All Star Payback Winner Spotlight: Dr. John Anastasi — Precision, Purpose, and Passion in Cardiothoracic Surgery

A Life Redirected Toward Medicine

For Dr. John Anastasi, the path to cardiothoracic surgery was anything but straightforward. What began as a plan to become a veterinarian shifted several times before he found his true calling in one of medicine’s most demanding specialties.

As he recalls:

“My original plan was to be a veterinarian, and I was not able to get into veterinary school. I had actually planned on being a biology school teacher. But I got a call from a college I had applied to, and they asked if I wanted to be in pre-med, which is what got me into pre-med.”

The defining moment came during his fourth year of college, through a family connection and a health scare.

“My sister was a nurse at NYU and was dating a cardiac surgeon. I was having palpitations, and she told me to come into the city because he could take a look. When I got there, he had an emergency, so she took me over to NYU and brought me into the OR. It was the first time I saw open heart surgery. I was in there for about six or seven hours. When we walked out, he looked at me and said, ‘Greatest job in the world.’ And that’s when I knew that’s what I wanted to do.”

Thriving in One of Medicine’s Most Demanding Fields

Cardiothoracic surgery demands precision, stamina, and unwavering focus. For Dr. Anastasi, what drives him is a genuine love for the work.

“I love doing it. I love the work, the procedures, and taking care of patients in that fashion. It’s immediate gratification. With cardiac surgery, you have a problem, you go in, and two hours later the problem is fixed. For me, it’s immediate gratification.”

Staying Centered Through Multitasking and Passion

Balancing the intensity of cardiothoracic surgery with a creative life beyond medicine requires discipline and passion — something Dr. Anastasi has refined over years of practice.

“People ask me how I do all that and run to different hospitals and operate. You get to a level of multitasking where you can just fit it all in. You do what’s important to you. I don’t sleep a lot. As my father used to say, ‘You’re a long time dead, so you’ll have plenty of time to sleep after you’re dead.’ I use every minute I’ve got.”

In addition to surgery, he is also an accomplished playwright and screenwriter, bringing the same energy and dedication to creative work that he brings to patient care.

Continuously Evolving in a Rapidly Changing Field

Medical advances move quickly, and Dr. Anastasi makes it a priority to stay engaged with new techniques and innovations.

“You go to the meetings and find out what new information is out there. I’ve always kept up with the newest things we’re doing. Now I have a niche in minimally invasive heart surgery at Altman, and I get a lot of the minimally invasive aortic valves and mitral valves.”

Discovering Locum Tenens and Finding Flexibility

Locum tenens wasn’t part of Dr. Anastasi’s early career. For many years in Pennsylvania, he was fully dedicated to building a large cardiothoracic and vascular program. As procedure volumes evolved with new technologies like stents and angioplasties, his schedule opened up, introducing him to the idea of locum work.

In 2016, he was approached about his first assignment. After spending two decades operating at the same hospital, the thought of practicing in unfamiliar facilities was daunting. But once he explored locum opportunities, he discovered the meaningful benefits of working with new teams, expanding his skills, and experiencing different hospital environments.

He credits trusted representatives — including C. Jay Kohlback — for supporting him through the transition and helping place him in well-matched, supportive hospitals. While not every assignment was the right fit, most were positive experiences that offered flexibility, meaningful work, and additional financial stability.

What Being a Cardiothoracic Surgeon Means

When asked to complete the sentence “Being a cardiothoracic surgeon means…,” Dr. Anastasi offered a definition rooted in purpose and impact:

“It means being able to take care of the most critically ill patients and most of the time having successful outcomes, changing their lives and their families’ lives by extending their lives and giving them a better quality of life.”

A Well-Deserved Celebration

Before wrapping up, Dr. Anastasi expressed his appreciation — and surprise — at being selected as an All Star Payback winner.

“Thank you very much for the opportunity and for the contest. I told C. Jay I never won anything in my life, so I thought that was something.”

Honoring Dr. Anastasi and All Star Payback Winners

The All Star Payback Contest was created to recognize healthcare professionals whose skill, dedication, and compassion make a profound impact on patients and communities.
Dr. John Anastasi exemplifies that mission — a surgeon whose precision saves lives, whose passion inspires others, and whose story reminds us that purpose often emerges in the most unexpected ways.

Congratulations, Dr. Anastasi. We’re honored to share your journey.