Episode 12: Raul Santos, MD - Interventional Cardiologist

Career Closeup

On this episode of Career Closeup, we take another dive into the world of medicine. We sat down with Dr. Raul Santos, MD. A Dallas area Interventional Cardiologist. From his early years in college and his service in the U.S Army to his residency and fellowship in Cardiology, Dr. Santos gave us a great insight into the training, practice and rewarding aspects of his incredible field. If you are thinking about medicine or are in medical school and considering a career treating disease of the heart, this is a realistic and informative close up. Show notes: 00:00 Introduction 01:00 The job of an interventional cardiologist. 02:19 What exactly is a catheterization? 04:10 Tell us about the training to become Interventional Cardiologist. 05:33 What influenced you to go into cardiology and proceeding to interventional cardiology? 07:47 What is a typical day like for an interventional cardiologist? Being “On-Call”? 10:48 How does this field affect your lifestyle, family? 12:10 What would you say are most rewarding and most challenging parts of your job? 13:18 How do you deal with the stress? 14:07 Dr. Santos’ path to success; high school, college and Army days. 17:23 Dr. Santos’ recommendations for high school students, college students that are interested in medicine and cardiology. 18:22 Are there any misconceptions about the medical field, cardiology you want to address? 19:19 Summary Related Links: US Army - Operating Room Specialist (68D) University of North Texas University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston Medical School Cedars-Sinai Internal Medicine residency Baylor Scott & White Health - Cardiovascular Disease fellowship Baylor Scott & White Health -Interventional Cardiology fellowship Link to: catheterization procedure of Heart Link to video: Leg, Peripheral vascular disease