Today we spoke with Tyler Lacklander.

She's a fourth-year medical student at Saint Louis University School of Medicine with a focused interest in cardiothoracic surgery and academic medicine. She'll be starting her residency training at Indiana University I6 cardiothoracic surgery. Tyler's academic work centers on advancing surgical outcomes research, addressing disparities in access to care, and expanding early exposure to cardiothoracic surgery for students from underrepresented backgrounds.

She serves as the founder of Standing on the Shoulders of Giants and lead multiple student-driven research initiatives in cardiothoracic surgery, including large-scale retrospective analyses and national collaborative projects. Tyler's academic interests include surgical outcomes, social determinants of health, and innovation in cardiac surgery. 

Learn more about her journey in the conversation!