Vascular surgeon serves family, patients and country

SANDUSKY — "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," is the essence of the American dream. One can see echoes of that dream by looking into the life experience of Matthew Langenberg, M.D., vascular surgeon. We spoke with Dr. Langenberg about his journey of becoming a physician, Air Force Chief of Aerospace Medicine (Flight Surgeon), and family man. Reflecting on his time as a young Boy Scout, he recalls one formative moment that propelled him toward a path to becoming a vascular surgeon. "We were headed to James Bay in Canada," explains Dr. Langenberg. "At one point there were no roads, and we were on a train to the middle of nowhere. We even saw teepees along the way." Dr. Langenberg recalls meeting a native who got his finger stuck in a door, making for a graphic scene. "We used our Boy Scout first aid materials and training to wrap his finger," he said. In a remote environment, Dr. Langenberg and his fellow Boy Scouts applied direct pressure, elevated it and controlled the bleeding, possibly saving a life. "Seeing his reaction after we helped him really resonated with me." That was the first time he realized that this could be a career path. Amid his interests, Dr. Langenberg enjoyed science and math growing up. "My dad was an industrial engineer at General Motors Company," he said. At first, engineering seemed like a natural path to follow, but he quickly realized that being an engineer wasn't for him. "When I was at Michigan State University, focusing on physiology, I realized I enjoyed helping people," Dr. Langenberg said. Dr. Langenberg got the best of both worlds as physiology and engineering have similarities in that they both aim to solve technical problems. "I use engineering problem-solving methods in my work with my patients every day. The human body is complex, and understanding how it works lets me apply my problem-solving skills to help my patients." Academic career Dr. Langenberg had a vibrant academic career. As an undergrad at Michigan State, he studied abroad at the University of Seville, Spain. While there, Dr. Langenberg had the opportunity to work at the World's Fair in Seville and the Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona, two world renowned events that exposed him to culture outside of the United States. "This was such a memorable time in my life," Dr. Langenberg said. After his time in Spain, Dr. Langenberg studied at the University of Paris – the Sorbonne. He recounts one of his favorite anecdotes when interviewing for the program. "The program instructor didn't speak English and I didn't speak French, so we had a problem. Fortunately, we both spoke Spanish, so we conducted the interview in our second language," he said. As if Spain and France weren't enough, Dr. Langenberg also spent his third year of medical school in London, England. "Being overseas and becoming a minority in another culture really helps round your perspective, and appreciate your own situation," he said. "I truly loved it." He graduated undergrad with a double major in human physiology and in Spanish. Becoming a vascular surgeon Following undergrad, Dr. Langenberg earned his Master of Science and a doctor of medicine from the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine in St. Maarten, Dutch West Indies. He went on to complete his general surgery internship and residency at Northside Medical Center in Youngstown, Ohio. While in surgical residency, he joined the Air Force Reserves. "It's basically a ticket to everywhere," he said. "I am trained as an Air Force occupational medicine specialist for aviators, so I went through all the necessary training to fly." Dr. Langenberg earned his wings while an attending vascular surgeon, and since then, has been deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq, and has 82 recorded combat hours between his time in the Air Force and Air National Guard. "I've been in the Air Force for 22 years now. My dad was in the Air Force. My grandfather was Army Air Corps and flew fighter planes (P-40) during World War II in the Pacific. I'm very proud of my country," said Dr. Langenberg, who is a member of the 180th Fighter Wing. He went on to complete his vascular surgery fellowship at the University of Kentucky (Chandler Medical Center) in Lexington, Kentucky. It wasn't until his first job in practice as a vascular surgeon, living in Youngstown, that he met his wife, Stefanie. Dr. Langenberg and his wife have four children, two boys and two girls. They enjoy downhill skiing, fishing, motocross, ice hockey, camping, and if you haven't picked up on this already, they love to travel. "I give a lot of credit to my wife. Being a surgeon comes with its expectations," he said. "The balance is key in all parts of life. You've got to have personal time, family time, God time, friend time, and you've got to have work time. It's a big juggling act, no doubt, but I am so thankful for my wife's support." As a nurse anesthetist, she inherently understands the job requirements of being a vascular surgeon. Vascular surgery at Firelands Health A vascular surgeon has to have a full understanding of the human body and how it works, especially blood flow. "My job is simple. If you have a wound on your foot due to lack of blood supply, my job is to get more blood down there. If I don't, someone may lose a leg," he said. In his practice with Jeffrey Buehrer, M.D., vascular surgeon, they treat peripheral arterial disease (PAD), leg pain or swelling caused by poor circulation, varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiencies, deep vein thrombosis, carotid artery disease and aneurysms. Learn more about Dr. Langenberg and the Firelands Physician Group vascular office at firelands.com/vascular.