Cases that Changed Me
Some cases stay with physicians long after the chart is closed. Others reshape how they think, practice, and care for patients.
Three alumni of the UAB Heersink School of Medicine will share the real-life experiences during Cases that Changed Me, a special webinar exploring the moments that left a lasting impact on their careers.
This webinar is part of a series presented in partnership with the Medical Alumni Association.
Featured Cases
Dr. Chaitanya Dahagam
During a late-night call shift in the Surgical ICU, a routine patient encounter became an unforgettable lesson in the importance of physician-patient communication. What began as a family member's simple question about recurring bile duct stones years after gallbladder surgery turned into a meaningful conversation that highlighted the impact of taking time to educate, listen, and connect. Dr. Dahagam reflects on a case that reinforced the value of clear communication and reminded him that some of the most lasting moments in medicine happen outside the operating room.
About Dr. Dahagam
Dr. Chaitanya Dahagam serves as Medical Director of Healthcare Solutions at Navina AI. With experience spanning general surgery, healthcare technology, and consulting, he works at the intersection of medicine and innovation to help healthcare organizations improve patient care and navigate the evolving healthcare landscape.
Dr. Raymond Reiser
When and 8-year-old boy arrived in hypoglycemic shock, the case became a powerful lesson in looking beyond initial assumptions and trusting your clinical instincts. Dr. Reiser reflects on the importance of avoiding confirmation bias, recognizing the red flags that signal something may have been missed, and having confidence in your judgement even when others may see things differently. Those lessons continue to shape his approach to patient care, including a recent case involving a child he diagnosed with osteosarcoma.
About Dr. Reiser
Dr. Raymond Reiser is a board-certified pediatrician with international experience in clinical medicine and public health research. His interests include preventative health care and youth empowerment, with a focus on providing high-quality, comprehensive and equitable care for patients from birth through age 21.
Dr. Michael Jaklitsch
As a young Thoracic Surgery attending, I experienced a major pulmonary artery bleed during an operation at a small community hospital. The steps taken for repair had been learned and practiced through my extensive training, but the experience still had a lasting effect on me. I was assisting a partner two weeks later and experienced a second pulmonary artery bleed. This patient also survived, but I considered altering my practice as a result. The steps I took to place these two events into proper context within an academic career will be the subject of this discussion.
About Dr. Jaklitsch
Dr. Michael Jacklitsch is Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School and a thoracic surgeon at Brigham and Women's Hospital, where he serves as Associate Chief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery at Mass General Brigham. His clinical and academic interests include lung cancer, minimally invasive surgery, lung cancer screening, and the care of older adults.