Class of 2015
Alexander J. Blood, MD
Dr. Alexander J. “AJ” Blood is a cardiologist and intensivist in the Cardiac Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Brigham and Women's Hospital, where he serves as the associate director of the Accelerator for Clinical Transformation research group. In this role, he provides care and conducts research on optimizing healthcare delivery for both patients and providers. Dr. Blood also serves as the director of the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. Board-certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, critical care medicine, and obesity medicine, Dr. Blood is an instructor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is also the CEO of AIwithCare, a startup company that delivers AI-enabled solutions for research, clinical operations, and patient care.
Dr. Blood has published 19 research articles in leading journals, including JAMA, NEJM AI, JAMA Cardiology, and Circulation. He has presented late-breaking clinical trials at the annual scientific sessions of both the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology. He teaches clinical fellows at Brigham and Women's Hospital in the Cardiac Surgical Intensive Care Unit and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) residents in the Newton-Wellesley Hospital Intensive Care Unit. He also teaches and mentors research fellows in obesity medicine, cardiovascular disease, and clinical informatics.
Dr. Blood completed his residency in internal medicine at Duke University. He then completed fellowships in cardiovascular disease and critical care medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital. He earned his medical degree from the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell in 2015. Additionally, he holds a Master of Science degree from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Johns Hopkins University.
What attracted you to apply to a new medical school?
It was a combination of hands-on learning, a practical approach to problem-solving and critical thinking, and the entrepreneurial spirit of building something new. We were empowered and encouraged to partner with faculty on ways to build curriculum, culture, and patient-centric care as a core of our role as innovators in the development of the new medical school.
What was it like to be a member of the Zucker School of Medicine’s (then, the Hofstra North Shore LIJ School of Medicine) inaugural Class of 2015?
It was a very tight-knit group; the class and the faculty were treading new ground together, so there was a lot of camaraderie. The environment was very fast-paced, well-organized, but quickly adaptable to the needs of the students and faculty.
How did the Zucker School of Medicine help prepare you for what you are doing now?
Very much so – I still think back to my time as an EMT when aspects of our case-based learning prepared me for critical thinking in the field. Working regularly in the critical care unit, physiology, pharmacotherapy, and mechanical support for life are in a delicate interplay that I feel much more prepared for after my education at Hofstra/Northwell.
Has the school's awareness and reputation grown over the years since you graduated?
I have been delighted during my training to meet graduates of Hofstra/Northwell at Mass General Hospital and am now connecting with Hofstra/Northwell graduates at national meetings.
Are there any other physicians or healthcare professionals in your family?
My mother and sister are nurses.
Are you involved with any hobbies/activities?
Most of my time is spent with my family, taking my kids to sports activities and attending their birthday parties. We enjoy visiting family in Washington, DC, Florida, and New Orleans, Louisiana. My clinical care, research, and work for AIwithCare take up most of my time.
Do you have any inspiring words or words of advice for our current students?
The days are long, but the years are short! Enjoy the journey and study hard. Embrace the lifelong learning that Hofstra/Northwell instills.
Is there anything else you would like us to know, future goals?
I hope to return to conduct research and work with Northwell as part of my research and career journey.