Dr. Stephen Laga, MD, Anticipates An Exciting Future For Surgical Medicine

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The medical field has been the poster child for the evolution of technology and the onward march of progress, delivering new treatments and cures for various conditions with every passing year. Diagnoses that mere decades ago were considered terminal, or at least incurable and chronic, have been rendered weak and transient before the advance of human medicine, and with the rate of technological advance showing no signs of stopping, there’s no reason to believe that trend will stop. Whether it’s new vaccines, novel treatment vectors for chronic illnesses, or new insights into how the body functions, the future of healthcare seems full of possibilities.

To Dr. Stephen Laga MD, that bright future includes potential developments in surgical medicine. As an experienced and distinguished cardiothoracic surgeon with expertise in both general and cardiovascular surgery, few medical practitioners have a better grasp of and idea of the future of the field. Dr. Laga is known for blending an individualized, patient-centered approach to medicine with evidence-based and data-driven care options, and new technologies and trends promise impactful new options for patients in need.

“The life-changing impact of our work drives me,” Dr. Laga says. “The thrill of surgical innovation, and the responsibility to continue the legacy of excellence passed down from mentors like Dr. Michael DeBakey, are a privilege to experience.”

The Chrome Future of Surgery

Surgery of all kinds has become more precise and less invasive over the years as tools and procedures have evolved to be more efficient, targeted, and effective. Dr. Stephen Laga expects that trend to continue, and considering the tenor of new technological developments, he expects future innovations to come shiny and chrome. He feels that new developments in robotics and AI present unique opportunities for assistive technology in a surgical environment, which will both aid and modify his role in the hospital.

“I see cardiothoracic surgery evolving toward more hybrid, minimally invasive, and robotic-assisted interventions,” Dr. Laga explains. “My role will be to lead by example—evaluating innovations rigorously while maintaining safety and patient-centered care, helping shape guidelines, and teaching the next generation of surgeons.”

Of particular note in his own field of cardiothoracic surgery, Dr. Laga is excited about emerging trends like the growing prominence of transcatheter interventions and expanding robotic and transcatheter valve platforms. Enhanced imaging technology and data-driven decision-making paradigms continue to evolve at a rapid clip, contributing to the advent of robot-assisted surgeries, hybrid procedures, and precision medicine. Dr. Laga is contributing to the development of his field with his own research and development.

“Exploring applications in complex valve pathology—such as hybrid coronary–atrial fibrillation surgery—and refining minimally invasive strategies are top of my agenda,” he says. “My current objectives focus on advancing minimally invasive and transcatheter procedures—especially TAVR and complex valve repairs—within Froedtert South Medical Group. I plan to accomplish this by integrating cutting-edge techniques, mentoring emerging surgeons, and fostering collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to continuously improve patient outcomes.”

The future is sure to come with plenty of challenges, both institutional and technological. For each new exciting trend and technology, Dr. Laga anticipates challenges balancing their adoption with patient safety and ensuring equitable patient access. Institutional inertia is also a likely concern, as change invites risk even in the face of great potential gain. He plans to mitigate these concerns with rigorous evaluation, clear communication with stakeholders, and by seeking out grants and other institutional support.

Dr. Laga says, “I treat every challenge like a case to be studied. Whether it’s surgical complications, administrative hurdles, or leadership conflicts, I analyze them to identify areas for improvement. Challenges are diagnostic—they reveal where systems, skills, or support need refinement.”

Keeping Resilient and Adaptable

In the wake of these trends and technologies, it’s important for professionals to keep up-to-date and adaptable if they’re going to remain successful. For a medical professional, continuous education and learning are mandatory if they’re to continue giving patients the best possible care. In a hospital environment, where conditions can change dramatically from minute to minute, such professionals need to also be able to push through hardship and put the patient first.

Dr. Stephen Laga strives to keep his skills sharp, knowledge up-to-date, and maintain a resilient mindset. He continuously studies and integrates evidence-based innovations, stays connected with research, and consults colleagues across relevant fields to keep abreast of new developments. More interpersonally, he tutors and mentors young surgeons to pass on his patient-centered practices and advocacy to the next generation. As for keeping his cool in challenging situations and enduring transitional uncertainty, it’s all about keeping the right mindset.

“Resilience comes from understanding that failure is not the end—it’s a necessary part of a demanding profession like cardiothoracic surgery,” Dr. Laga explains. “My training, both in the operating room and through military service, taught me to remain calm, assess the situation clearly, and act decisively even under immense pressure.”

Career Impact And Legacy

While his decades-long career as a surgeon and medical provider is far from over, Dr. Stephen Laga is keenly aware of the impact of his work and the legacy he hopes to leave behind, both with his patients and his peers. As technology continues to change the shape of medicine as a whole and surgery in specific, he thinks it’s important to ground his work in his responsibility toward his patients and the impact his work has on them. His work changes lives for the better, and that legacy is something he hopes will be an example to future surgeons in his field.

“I aspire to be remembered as a surgeon who combined technical excellence with patient-centered compassion—someone who brought innovative practices into routine care and inspired future surgeons to uphold the highest standards,” Dr. Laga says. “I always return to the reason I pursued a career in medicine—to help others and solve complex problems. My focus is sharpened by knowing every action I take can profoundly impact someone’s life.”

Dr. Stephen Laga’s vision for the future of his field is a hopeful and forward-thinking one, and he’s planning on bringing it into the present the best way he knows how: patient-centered care and data-driven decision-making that focuses on evidence-based treatments and patient safety. Dr. Laga sets clear procedural benchmarks for progress toward that vision—for example, successful hybrid surgeries—and ties them to outcomes, training milestones, and peer-reviewed data. Those benchmarks and data points are then regularly reviewed with his surgical team and institutional leaders to ensure that the hospital is on track for success, and his own vision for the future is in reach.

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Photo provided by the author.

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