Diversity News

New "Deep Cuts" Episode: No Blood? No Problem: Heart Surgery for Jehovah’s Witnesses

Learn more about individualized, comprehensive surgical care provided to those who chose to not or cannot receive blood products.

In today’s episode, Dr. Valluvan Jeevanandam, Deanna Bassette, Maureen Wilson, and Dr. Chase Corvin discuss the Bloodless Heart Surgery Program at the University of Chicago Medicine. We hear about the individualized, comprehensive cardiac surgical care they provide to Jehovah’s Witnesses and other patients who cannot or choose not to receive blood products. The Bloodless Heart Surgery team also shares what they’ve learned about caring for Jehovah’s Witnesses, combining respect for people’s religious beliefs with surgical expertise. Dr. Valluvan Jeevanandam specializes in the surgical management of heart failure and is an expert in high-risk cardiac surgery. He has received national attention for his skill in performing bloodless cardiac surgery, which requires the use of precise surgical techniques to minimize blood loss during the procedure — sparing the need for a blood transfusion. Deanna Bassette is the Bloodless Advanced Practice Nurse Coordinator for the University of Chicago Medical Center. Deanna started as a registered nurse on the Cardiothoracic Surgical Floor in 2016 and transitioned to her role as Bloodless APN Coordinator in 2021. In this role, she serves a provider whose patient population consists of patients who are unable to take blood transfusions, even in life-or-death situations. Maureen Wilson has over 25 years in healthcare, starting off as a paramedic then nursing.  Her nursing experience includes working as an RN in multiple level one trauma centers as well as case management and currently as a Bloodless Coordinator at the university of Chicago hospital. Dr. Chase Corvin is the chief resident of General Surgery at the University of Chicago. Next year, he will begin his training in heart and lung surgery. In addition to his medical training, Dr. Corvin has degrees in economics and business administration. “Deep Cuts: Exploring Equity in Surgery” comes to you from the Department of Surgery at UChicago Medicine. Our host is Dr. Anthony Douglas. Our senior producer is Tony Liu. Our producers and editors include Alia Abiad, Caroline Montag, Nihar Rama, and Chuka Onuh. Our podcast cover art comes to you from Pombie Silverman, episode art from Sam Higgins, and music from Sen Morimoto off of Sooper Records. A special thanks this week to our guests, Dr. Valluvan Jeevanandam, Deanna Bassette, Maureen Wilson, and Dr. Chase Corvin. To send us questions or comments or find out more about our work, visit our website, deepcuts.surgery.uchicago.edu. You can also follow us on Instagram and X at @deepcutssurgery. To learn more about the Bloodless Heart Surgery Program at the University of Chicago Medicine, visit their website here.

What are the conversations happening in and outside of the operating room, between surgeons, that matter to patients? Our Surgery residents have seen how attitudes and biases towards marginalized people lead to poor health outcomes. Bringing these conversations between surgeons outside the operating room, Deep Cuts is the newest podcast from The University of Chicago Department of Surgery exploring why diversity, equity, and inclusion matter in surgery, and how these topics impact the patients and community served on the South Side of Chicago. You can check out the podcast here!