102. The Candidate: Nche Zama, MD, PhD

<div class="HeaderWrapper-sc-__sc-1bypfuk-3 cDFEQK" data-qa= "question-header"><span class= "TextWrapper-sc-__sc-1f8vz90-0 cqvKYc"><span id= "statement-da45ce8c-46ad-4f15-bf40-cb37e5706cc3-HwK6tdXoVMtLsTbw-title" class="TextWrapper-sc-__sc-1f8vz90-0 hZUeEQ" role="heading" data-qa="block-title deep-purple-block-title" aria-live="off" aria-level="2"><em>The CME experience for this </em><em>Podcast</em><em> is powered by CMEfy - click here to reflect and unlock credits & more: </em><a title="https://earnc.me/Zw7vxV" href= "https://earnc.me/Zw7vxV" target="_blank" rel= "noopener"><em>https://earnc.me/Zw7vxV</em></a></span></span></div> <div class="SpacerWrapper-sc-__sc-4rs8xl-0 bfQixi"> </div> <p>As a teenager, Dr. Nche Zama came to the United States on a student visa with just $20 in his pocket. He was homeless for a while until a compassionate person took him in and helped guide him on his journey to the American Dream.</p> <p>Dr. Zama was the second of six children, raised in grass huts by illiterate but hardworking parents who instilled within him the values of discipline, pragmatism, and community. When he witnessed the preventable and horrific death of his mother during childbirth due to the lack of access to a doctor and proper medical care, his life’s purpose shifted forever. His father sold his property, so young Zama could travel to America for a better education.</p> <p>Today, Nche Zama, MD, PhD, is a renowned cardiothoracic surgeon who completed training at the Cleveland Clinic and Harvard University. He holds a PhD in chemistry, a Harvard master’s degree in management, and a medical degree.</p> <p>He is recognized as one of the top cardiothoracic surgeons in the country and is often sought out for his expertise. He has held positions across Pennsylvania as Director of the ESSA Heart and Vascular Institute in East Stroudsburg, Director of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at Jefferson Aria Health in Philadelphia, Chief of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at Guthrie Clinic in Sayre, and has been a Sta