Please upgrade to a newer version of Internet Explorer or use an alternate browser such as Chrome or Firefox. Cardiothoracic surgery is one of the most competitive fields in medicine. To succeed, you will have to be Available, Affable, and Able—and in that order. Motivating cardiologists to send you cases when you are a green, newbie CT surgeon is difficult—especially when they have alternatives that they know, trust, like and with whom they have had long, successful relationships. Know that one bad interaction with a cardiologist could mean that you may never see another referral again from that doctor. You want to stay alive in your young professional life. There is no honor in going down in flames by trying to take on high risk cases in your first few months. While you will have many years to take on the tough cases you will only have one shot at a first impression. Show the cardiologists that you are thoughtful and want what is best for the patients—even if it means saying you will...