Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub shares lessons from the heart on surgery, talent and living with purpose at the launch event for his AUC Press book.
Celebrating the launch of the paperback edition of A Surgeon and a Maverick: The Life and Pioneering Work of Magdi Yacoub, AUC Press hosted a conversation between world-renowned cardiothoracic surgeon Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub and Ahmed Elghandour ’16, host of the hit YouTube series, Da7ee7. Based on an exclusive interview with AUCToday as well as insights shared during the discussion, Yacoub reflects on medicine, ethics, science and philanthropy.
How do you see the role of education in shaping not just skilled professionals, but compassionate, socially responsible individuals?
I am very optimistic because I see a lot of talent in young people. They have the right ideas, but it is absolutely essential to give them opportunities to develop and understand what the important things in life are – the real values. Education gives them a chance not only to discover their own talents — because each one has a talent — but also to talk about values, which seem to have shifted in general. People focus on making money and often miss the point: the real value of serving the community.
People focus on making money and often miss the point: the real value of serving the community.
What made you decide to publish a book?
My daughter and others wanted me to publish a book, but I initially refused to write my life story. I don’t think I’m special; I’m just performing my job. If I can do it, anybody can. I was eventually convinced because people said, “You owe it to the young generation.” A Surgeon and a Maverick was written by professional journalists, Simon Pearson and Fiona Gorman, from The Times newspaper in London. What attracted me to them was that they saw the human aspect of life.
What’s one thing people might be surprised to learn about you outside of medicine?
I enjoy farming and gardening, and particularly like growing plants, flowers, orchids and oranges. I also believe the arts are extremely important for science and medicine; research shows that people who study music or painting perform better in their work. I love listening to classical music and going to the opera.
Will AI replace doctors?
Absolutely not. AI answers questions, but humans must ask the right questions. If you ask the wrong question and get the right answer, it is a disaster. The human brain is very intricate, so you must know what you are after. Artificial intelligence can do a lot through imaging, localizing things tremendously accurately, but it is a tool and not a replacement for our brains, which are still superior.
Artificial intelligence can do a lot ... but it is a tool and not a replacement for our brains, which are still superior.
If you could send one message from the heart to young people reading your story, what would it be?
PPH: passion, persistence and humility. Find your passion and pursue it with continuity and persistence. Don’t ask everyone what to do. Be humble.