“I am positive that I am a better surgeon because I am a mother and spouse and also that I am a better mother and spouse because I am a surgeon. I would encourage you to seek the life you want, because anything is possible.”
Jennifer S. Lawton, M.D., is a Professor and Chief of the Johns Hopkins Division of Cardiac Surgery, as well as Director of the Cardiac Surgery Research Laboratory. Dr. Lawton’s clinical area of focus is adult cardiac surgery. She conducts research in myocyte volume regulation and ATP-sensitive K channels. She has held leadership roles in several organizations, making an important impact in our field. Dr. Lawton’s achievements are impressive, and she has set an outstanding example for all women who have choose to follow in her footsteps.
She was nominated by Dr. Lauren Kane, who states,
“Dr. Jennifer Lawton is someone I respect greatly and who inspires me. She is a skilled cardiac surgeon and a rare “triple threat” in our field, excelling in clinical work, education and research. She leads by example and is a mentor to countless doctors and students. Her accomplishments are impressive and inspiring, yet she unpretentious and approachable. She is a professor of surgery and the current Chief of Cardiac Surgery at Johns Hopkins University. She is past president of the Women in Thoracic Surgery, past chair of the surgery study section of the American Heart Association, a director of the ABTS, and vice-chair of the ACGME residency review committee. She is well published with over 90 peer-reviewed publications and 7 book chapters. Did I mention that she is a wife and mother of two smart, active, healthy children? I want to be like Dr. Lawton when I grow up! She is a true role model and I am so lucky to have her as a friend and colleague.”