SwedishAmerican Hospital issued the following announcement on Jan. 3.
Relating to his patients comes easy for Dr. Thomas Hinkamp. That’s because our newest cardiothoracic surgeon had heart surgery himself when he was in high school.
Born and raised in Wilmette, Dr. Hinkamp was diagnosed with aortic coarctation during a physical conducted at his school. He went through surgery and has had no issues since, but the experience was a large reason why he decided to pursue a career as a heart surgeon. “I think it allows me to be more empathetic to their journey because of what I went through,” Dr. Hinkamp said. “It’s been many years, but I’m able to tell people that I’ve been there when they share their story.”
Dr. Hinkamp started at our Heart Institute last month, bringing with him 27 years of experience. Board certified in cardiovascular surgery, general surgery and critical care surgery, he went to medical school at Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine and has had an esteemed career in health systems in the Chicago area.
“It’s a very rewarding profession,” Dr. Hinkamp said. “The vast majority of hearts respond to the surgical intervention and are improved immediately. Patients and families are so grateful. And they have the opportunity to put their life on a new health trajectory. For most of them, this is one of the crossroads in their life. They get a new life. And when I see patients take ownership of their own health, that’s what makes it so rewarding.”
We’re so thankful to have you here. Welcomes to the Swedes family!
Original source can be found here.
Source: SwedishAmerican Hospital
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