Special Interview with Prof. Curt Tribble: HSF Journal Associate Editor
22 September 2025
Curtis Tribble professor
We had the honor of interviewing Prof. Curt Tribble, Associate Editor of The Heart Surgery Forum, on August 23, 2025. Although he has sadly left us by an accident, we believe it is important to share this conversation, both to honor his memory and to preserve the wisdom and insights he generously offered.
Prof. Tribble came from a family deeply connected to medicine. His father was a thoracic surgeon, and Curt, as the eldest of six brothers, was the first to follow that path. Both he and his father likely inspired the younger brothers who later also chose careers in surgery. Prof. Tribble graduated from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and completed his training in Surgery and Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery at the University of Virginia. Throughout his career, he devoted himself to clinical practice and research in areas such as heart transplantation, lung transplantation, and ventricular assist devices.
Beyond his clinical work, Prof. Tribble was a dedicated educator and mentor. His commitment to teaching excellence earned him numerous accolades, including being named The David A. Harrison Distinguished Educator. His dedication to the education and development of future surgeons left a lasting impact on generations of medical students and residents.
In this interview, Prof. Tribble will share insights into his academic journey and express an open yet cautious perspective on the future role of artificial intelligence in the field of medicine.
1. We learn you have been dedicated to the field of cardiovascular medicine for many years, gaining extensive academic and clinical experience. Could you share with us your academic experience or professional journey?
Briefly, I grew up in a family that, eventually, included four surgeons, all of whom were, or are, academic surgeons practicing some combination of thoracic, cardiac, or vascular surgery. I went to Vanderbilt University School of Medicine as did my father and one of my brothers. I trained in Surgery and in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at the University of Virginia and then stayed on the faculty after completing my training.
2. What kind of opportunity led you to learn about "The Heart Surgery Forum" journal and be willing to join the editorial board of this journal?
As you may know, this journal originated from a discussion group (or listserv) that was—and still is—named The Heart Surgery Forum. The founder of both this listserv and, later, the journal itself was Dr. Mark Levinson. He had the vision to launch and operate these two entities (the listserv and the journal) approximately 20 to 30 years ago. Since the journal’s inception, I have been an active supporter and participant. My work in this field has always been engaging and rewarding, which is what led me to join its editorial board.
3. I have watched one of your lectures on YouTube titled "The Way We Talk is the Way We Teach" and benefited a lot from it. When you are working as a reviewer and academic editor, do you pay special attention to the language of the manuscripts? What are the main aspects? Are there any special points to share with our readers?
Thank you for that comment (though I was not actually aware that this particular presentation was on YouTube!)
Well, I grew up in a family of teachers, ministers, nurses, and physicians, so learning to communicate—both in writing and in speaking—was simply part of our family culture. When I went to college, I actually majored in English Literature and even served as editor of my college’s literary yearbook. Of course, at some point I chose medicine over becoming an English teacher, but that early training stayed with me.
When I am working with students and residents on their writing, I encourage them to read their work aloud to be sure it sounds like their own voice and makes sense. I also suggest they share their drafts with friends, colleagues, or family members, to see whether the writing is clear and natural. I think these simple steps can help young authors find clarity in their communication, which is as important in academic writing as it is in teaching or clinical practice.
4. How do you view the application of AI technology in healthcare, especially its role in complex surgeries such as heart transplants?
I think the best answer to that question is: Time will tell. However, my hunch is that AI will play more of a role in data gathering & analysis than in ‘performing surgical operations’ at least for the foreseeable future.
5. In which aspects can we further enhance the academic influence of the journal and the reader experience?
While these are broad questions without simple answers, one meaningful approach lies in reconnecting with our foundational community. The Heart Surgery Forum originated from an active ListServe decades ago, and I believe there is significant value in strengthening those historical ties. For instance, our editorial team could proactively engage with the most dedicated members of that original community to gather their insights. I suspect many would be supportive—for example, by helping circulate the journal’s Table of Contents within their networks. Rebuilding this connection could foster valuable synergy between the journal and the very community that gave rise to it, enhancing both engagement and relevance.
This concludes our interview. We sincerely appreciate Prof. Tribble for his time and valuable insights. Given his recent passing, we are deeply saddened, but we remain grateful for the opportunity to have captured his wisdom. His contributions to the field of medicine and the inspiration he provided to the surgical community will be remembered and cherished. We are particularly grateful for his outstanding contributions to The Heart Surgery Forum, including his diligent work as an Associate Editor and his rigorous oversight of every manuscript, which significantly enhanced the journal's academic influence. Rest in peace, Prof. Curt Tribble. Your legacy will continue to inspire future generations.