Research

July 12, 2011

Book|Report podcast

Recounting a pioneering career in heart surgery


For nearly 50 years, heart surgeon Charles Hatcher – now director emeritus of the Woodruff Health Sciences Center – has called Emory home.

Hatcher has spent the last five years writing his memoir (with help from Emory alum Joshua Malin '05C). "All in the Timing: From Operating Room to Board Room" (AuthorHouse, 2011) details how a small-town boy from South Georgia became a prominent personality within the health care world.

On his first day of work in 1962, the young doctor performed Georgia's first successful "blue baby" operation to correct a heart defect. In the years that followed, Hatcher conducted the state's first double and triple-valve heart surgeries, and became one of the first to use cadaver valves within the United States.

Within 10 years of his start at Emory, Hatcher became chief of cardiothoracic surgery at Emory. From there, he ascended the administrative ranks, eventually becoming vice president of health affairs, and taking charge of the Woodruff Health Sciences Center and The Emory Clinic. Hatcher retired in 1996, but continues to advise Emory leaders.

Listen to Charles Hatcher talk about the book.

Listen to Charles Hatcher read from"All in the Timing."

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