George (Jeff) Hicks '71M (MD), '77M (Res), '78M (Flw)

Throughout his career, George Hicks has held many important roles in thoracic surgery. He has been professor of surgery at the University of Rochester Medical Center and has served as chief of cardiothoracic surgery at the Medical Center from 1991 to 2016.

Hicks earned a bachelor of arts from Wesleyan University playing football and baseball and as an AOA student a medical degree from the University of Rochester. He completed his surgical and cardiothoracic surgical residencies at Strong Memorial Hospital during which he also served in the United States Army Reserves from 1971-1978.  He was president of the Thoracic Surgery Directors Association (TSDA) from 2009-201.) In 2012, Hicks received the TSDA Socrates Award, presented to outstanding faculty members in cardiothoracic surgery in recognition of their commitment to resident education and mentorship.

Hicks’ current research includes “use of simulation in cardiac surgery resulting in the initiation of a national acclaimed CT surgery boot camp for first year residents” and “evaluation of simulation training for cardiac surgery residents” through an Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality grant. Hicks was elected to the American Board of Thoracic surgery and serves on multiple national thoracic surgery committees, including his current position as program director at the Medical Center.

Hicks has presented on thoracic surgery topics around the nation and co-authored more than 170 peer-reviewed publications. He has performed over 12,000 cardiac procedures and remains committed to the educational environment at the Medical Center.