, M.D., M.B.A.  earned his undergraduate and medical degrees at Northwestern University, and completed his general surgery residency at Washington University-Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. His spent two years during his residency, as a Clinical Research Fellow at the National Cancer Institute. He completed his Thoracic Surgery residency at the University of Washington and was a visiting fellow at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He is the endowed Jose Jose Alvarez Professor of Thoracic Oncology Research and is the Chair of the University of Michigan Comprehensive Robotic Surgery Program. Dr. Reddy's clinical interests include all aspects of general thoracic surgery including thoracic oncology, minimally invasive techniques, and therapy for end-stage lung disease including transplantation and lung volume reduction surgery. His academic interests include improving outcomes for patients with thoracic cancers, molecular targeting for thoracic cancers, and resident/medical student education.

Dr. Valeda Yong is currently a clinical PGY-3 general surgery resident at Temple University Hospital. She completed two professional development years under the mentorship of Dr. Cherie Erkmen at Temple University Hospital and also obtained a MSEd in Professional Health Education at this time. Her research interests lie in surgical education and simulation, as well as disparities in cardiothoracic surgery. She received her MD at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and BA in Psychology at Rice University.