Testimonials
2024 Recipient of Operation Heart MD Scholarship in Cardiac Surgery
“As one of the first three recipients of the scholarship in 2024, I can confidently say it has been transformative. It supported my research and allowed me to connect with surgeons across Canada, an experience I’m deeply grateful for.”
— Mahée Côté, Université de Sherbrooke, Quebec
2025 Recipient of Operation Heart MD Scholarship in Cardiac Surgery
"As a recipient of the Medical Student Summer Scholarship in Cardiac Surgery, I feel a great deal of gratitude that my journey towards becoming a cardiac surgeon is being supported in a tangible way. For medical students who have to work during the summer to make ends meet, there is a significant financial barrier to pursuing a substantial research project. Thanks to this scholarship initiative undertaken by Dr. Yanagawa, I am able to dedicate my summer towards various research projects that both contribute to my learning as well as to the wealth of research coming out of Dr. Gianluigi Bisleri’s lab. I feel incredibly lucky and I look forward to making the most of this unique opportunity."
— Michael Zarathus-Cook, MD Program, Class of 2028, University of Toronto
2025 Summer: Tokyo-Toronto Cardiac Exchange
“Thanks to Operation Heart and Dr. Yanagawa, I had the extraordinary opportunity to observe two world-renowned cardiac surgeons in Tokyo. From witnessing a Wolf-Ohtsuka Procedure up close to scrubbing in on an aortic valve replacement, the clinical exposure I gained was truly unforgettable.
What stood out most, however, was the generosity and mentorship of the surgical teams. Despite cultural and language barriers, I was welcomed with open arms and encouraged to engage deeply with the cases—one of which has inspired a future case study on atrial fibrillation in the context of bronchiectasis.
As a Black medical student, it was especially meaningful to feel a sense of belonging in an OR halfway around the world. Operation Heart is opening doors and building bridges in a field that has long been difficult to access for students like me. I left Japan not only with new knowledge, but with the belief that an international network of surgeons is invested in my journey—and that I belong in this profession.”
— Michael Zarathus-Cook, MD Program, Class of 2028, University of Toronto