Voices of U of U Health
70 Years Later: Lasting Impact of First Open-Heart Surgery in Utah
By Craig Selzman, MD
Seventy years ago, Russell M. Nelson, MD, PhD, performed the first open-heart surgery in Utah. Anniversaries like this make you stop and look back. But they’re also an opportunity to look ahead. For me, both come with a sense of gratitude and responsibility.
A Pivotal Moment for Cardiothoracic Surgery
In the 1950s, open-heart surgery was thought to be nearly impossible. To repair the insides of a heart, you need a machine that can take over for it while you operate. Today, we use the heart-lung machine every single day. Back then, it was barely more than an idea.
During his training in Minnesota, Dr. Nelson helped build one of the earliest versions of that machine. When he came back to Utah—where he received an MD at the University of Utah in 1947—he built his own version in a garage and used it to perform Utah’s first open-heart surgery. Utah became only the third state in the country to do it.
That kind of quiet, steady, bold determination is part of the DNA of our program. It set the tone for decades of innovation at the University of Utah.
The Teacher Behind the Milestone
Dr. Nelson wasn’t just a pioneer. He was a dedicated teacher, who spent 17 years leading the cardiothoracic surgery training program at the University of Utah. Generations of surgeons learned from his technique, his calmness, and his clear sense of purpose.
Even after he stepped away from medicine to lead a worldwide church, he never lost his love of the operating room. Whenever I had the chance to chat with him, we always found our way back to surgery and the people involved.
One moment from years ago changed the way I try to lead. After a long day in the operating room, I learned that a patient needed to return to surgery. I was tired and frustrated. Just four days later, I was set to be appointed as the inaugural endowed chair that carries Dr. Nelson’s name. That night, I thought about the kind of steady, respectful, centered man he was. I told myself, “If I’m going to hold a chair named after him, I need to aim higher.”
So I changed my tone. I focused on being more supportive and patient, even though I was drained. The experience helped shape what we now call the “RMN ethos,” named for President Nelson’s initials. In challenging moments, I try to do what we now teach all our trainees: focus, get over it, and do the best you can. It’s simple, but it works.
Every member of our team, including new trainees, receives a small lapel pin. Around the university logo are three reminders of our mission—Teach, Heal, Discover—with the letters RMN at the bottom. The ethos behind those initials reflects the way Dr. Nelson lived his life and is a foundation for our training and patient care. We teach and aspire to this ethos as best we can.
Who We Are Today
Cardiothoracic surgery covers a lot of ground now. When people hear “heart surgery,” they usually think of adult cardiac procedures. While we do a lot of that, our cardiothoracic surgery division is much broader.
We have outstanding pediatric heart surgeons who care for newborns and children with congenital heart conditions. We have thoracic surgeons at Huntsman Cancer Institute who treat lung cancers and other chest diseases. And we have teams focused on advanced heart failure, transplantation, and mechanical support.
As an academic health center, our work doesn’t end in the clinic or operating room. We’re always looking for better ways to treat disease, which might come through clinical trials, device development, or research on how hearts recover after injury.
For us, innovation is more than just a trendy term. It’s our responsibility to explore new ideas and perspectives and new approaches to established ideas and methods.
Through all of this, we’re training the next generation of surgeons while watching our residents and fellows grow. They’re handling difficult cases with more confidence, finding their own rhythm, and learning how to lead. It’s one of the most rewarding parts of my job.
Carrying the Legacy Forward
People sometimes assume that the heart of our program is technology. Yes, the tools we have today are remarkable. But what drives us is much simpler: taking good care of people.
That’s why trips like the one our team takes to Honduras matter so much. It’s a country of about 11 million people that performs fewer than 200 heart surgeries a year. When we go there, we work alongside local teams, support them, teach them, and learn from them. We help build a program, not just complete a list of cases.
As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of Utah’s first open-heart surgery, here’s what I hope people remember, noting the top two are words directly from Dr. Nelson as he celebrated his 101st birthday:
- Each of us has inherent worth and dignity.
- Treat all with compassion and respect.
- Innovation is good—but better if it helps someone.
- Excellence comes from both skill and kindness.
- Training others is one of the most meaningful things we can do.
- To me, more than anything, this reflects Dr. Nelson’s example—both his spirit and our ethos.
Staying Focused on What Matters
I’m hopeful. Cardiothoracic surgery is changing quickly with new tools, new treatments, and new understanding of how the heart heals. A lot of what’s coming will help us care for patients who don’t have many options right now.
But I get the most confidence from the people around me. Our teams are thoughtful, curious, and dedicated. Our trainees are steady and eager to learn. They’re building a strong foundation for the years ahead.
Holding the chair named after Dr. Nelson is an honor. It reminds me to stay focused on what matters: caring for people, supporting my team, and helping this program stay strong long after I’m gone.
That’s the example Dr. Nelson set. And it’s the one I try to follow.
