Mario Castillo-Sang, MD Assistant Professor of Surgery

I first came to Charleston in the summer of 2009 with my wife Natalie for our wedding anniversary. Very quickly we were charmed by the city, its history, the kindness of its people. I remember saying it would be a treat living here, little did we know what the future held. Fast forward to 2012 and here we are starting a life in this beautiful city.  My wife Natalie and I are very happy to start a life in Charleston. This, together with the birth of our daughter Anna Sophia, have made 2012 the most memorable year of our lives so far. 

I was born and raised in Panama so the warm weather of Charleston is familiar to me. During my general surgery training at the University of Toledo in Ohio I met my wife, who is now finishing her training in urology. After finishing my general surgery training I did my cardiothoracic surgery residency in Saint Louis at Washington University School of Medicine/Barnes-Jewish Hospital. This was a great training experience with some of the cutting edge cardiac operations and with great mentors. It was this training that afforded me the opportunity to seek a position at Medical University of South Carolina. When Natalie and I heard I was invited to interview for an appointment in cardiothoracic surgery at MUSC we were very excited for the opportunity.

As a newly appointed assistant professor within the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery I will be tasked with adding a new aspect to the care of cardiac patients and the people of Charleston and South Carolina with minimally invasive valve surgery.  These procedures will include both repair and replacements of the aortic and mitral valves. I am proud to join an incredible group of cardiothoracic surgeons known nationwide and around the world for their expertise in different areas of cardiac surgery.  I believe that the synergy of working with friends for the better care of cardiac patients can produce better outcomes.

Anna, Natalie and I want to extend our gratitude to the MUSC family for such a warm welcoming and to the people of Charleston for treating us so well our first time around.