The lush decor of the banquet hall complemented a three-member classical band playing live music Monday evening. The ambience was set as though to host a party for kings and queens.
And of the guests who slowly arrived inside the room, a seemingly 15th century setting for a ball, most were considered royalty ““ at least within the sphere of cardiac medicine.
On Monday, UCLA faculty and community members, many of whom are world-renowned doctors, attended a reception to honor Dr. Hillel Laks, the recipient of the Chancellor’s Professor award.
The Chancellor’s Professor award is given to “scholars of international distinction who are recognized and respected as teachers of exceptional ability,” according to the standards set by the University of California.
It is reserved and awarded to only a few outstanding faculty members.
Laks, the recipient of the award, is a professor of cardiothoracic surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Additionally, Laks founded the heart and lung transplant program at UCLA and has served as one of the leading surgeons for treating patients with congenital heart disease as well as treating most other pediatric cardiac cases.
“I am privileged to be among such excellence. … (I) hope to continue to work with others to inspire and stimulate the aspiring physicians of younger generations,” Laks said.
Cardiothoracic surgeons specialize in heart and lung disease and their surgical repair.
The lavish, classical surrounding was befitting for the occasion ““ Laks, to many of his colleagues, is known as a Renaissance man.
Laks began his UCLA career in 1981 as a professor and chief of cardiothoracic surgery.
Dr. Michael Sopher, a professor in the anesthesia department, said the medical residents he has worked with have all reported that, when working with Laks, they feel as though they cannot be vocal about all the hard work they do.
“Residents say they can’t complain about working hard, because their boss works harder than they do,” said Sopher, who has known and worked with Laks for 20 years.
Sopher added that he believes Laks is truly a Renaissance man when it comes to cardiac surgery.
“He’s spent his career perfecting techniques in all fields of cardiac surgery. … It is fairly unusual to have that kind of breadth. Most cardiac surgeons tend to specialize in, for example, pediatrics or transplant or adults, but he’s pretty much made a name for himself in all the fields,” Sopher said.
“I’ve never seen him slow down; he’s very driven,” he added
Dr. Gerald Levey, vice chancellor of medical sciences and dean of the School of Medicine, delivered an impromptu speech Monday night.
“(Laks is) at the cutting edge, he is appreciative of science and what that brings to medicine. … I’m sure he will continue to make marvelous contributions to health care and to UCLA,” Levey said.
“There was a Jewish theologian who said, “˜To save one life is to save the world,’ and if that’s true ““ and I believe it’s true ““ then (Laks has) saved the world over and over again,” he added.
To date, Laks has treated hundreds of patients with a wide array of cardiovascular problems. He is best known among his colleagues for taking on challenging and complex cases, and has traveled to offer his services and skills to patients in countries including Russia, Peru, Thailand and Saudi Arabia.
“During his 24 years as chief (of cardiothoracic surgery), he brought great recognition and distinction to the school and to our medical center. He has recruited distinguished faculty and trained a generation of surgeons who have advanced academic surgery and clinical practice in cardiac surgery,” said Dr. Ronald Busuttil, professor and executive chairman of the department of surgery.
“He built the largest and most successful heart and lung transplant programs in the world and is truly recognized as a master of congenital pediatric heart surgery,” he added.
Currently, UCLA’s heart and lung transplant program completes a yearly average of 60-65 lung and 80-90 heart transplants, and the program has been nationally recognized as a top-ranking transplant center.
Even as colleagues extolled his virtues, Laks remained humble throughout the ceremony. The doctor teared up when his daughter, Ellie Laks-Callahan, took the spotlight to highlight her gratitude and continued inspiration from her father.
“They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Well, I hope that is true in my case, and I hope I can bless the world like (Laks has) … I’m really proud to be (his) daughter,” Laks-Callahan added.
There to present the award, Acting Chancellor Norman Abrams reserved several minutes to share his personal experience as a patient under the care of Laks years ago.
Abrams recalled learning of Laks’ devotion and passion when he was scheduled for a check up with Laks one morning.
“He was wearing his surgical gown and it was very clear that he had been operating all night, and yet, he was still seeing patients at 9 o’clock coming from the (operating room). In that one instant, I learned of his total devotion to his work and to his patients,” Abrams said.
But not all of the doctor’s time is spent in the operating room.
Dr. Mark Plunkett, professor of cardiothoracic surgery and a friend of Laks’ for 10 years, said they are both avid readers ““ outside the sphere of medical books.
“We both enjoy reading history books because it is fascinating to learn how it relates to modern life and society,” Plunkett said.
“(Laks) will be known as a brilliant surgeon, an innovator, teacher and one of the more creative mind-sets that has practiced cardiac surgery,” Plunkett added.
When it came time for the lauded figure to assume the podium, he made sure to mention all the contributors to his success.
“UCLA has an excellent mission, and it is filled with great people. … As John F. Kennedy once said, “˜Happiness is the full use of your powers along the lines of excellence,’ so it is no coincidence that I’m happiest when I’m surrounded by such excellence,” Laks said.
Nearing the conclusion of the night’s events, distinguished attendees continued to approach the doctor to offer their congratulatory remarks, but he maintained his humble composure.
In the same lavish room, the live three-man band continued their lone playing in the background, the hors d’oeuvres had slowly disappeared and the crowd on the 17th floor of the building overlooking Westwood Village had slowly dissipated to their respective destinations.
And all that was left at the end of the night was a memory of honoring a great surgeon who, to the excitement of most, has yet to consider the prospect of slowing himself down.