- Elizabeth Morrison

Heart Surgeon on Board

       Jerry Powell, a heart surgeon, is taking some time off with his wife and grandchildren on a cruise in Anchorage, Alaska. Powell grew up in South Carolina and always knew he wanted to be a doctor. Powell has dealt with many different injuries such as burns, fractures, wounds, and wound infections. “The worst part about being a heart surgeon is having to tell the families of the conditions the patients are in,” says Powell.
       Powell has been working as a heart surgeon for 35 years and was in the air force for 10 years. He has seen some of the bloodiest patients that have been in the air force. At the end of the day, he says it’s always fulfilling.
       Powell says without a doubt his hero would be Denton Cooley who’s a heart surgeon in Houston. He met Cooley at a San Antonio meeting and ever since then Powell has looked up to him. He says, “Denton is the greatest surgeon I have ever met.”
       Powell is planning on retiring in a couple years and says it’s a good feeling to know that you’ve helped hundreds of people through their injuries. He looks back and sees all the good he’s done and says if he could go back he wouldn’t change a thing.