Asif Hasan joined the team at the Freeman Hospital in 1991 as transplant surgeon in cardiopulmonary transplantation and never left!
In episode two we follow Asif as he performs heart surgery on 13-year-old Seb who was born with a congenital heart defect. Asif performed Seb’s original operation when he was only a baby and his parents Nadine and Ivan have asked him to do the surgery this time too.
What made you get into this area of work?
Having previously trained in surgery for congenital heart disease the opportunity to practice these two apparently disparate specialities was a fortuitous and unique happenstance.
Newcastle became the largest centre for transplantation for congenital heart disease in Europe and along with the liver team the only centre to provide heart and liver transplantation in this area.
The last three decades have been a rollercoaster ride. The work has been pioneering, exhilarating but emotionally and physically draining and I am massively indebted to my wife to have provided the support to keep me going.
What would you say to someone who is interested in progressing a similar career?
My advice for aspiring heart surgeons is that the speciality is in a revolutionary phase. Developments in robotics and machine learning will transform how we practice medicine in general and my speciality would be no exception. It desperately needs young blood with renewed enthusiasm to take it forward.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Northumberland countryside and sports has remained my refuge from work. Hockey, swimming and tennis have all featured at various times. However, I am most proud to have kept the historical, a century old, medical cricket team “Victorians” from perishing.
Latterly, allotment life has renewed my horticultural interest, a legacy from my mother who was a trained horticulturist.
