Media

Blog

If you want to learn about yourself run a marathon. If you want to learn about life run more than one... … Read More 

Dr. Hassan Tetteh is a board-certified surgeon specializing in thoracic surgery, critical care, heart and lung transplantation, research and education. In this episode of ‘Shefik Presents Invocation’, Dr. Tetteh shares his experience running a marathon. … Read More 

Every generation in modern history has utilized the advancement of technology to improve and expand patient access to healthcare. Advanced technology released emergency care from the restraints of ground travel and afforded physicians, surgeons and medical practitioners access to the swiftness of sky travel. … Read More 

Transcript of Commencement Address to 2016 Graduates of the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health, Health Science Academy. … Read More 

According to the American Heart Association and the Centers for Disease Control, heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States and accounts for over 375,000 lives lost per year. For women in minority populations the risk of death from heart disease is even higher. Every year, heart disease causes more deaths in the United States than accidents, homicide, diabetes, and all forms of cancer combined, and the cost of cardiovascular disease and stroke exceeds $310 billion annually. … Read More 

Seven years ago, a new life began for me. I reflected on the gift of Dr. King’s life and how I had come full circle in my new office, of the Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, at National Naval Medical Center, (now Walter Reed National Military Medical Center). Over a decade earlier, after medical school, I arrived at National Naval Medical Center as a new recruit, and took the oath that would commit me to a life of service in the U.S. Navy. On the day after Dr. King’s memorial I returned to where it all had started for me, and thought how all the events I experienced brought me to this place. … Read More 

In this exciting and highly engaging interview, Dr. Tetteh shares how he helps individuals and organizations solve problems by leveraging his experience in the areas of clinical care, policy, and management to provide strategic solutions. … Read More 

The month of February is “Heart Health Month,” and the time provides an opportunity to raise awareness for both men and women about health, wellness, and prevention. Indeed, health is a topic that is dear to my own heart and raising awareness about heart disease and promoting heart health is one of my special missions. … Read More 

Life is full of twists and turns. Every experience you have is a lesson on the never-ending journey of personal discovery. Living each day heartfelt and engaged is the best way to ensure the purpose of each experience and lesson is discovered. Such discovery is often elusive and lessons from disappointment are not immediately obvious, especially in our impatient modern society. … Read More 

November is American Diabetes Awareness Month. Diabetes is a life altering disease that impacts millions of Americans each day. According to the National Diabetes Association, nearly 30 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes. … Read More 

Recently, I had the opportunity to share my answer to this question with the entering College of Medicine class of 2018 at the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center’s 20th Annual White Coat Ceremony. The event was a special occasion and culmination of the orientation program for the new medical students that received a symbolic white coat and affirmed their commitment to the profession by taking The Hippocratic Oath. … Read More 

The month of June is "Men’s Health Month," and the time provides an opportunity to raise awareness for both men and women about health, wellness, and prevention. Indeed, health is a topic that is dear to my own heart and raising awareness about heart disease and promoting heart health is one of my special missions. … Read More 

This week the world mourned the loss of one if it’s most powerful voices, Dr. Maya Angelou. Dignitaries from around the world poured their love and appreciation for Dr. Angelou’s work. Those that were touched by her presence reflected on her impact and example and I paused to think of what her life meant to me. … Read More 

Everyone has a cross or challenge they will have to face in life. Generally, you will figure most situations out, and will find a fast solution or delay a decision until a clear answer emerges. … Read More 

The very idea of embracing a "cross" or challenge may seem ludicrous, however doing so has invaluable benefits to one’s personal character development. When you adopt a positive perspective of the purpose crosses and challenges have in your life you will yield invaluable benefits. … Read More 

The greatest challenge to living a heartfelt life is awareness. A critical step to finding your talent is to believe you have the talents and skills to serve. In life, you must know or find out what skills and talents you possess. That knowledge comes easy for some, almost like osmosis, but for others more is needed to discover their purpose within. … Read More 

Last month in our weekly blog posts we focused on Pillar I: Know That You’re Blessed. We explored the value of introspective inventory in our lives. Living by Pillar I is just the first step to living a heartfelt engaged life. The next step in heartfelt living concerns self-confidence and service to others … Read More 

Dr. Tetteh catches up with Melissa Revel, founder of Operation Military Shower. … Read More 

As we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King this week, I‘m reminded how blessed we are to live in this nation. Few countries in modern history have exemplified the great change we have all experienced over the last 50 years. In the 46 years since Dr. King’s assassination this nation has confronted racial inequality like none other. … Read More 

Melissa Revel is founder of Operation Military Shower and embodies The Seven Pillars of Life that I consider to be the recipe for true heartfelt existence. Through Melissa’s commitment to serving the families of our service men and women, she radiates the very first step to living from the heart. Pillar I: Know that you are blessed. … Read More 

I spent the final hours of 2013 and early hours of 2014 with a team of dedicated individuals helping a desperately ill patient have a new lease on life with a heart transplant. The generous gift of life was made possible because of another family’s loss. Especially on this occasion, that marked the end of one year and a new beginning of another, the experience of new life filled me with awe and gratitude. … Read More 

During this holiday season, it is important for us all to realize how blessed we are. Many of us will purchase gifts for friends, family and co-workers. Holiday parties are in swing all around the nation and the New Year will have come and gone before we know it. A disposition of constant gratitude is vital to honoring the blessings we have all been given in this country. … Read More 

In life, the power and importance of relationships should not be underestimated. I have been fortunate to cross paths with heartfelt, caring individuals from various backgrounds. As a witness to the power of heartfelt living in the lives of others, I am committed to connect with people who are living from the heart. … Read More 

My novel, Gifts of the Heart, was inspired by my time serving as a Naval combat surgeon with the Marines in Afghanistan. Learn more about the life experience that compelled me to write this novel. … Read More 

Sound familiar? This is a list of the negative statements seemingly on repeat in the minds of Americans every day. In Daring Greatly, Dr Brene Brown sends a clarion call for Americans to understand the impact of shame and negative thinking in their lives. One of the central points in Daring Greatly is centered on our society’s perpetual state of scarcity. … Read More 

Have you ever wondered just what it is you’re made of? How much can you take? What is the difference between you and say Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, Warren Buffet or President Obama? The truth is, absolutely nothing! Each and every human being possesses within him/herself the ability to accomplish greatness and exceed the expectations of their generation. … Read More 

The greatest theme in Gifts of The Heart speaks to the most urgent question every human being must ask themselves. What are you doing to help others? Every day millions of people answer this question with noble acts and deeds, sadly most go un-recognized. But while acts of kindness and service seldom receive public recognition, the private rewards they yield are endless. … Read More 

This year I attended TEDMED2013, the 3 ½ day program was one of my greatest professional experiences to date. It was especially rewarding because I was a TEDMED Front Line Scholar and helped with the program. Convening annually, TEDMED assembles innovators and leaders from around the world who share a common goal, creating a better future in health and medicine. … Read More 

One of the tensest moments in my new book, “Gifts of The Heart”, comes after Dr. Afram heroically saves the life of an infant who sustained heart injury from a gunshot wound. Traveling in a terrible wind storm back to FOB MK, Dr. Afram’s helicopter crashes. Later found in the desert, Dr. Afram endures a COMA for 99 days. The injuries brave men and women endure overseas are devastating and life altering. … Read More 

Wouldn’t it be nice if life always turned out just the way we planned? If every goal we set was achieved, if the path we lived out each day was predictable and able to be clearly defined? We would know what is coming, how it is coming and just how it would look upon arrival. Unfortunately, life isn’t and will never be that easy. One of the greatest components of the human experience is uncertainty. Those of us who confine ourselves to safely defined comfort zones, run the risk of missing out on the many gifts life has to offer. … Read More 

After a tragic loss in “Gifts of The Heart ”, Dr. Afram makes a commitment to use his life to save lives. Too often we miss the opportunity to live up to our greatest purpose, because we selfishly allow adversity to define us. Instead of breaking down, giving up and missing out on life, Dr. Afram draws inspiration from the tragedy and commits to healing himself by healing others. What kind of world would we live in today if we all had the courage to heal ourselves by healing and helping others? … Read More 

My new book, “Gifts of The Heart” is a powerful story full of adventure and inspiration. As a military physician and heart surgeon called to serve in the desert of Afghanistan, Kareem Afram is forced to face challenges, destruction, illness and death head on. Despite all the pain he endures, Afram rises to a greater more meaningful understanding of life and his purpose for living. The many life lessons Afram learns while on his journey, can provide a blueprint for the conflicts we face daily. … Read More