02/03/2026
Today on National Women Physicians Day, we pause to recognize all of our outstanding female physicians – but today, we’re shining a light on three women whose work happens at the center of care itself: thoracic surgeon Christina Glenn, MD, FACS and cardiothoracic surgeons Dr. Meredith Geib, MD and Kimberly Linden, MD at the Heart Lung Vascular Institute at UT Medical.
Each of them arrived at a career in medicine by different paths, yet all were drawn to the cardiothoracic surgery by its precision, teamwork and life-changing impact. In a historically male-dominated field, they emphasize the importance of mentorship, collaboration and diverse care teams in delivering the best outcomes.
For Dr. Glenn, thoracic surgery offers challenge, creativity and the chance to build long-term relationships with patients navigating lung cancer. “I love the fast pace and the technical aspect of surgery,” she said, noting that trust is built in sitting down, listening carefully and spending time with patients and families so they feel heard. “Each patient should feel like they were truly part of the decisions about their care,” she said.
Dr. Geib describes cardiac surgery as “a dance between surgeons, assistants, anesthesiologists and perfusionists.” That collaboration, she says, is what allows patients to move from crisis to recovery. “My goal for each patient is to inform and empower them to make the best decision for themselves,” she said, adding that she often uses drawings and diagrams to turn complexity into clarity. For her, success isn’t just a technically sound operation – it’s seeing a patient’s quality of life meaningfully improve.
Dr. Linden was drawn to cardiac surgery due to its ability to help patients truly get better, even after facing daunting diagnoses. “The demands are worth it, seeing my patients thriving and living life,” she said. She speaks often about the power of teamwork across cardiac, thoracic, vascular and nursing teams and how multiple perspectives lead to better outcomes. “More heads and more eyes are better for patients,” she said, emphasizing how collaboration shapes care every day.
Together, these physicians reflect what’s possible when skill, curiosity, compassion and collaboration intersect. Their work goes beyond the operating room, improving both the quality and length of patients’ lives while helping shape the future of cardiac and thoracic surgery through education and leadership.
Today, we honor Drs. Glenn, Geib and Linden – and all women physicians. Join us with a shout out to your favorite UT Medical female physicians below. https://bit.ly/4rsoZMs
