Take 5 with Trevor Upham MD, FACS

Dr. Trevor Upham is a cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon who leads the cardiothoracic surgery program at WakeMed Heart & Vascular. 

Q: Tell us a little about yourself. 

I grew up in the suburbs of Los Angeles and headed east for college and medical training, and now Raleigh is home to me. Outside of work, like most parents, many of my hobbies revolve around the activities of our three young children who keep us on our toes. Fun fact – my wife was born at WakeMed, so naturally, I’m a big fan!

Q: As a surgeon and administrative leader, what does your daily work look like?

Whether I’m taking care of patients or working with my colleagues behind the scenes, my job is 100 percent about building the best quality and patient experience for our patients. Most of my day is spent with patients in the operating room, in their hospital room or in one of our outpatient offices. 

If you ask me what I love most about working with WakeMed Heart & Vascular, my answer is always the same – it’s the people – period.  Our team is the best in the business, and I love what I do.

Q: Having heart surgery can be very scary for patients and their families. How do you and your team honor these fears?

Surgery is our daily work, but for patients and their families, it is a major life experience. It’s completely normal to be scared and we know that. We spend extra time listening, communicating clearly, and repeatedly walking through what to expect, as well as common detours to prepare for. The better we can paint the picture of the process and the finish line, the better patients are equipped to have the best surgical experience possible.  

Q: For surgery teams, quality and exceptional patient outcomes are always a top priority. What are some areas where you and the team have made great progress over the years?

Quality outcomes in surgery involve more than what happens in the operating room. Something I’m really proud of is our Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program. This is a personalized care pathway that considers the whole patient and their lifestyle, and it allows us to start steps toward  recovery before the surgery even happens. We are constantly looking at our outcomes, welcoming ideas and suggestions, and willing to make changes to fine-tune the whole journey. I’m also driven to bring new techniques that 
help advance our program, such as less invasive surgery with smaller incisions, when it’s the right option for the patient’s needs.

Q:  What do you love most about summer?

Believe it or not – I love the heat! Anything involving time at the coast with family and friends soothes my soul. The water, sports and ocean creatures are often involved. Naturally, my favorite summer foods are a fresh-catch sandwich or local North Carolina shellfish.

This blog is adapted from Heart to Heart Magazine. Subscribe today.