On November 2, 2021, the Swedish Thoracic Surgery team of Dr. Eric Vallieres, Dr. Brian Louie, Dr. Adam Bograd, Dr. Jed Gordon and research fellow, Dr. Megan Ivy, gathered with Bergman Oslund Udo Little partners, Matt Bergman, Chandler Udo and Vanessa Oslund.
The event was a great way to connect and learn more about the Swedish team’s research efforts and the collective effort of Swedish and BOUL to support and treat victims of mesothelioma. For the past six years, BOUL has supported the Swedish Medical Center Foundation which has allowed the Swedish Thoracic Surgery team to train multiple research fellows. BOUL has been honored to support the Swedish team to ensure their clients receive the best possible treatment for their asbestos disease.
Bergman Oslund Udo Little Research Fellowship.
After more than 25 years representing families affected by mesothelioma, Bergman Oslund Udo Little is ensuring that their clients, and other patients like them, can get the best treatment possible by supporting the
Swedish Thoracic Surgery program. Patients with mesothelioma, a cancer that attacks the lining of the lungs and other organs, can endure a daunting combination of radiation, surgery and chemotherapy. But thanks to
research, more people are living longer with the disease. Founding partner, Matt Bergman, remembers one client who devoted the six and a half years he lived after his surgery to advocating for other mesothelioma patients
before Congress. “He was an incredibly articulate and forceful advocate,” says Matt, “who wanted to use his limited time to make a difference for other mesothelioma victims.”
Eric Vallieries, MD, and his team of surgeons at Swedish Thoracic surgery, provide high level care to mesothelioma victims both in their technical implementation of medicine and through personal care and compassion. Most
fellows who join the research program are finishing up general surgical training aiming to move on to thoracic surgery training. Their year-long stint at Swedish provides dedicated time for research. “They get a chance
to spend time delving into thoracic surgery and diseases of the esophagus and chest without any other clinical duties,” says Brian Louie, M.D., the director of thoracic research. And while preparing for the next steps in
their career, fellows are also driving new developments in the field. “Research advances practice. It may change the way we do things or provide information about clinical problems that other surgeons encounter,” says
Dr. Louie.
After each physician completes their training, they take all they’ve learned as Bergman Oslund Udo Little research fellows wherever they settle. “Our hope is that the physicians we’re training will be the leaders in
thoracic surgery around the country,” says Dr. Louie. “We’re grateful for the firm’s support.” For Bergman Oslund Udo Little, our support of the Swedish Thoracic Surgery program is another way we can continue to take
care of our clients. Matt Bergman is proud of this partnership. “I think this is an example where physicians and lawyers can work together very effectively in the service of people who need help.”
Swedish thoracic surgery
