J. Nilas Young, MD
Founder & Medical Director
1989–present

“I CONTINUE TO REPRESENT HEART TO HEART TO MY COLLEAGUES AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE AN INTERNATIONAL IMPACT MEDICALLY. THE UMBRELLA UNDER WHICH WE OPERATE HAS A COMPLEX HUMANITARIAN ASPECT: WE HELP PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND WE TEACH AT THE SAME TIME. WE ARE ALSO AMBASSADORS OF OUR PROFESSION AND OF AMERICAN MEDICINE.”

When Dr. Young was a second-year surgery resident, he had a conversation with a pediatric surgeon who had been involved in international aid. This doctor had been on several trips to South America, performing operations for two weeks and then leaving. The surgeon felt the U.S. teams did a lot of good, including some work with local physicians, but ultimately, he didn’t feel he saw sustaining medical progress in the areas they visited. Almost 20 years later, when Dr. Young was preparing for Heart to Heart’s first medical mission to the Soviet Union, that conversation came back to him. His excitement about the trip – I can’t believe I am finally getting to do this! – was coupled with the resolve that, given the opportunity, he wouldn’t let the same thing happen: Heart to Heart’s visits would not be “fix and run.”

Dr. Young has led more than 40 Heart to Heart site assessment and surgical-educational missions. He has previously served both as Board Chairman and President, and continues to serve as the organization’s consummate spokesperson. As Medical Director, he personally reviews surgical outcomes and program progress for each of our partner sites.

On June 30, 2021, Dr. Young retired from his position as Professor & Chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, a post he held for 20 years. While at UC Davis, he served as Program Director of the Cardiothoracic Residency Program for over 10 years. He also served on the Board of Directors of the American Heart Association, Sacramento Chapter. 

Dr. Young has been the recipient of many research grants, including a multi-year clinical study funded by the National Institutes of Health. He has authored many articles and abstracts and has collaborated on, or contributed chapters to, many more. He served as a peer reviewer for several thoracic surgery publications over the years and has given scientific presentations at symposia throughout North America, Russia, and Peru. 

Dr. Young’s dedication and accomplishments have been honored by numerous medical and civic organizations both in the U.S. and abroad. In 2012, Dr. Young was awarded the prestigious World of Children Health Award recognizing him as “a changemaker who has dramatically improved the lives of children around the world” and for “innovating life-changing nonprofit initiatives benefiting the world’s most vulnerable children.” Additionally, he was the 2016 recipient of the American College of Surgeons/Pfizer International Volunteerism Award for his outstanding accomplishments. Founded in 1912, the ACS is the leading professional association for surgeons of all specialties. With 64 chapters in the U.S. and 39 in other countries, it is the largest organization of surgeons in the world. The ACS acknowledged Dr. Young’s deep commitment to giving back to society “by making significant contributions to surgical care through organized volunteer activities.”