I went to Mass General in an ambulance the first time and my surgery was emergent. My wonderful surgeon, Dr. Hilgenberg, took such good care of me and brought me back from the edge, so to speak.
When it became clear I needed the second OHS four years later, my cardio did not just 'assume' I would want to return to Dr. Hilgenberg and asked my preferences. There was no question in my mind but that I wished to return to Mass General if this surgery had to be and there was no surgeon I wanted more than him to do it.
My cardio knew him well and accumlated all my records, cd's of TEE and Cath etc, gave them to me to bring to my appointment. When Dr. Hilgenberg agreed to do my second surgery, I thanked him for agreeing to take care of me once again. That gracious, magnificent man turned, looked me directly in the eye and said "I wouldn't not". Yes, double negative and all that but it was music to my ears. I had such trust in his skilled hands. And, indeed, he brought me safely through once again. And barely a year later, he died. I still am pained at his loss. He was the picture of good health, trim, disciplined..... and gone so fast.
I think Dr. Akins shared an office with him and perhaps one other surgeon.
That office was beautiful with incredible view across Boston's Charles River.
