Dr. Sandip Saha’s journey to the forefront of interventional pulmonology is a story of passion, perseverance, and innovation. From his formative years in a cardiac ICU to becoming a leader in a cutting-edge medical field, his story is an inspiration to aspiring physicians.
“My interest in medicine began when I was a child, as I grew up in the cardiac ICU,” Dr. Saha says. “My father has been suffering from coronary artery disease for many decades, and I remember spending summer vacations in the cardiac ICU of Toronto General Hospital. I would watch how the surgeons operated on my father, and I knew that one day I would be right there.” These early experiences cemented his desire to make a difference in the lives of patients, setting him on a path toward a remarkable career.
What Is Interventional Pulmonology?
Dr. Saha, an interventional pulmonologist and an assistant professor of medicine in the department of medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, describes interventional pulmonology as a multidisciplinary subspecialty. “It combines aspects of thoracic surgery, otolaryngology, oncology, and radiology,” he explains. “We perform minimally invasive endoscopic procedures to diagnose and treat malignant and non-malignant pulmonary diseases. These include conditions within the airway, lung parenchyma, or pleural space, using flexible or rigid scopes.”
From Residency to a New Frontier
While completing his internal medicine residency at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI, Dr. Saha stood out for his dedication to hands-on learning. “I was one of the few residents who still went into the OR with any of my admitted patients and assisted the surgeon with bowel resections,” he recalls. “I loved the ICU setting and the critical care environment, where patients required further stabilization.”
His curiosity deepened during his fellowship in pulmonary and critical care, where he became fascinated by the complexities of advanced cases. “I didn’t fully understand what interventional pulmonology was,” he explains, “but at an American Thoracic Society conference, I met a program director of one of the first interventional pulmonology programs in North America. The way she explained the field with such ease further sparked my interest.”
The Importance of Mentorship
Despite the challenges of navigating his career without a mentor in the early stages, Dr. Saha acknowledges the value of guidance. “I wish I had a true mentor from day one, but that was not the case. My path has not been the smoothest, and I’ve had to push and figure things out the hard way,” he reflects.
Now, Dr. Saha prioritizes mentoring future pulmonologists. “It’s important to guide and be a role model in how you practice medicine,” he says. “Meeting and maintaining high standards is essential. I also focus on understanding the strengths and weaknesses of those I mentor, helping them achieve their goals and become the best version of themselves.”
Recognition and Awards
Dr. Saha’s groundbreaking work in interventional pulmonology has earned him numerous accolades. He was recently honored with the prestigious Heinrich Becker Young Investigator Award for his innovative research in robotic navigational bronchoscopy and tele-cytology. This award, presented by the World Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology, highlights his contributions to advancing diagnostic accuracy and patient care.
Dr. Saha introduced a pioneering robotic technique for extracting lung samples using the ION robotic bronchoscopy system and Siemens CIOS mobile CT scanner at Kaleida Health in Buffalo, NY. This innovation has revolutionized lung cancer diagnosis by improving precision and reducing invasiveness. Dr. Saha’s work is widely acclaimed and recognized for its potential to improve patient care and outcomes and to make healthcare more accessible globally.
Skills for Success
Dr. Saha emphasizes the importance of empathy, attentiveness, and thoroughness in his field. “Being thorough in our history taking is key to determining what tests to order or perform,” he says. “Whether reviewing CT scans or observing abnormal tissue with a bronchoscope, we need to distinguish normal from abnormal. This level of precision ensures we provide adequate samples for pathologists, oncologists, and other specialists, ultimately leading to accurate diagnoses and treatment plans.”
A Gamer’s Edge in Medicine
Surprisingly, Dr. Saha credits his gaming experience with enhancing his ability to adopt and master new technologies in interventional pulmonology. “Playing video games—both PC and console—has programmed my brain to work in 3D space,” he says. “When performing navigation bronchoscopies, we rely on the patient’s CT scans to plan our cases and perform intraoperative scans to ensure our tools are on target. Staying on target, without causing harm, is how you know you ‘passed that level.’”
An Inspirational Legacy
For aspiring medical students, Dr. Saha’s story demonstrates what’s possible when passion meets purpose. His path—from a young boy watching surgeons save his father’s life to a pioneer reshaping pulmonary medicine—illustrates the transformative potential of a well-rounded medical education, like the one offered at AUC. Through dedication, innovation, and empathy, Dr. Saha continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in medicine, leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come.
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