David Sims, M.D.: Rock n roll heart surgeon
by Kathy Hagood
Brevard County, FL -
Dr. David Sims, M.D., well-known on the Space Coast as both a heart surgeon and member of the “Don’t Quit Your Day Job” rock-n-roll band, never considered any other career besides medicine when he was growing up in Riverside, N.J.
His father, now deceased, was a doctor, and his older brother followed the same track.
“It was just a given. I admired my father and his work, and it was natural that I would follow in his footsteps,” says Sims, who plays the piano, as did his father.
Sims’ father started out as a dentist, but then went on to medical school to become a doctor. The elder Sims then opened a freestanding occupational emergency medicine clinic.
“He was really ahead of his time,” Sims says.
Although Sims was bent on becoming a physician, he never planned to become a surgeon, especially a cardiac surgeon.
His interest in surgery was first piqued after he saw an operation in 1988 while attending medical school in Grenada.
“I instantly knew that that was what I was meant to do. You just know,” Sims says. “I’ve talked to other surgeons, and they say the same thing.”
Most medical students learn after viewing their first operation that surgery is not their thing, he says.
“Surgery is a lot more intense than other forms of medicine. You are basically invading another person’s body,” Sims says.
Surgery is the treatment of last resort, he points out, when all other options have failed. It can be a life or death alternative.
Cardiac surgery, which is highly complicated, is known to be among the most challenging of all surgical specialties. Sims was awe-struck the first time he observed a heart operation in 1991 during his general surgery residency.
“The heart is stopped and ice put on it. All the blood is drained from the body. Later after what needs to be done is done, the heart is started again, and in some cases the patient is sitting his bed eating dinner that evening. Pretty dramatic. I was fascinated,” he says.
Witnessing the procedure, Sims immediately knew that he wanted to become a heart surgeon, which required additional training.
Sims describes heart surgery as a thousand small steps that have to be performed perfectly or death may result.
“It’s not something everyone would want to do, but I find it compelling,” he says.
After his cardiac surgery fellowship Sims attended a medical conference in New Orleans and ran into an old colleague, Dr. Bill Sanabria, M.D.
Sanabria was five years ahead of him when Sims started his residency in Miami.
“He was greatly admired by all the residents and hospital staff,” Sims says.
Fortuitously, Sanabria was looking for a partner for his cardiac surgery practice at Wuestoff, and Sims jumped at the opportunity.
“I feel like I won the Lotto. You couldn’t find a better partner, and I love living in this area,” Sims says.
Not too long afterwards Sims met Jack Masucci, a neighbor in the Merritt Island subdivision where Sims and his family lives. Sims and Masucci, a jewelry store owner and bass player for the “Don’t Quit Your Day Job” band, soon became fast friends.
“We were both originally from Riverside, so it was the two Jersey boys,” Sims says.
Sims oftentimes jammed with Masucci, and came to know the other members of the band. The lead singer and keyboard player suggested Sims take over playing the keyboard for the band, so Sims joined the group in May 2000.
The band now plays twice a month at Grills in the Cove at Port Canaveral. Sims frequently plays at home. He wife says his piano playing “keeps him sane.”
“I would play the piano all day if I could,” Sims says.
His patients often come out to hear him play at Grills, his wife says.
“He’s not you typical surgeon. My friends are always surprised when they learn that’s what he does for a living,” Leslie Sims says.
Sims makes an effort to connect with his patients as did he father before him.
“Your patient puts his or her life in your hands, they need to feel comfortable with you,” he says.
But these days some of his former patients don’t recognize him at first. That’s because he’s 70 pounds lighter than he was in August 2006.
“After my mother passed away last year, I took a hard look at my life and decided I didn’t want to live the rest of my life being overweight,” he says.
His wife had lost 60 pounds several years before on a Weight Watchers program. Sims used a NutraSystem meal plan and exercise to lose his weight, and now maintains his weight loss and 31-inch waist with calorie control and daily exercise. He takes NutraSystem meals with him when he travels.
“I always struggled with being overweight as far back as I can remember. My first size was ‘husky,’” he says.
Although he’s lost lesser amounts and gained them back in the past, he’s determined to keep the weight off this time. He counts his calories religiously and exercises every day, fitting in gym time during the morning, midday or evening.
“If you’re one of those people who tends to gain weight, I think you have to become a little obsessed to keep it off. I’ve used a bit of obsession to succeed in other areas of my life, like my work, so why not when it comes to weight management,” he says.