Princeton University Athletics
Harold Fernandez ’89 MD / Men’s Soccer
City, State / Workplace / Title
Huntington, New York, Northwell Health/Director heart failure surgery
Medical Specialty / Other Degrees (MBA/MPH, etc.)
Heart Surgery
What made you choose a career in healthcare?
Desire to help others and fascination with the physiology of the heart and technical aspects of fixing heart problems. I have said before, that American citizens love America, but immigrants adore America. I certainly feel this way about our beautiful country. I remind myself everyday how fortunate I was to get this opportunity to come to this country, and on top of that to attend the best university in the world. My childhood dream was always to help others through medicine because as a young boy growing up in Medellin, Colombia, I saw doctors and nurses come to my house to help my grandmothers. I dreamed of one day being able to do the same for others. This dream was made possible here in America, with the opportunity to make my dream a reality.
What is the focus of your work today?
Surgery, and promoting a Vegan diet to prevent and reverse heart disease. I spend most of my day seeing patients both in the hospital and in my office. I also spend a significant part of my day in the operating room. This is really what I enjoy the most. To me, the operating room feels like an escape into this really exciting place where I get the opportunity to lead my team into a fascinating journey to fix someone’s heart so that they can go back to their family and enjoy their life better. There is no place like this. I also enjoy the opportunity to go around speaking at schools about my books, “Undocumented: My Journey to Princeton and Harvard and Life as a Heart Surgeon,” and “A Boy and a Book: Overcoming Obstacles through the Magic of Reading.” More recently, I have become fascinated with prevention and reversal of heart disease through nutrition, and I am currently working on my third book about this subject.
How has your work changed in the face of COVID-19?
My childhood dream was always to help others through medicine because as a young boy growing up in Medellin, Colombia, I saw doctors and nurses come to my house to help my grandmothers. I dreamed of one day being able to do the same for others. This dream was made possible here in America, with the opportunity to make my dream a reality.Harold Fernandez
During COVID-19 pandemic, I stopped doing heart surgery. I became a critical care physician taking care of COVID patients. Our hospital was transformed into a combat hospital where every person in the building was working to save lives. I felt inspired on a daily basis to see the courage, dedication and compassion of everyone inside our hospital, from the nurses at the bedside to the housekeeping staff, who faced so many challenges and the danger of getting infected with the virus any day. One of the greatest challenges during the early part of the pandemic was helplessness and despair knowing that there was not much we could do for our patients as they struggled to stay alive. In heart surgery, we delight in our ability to be able to fix a broken heart most of the time. With COVID19, it was very different. We had many patients that we treated with the most advanced technology available in the world, and yet, we could not save them. This was very difficult to accept and understand. I also had many fears of bringing the virus home to my family. I was ready to accept the consequences for me, but I was terrified that I could cause harm to my wife or to my kids by bringing the virus home.
How did being a Princeton student-athlete prepare you for the challenges you’ve faced?
Learning to work as a team member, time management, working hard to the last second. Life at Princeton as a student-athlete can be very challenging, but also incredibly rewarding. Obviously, the demands of playing the games and daily practices, while taking very challenging courses was a good lesson for what I was about to experience as a surgical resident. Little lessons helped us to be more organized, disciplined, and meticulous about accomplishing goals. I was fortunate to be a small part of many moments with a great group of young athletes on the soccer fields at Princeton learning from incredibly talented players such as Jimmy Barlow and our head coach Bob Bradley, and assistant Charlie Stillitano. Because I was mostly in the “B” team, I spent a lot of time with Charlie, and his energy, positive mindset, and humor rubbed on all of us who had the fortune to play for him. One player that I will never forget was Jimmy. I still remember how difficult it was to cover Jimmy because as soon as he got the ball, he had already decided where it needed to go and he would make a perfect pass immediately. The greatest midfielder that I have ever played with. And of course, we can never forget Robbie Myslik. Even today, I can feel his spirit of working hard, giving the best every day, and his unforgettable smile. A little part of him will always live in all our hearts who had the fortune to know him on the soccer fields at Princeton University.
What keeps you inspired as you look ahead?
Using lifestyle medicine to reverse heart disease. The most common cause of death in America is heart disease. After more than thirty years studying this disease and treating patients, I am convinced that this disease can be prevented and if you have it, it can be reversed. I know this deep in my heart, and I want to share it with as many people as are willing to listen. As a result, I have made these changes in my own life adopting a whole food plant-based diet. It is not only good for your heart, but it is also good for the rest of your body, and also the planet and the animals.
Medical School / Other Affiliations
Harvard Medical School
Tiger Heroes
In partnership with RWJBarnabas Health, the official health care system of Princeton Athletics, “Tiger Heroes” honors front line workers and health care leaders from our alumni community. This digital and social series highlights alumni from all 37 varsity sports programs who have risen to the challenge since the onset of COVID-19. We also recognize special Princeton friends and family. Nominations may be sent to Jess Deutsch, Princeton's Associate Director, Student-Athlete Services: jdeutsch@princeton.edu