Ankur Desai

Now, 25 years after they first met, Mesfin and Jim found themselves performing operations in Ethiopia together through a charity called Heart Attack Ethiopia.

The Happy Pod's Holly Gibbs has been speaking to them.

I thought I was going to die.

And I do remember speaking to Dr. Rick Holtz.

He didn't accept that.

And they were able to bring me back.

And Jim Cowton, Dr. Jim Cowton, he was able to save me for a second time.

I'm beyond thankful.

I owe them literally my life.

It's unbelievable the life I'm living.

And to be, you know, a husband, to have a wonderful two young boys, just having this career is a huge meaning.

It's because of, you know, Dr. Rick Holtz, Dr. Jim Cowton.

Jim, how does it feel hearing that, that you had that much of an impact?

Mesfin, what was it about your experience that made you want to pay it back?

I realized that shadowing a cardiac perfusionist, this is exactly what I wanted to do because I have been into that operating table and I know what it's like to be a patient.

The fear, all the flashback, I decided at that moment to be a cardiac perfusionist and be able to help others.

And how did it come about you both working together in Ethiopia?

What brought us full circle was the heart attack, Ethiopia.

They contacted me.

I did not know that Dr. Jim Kautner was coming to this mission trip, but we both was confused.