Keeping Hearts in Balance

Written By: Donna Rhodes | Issue: March 2025

Fred Crawford is an exceptional artist in two arenas: heart surgery and wildlife photography. Wearing either hat, he’s always at the top of his game.

As professor emeritus and Medical University of South Carolina’s chief heart surgeon, he’s saved lives, taught others how to save them, and now captures lives in other ways – in stunning photographs.

Poetically speaking, a surgeon and his/her hospital are often stitched together.

“You’re either operating or retired,” says Crawford who learned early-on that recreation and time spent with family are essential. Occasional golf, fly-fishing, and travels kept his surgical work and his own heart in balance.

In early life, a tour in Vietnam sutured another leisure pursuit to Crawford.

He says, “I went to Viet Nam in 1970-71 as a combat surgeon. On leave, I picked up a Nikon camera in Japan. Even though I had little time to take photos then, the camera-purchase changed my life.”

Since retirement, Crawford and his wife of 56 years have enjoyed African Safaris and extended tours of the U.S.

“Photographing wildlife in Africa is amazing. No matter where you look, there’s a winning photo,” says Crawford.

One of his favorite shots was that of a mother cheetah.

“I watched three young male cheetahs approach the mother and her two cubs. Juvenile males often kill young males to eliminate competition. The mother raced to her cubs and spoke to them in Cheetah. They vanished. Mama cheetah turned and charged the three intruders, sending them skedaddling back into the bush. Once safe, she called back her cubs. They appeared out of nowhere. All was well.”

Whether shooting on African plains or Carolina mountains, there are plenty of wildlife tales to tell. Crawford is ready to snap them up, occasionally with photo buddies he’s acquired through his career. As a self-taught photographer, he’s always ready to learn and to teach.

If you get the chance, ask him about a local bear that walked into his Cullasaja home through an open door. He’ll tell you his mouth was equally ajar!

And if you’d like a print of any of his work, contact him at crawfrdf76@gmail.com.