Having a healthy work-life balance is crucial for spine surgeons to be able to deliver high quality patient care and run their practices successfully. Here, five spine surgeons discuss where they go to relax.
Ask Spine Surgeons is a weekly series of questions posed to spine surgeons around the country about clinical, business and policy issues affecting spine care. We invite all spine surgeon and specialist responses. Next week's question: What is the most challenging aspect of independent practice in spine today?
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Please send responses to Anuja Vaidya at avaidya@beckershealthcare.com by Wednesday, April 29, at 5 p.m. CST.
Question: What is your favorite vacation spot to relax?
John C. Liu, MD, Co-Director, USC Spine Center, Keck Medicine of USC, Los Angeles: My favorite vacation spot is a family-owned and-maintained resort in Carmel Valley, California, called Stonepine Estate. This was once a family mansion on 300 acres of scenic land, including horse trails, a four-hole golf course, tennis court, archery and many other fun things to do with the family. It is truly a great place to relax and spend some quality time. It is not uncommon that we are the only guests in the entire place with a staff taking care of all our needs. There is no Internet access and a scant cable selection, which forces all of us to get outdoors or settle in to read a good book. I can feel my blood pressure drop whenever I drive on the property.
Michael S. Hisey, MD, Texas Back Institute, Plano: My favorite spot to relax is my backyard! When I go on vacation, I'm always very active. When I was in Bora Bora, they tried to make me relax, but I hiked, snorkeled, sailed and jet-skied instead.
Walter Eckman, MD, Aurora Spine Center, Tupelo, Miss.: Central Florida.
Thomas Errico, MD, Chief, Spine Division, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York: I am a firm believer in "recharging" the batteries as a method to maintain a happy productive work life. For me it changes over the years, but perhaps being a Pisces I always look to the water. Perhaps that is why fishing as a reason to be on the water relaxes me. Lately I have been spending an increasing amount of my vacation time on the west coast of Costa Rica in the Herradura Bay area. Fishing is great and in the winter you can't beat the predictably good weather.
Richard Kube, MD, Founder, CEO, Prairie Spine & Pain Institute, Peoria, Ill.: For relaxation in a warm destination, you can't beat Aruba. Weather, people and food are predictably good. It is an environment where you can just relax. For winter sports, I like Wyoming. A friend and fellow spine surgeon, Michael Janssen, has a resort there, Saratoga Resort and Spa. You have top notch snowmobiling during the day followed by craft beer in his microbrewery in the evening. Finish the day with a dip in the healing waters of their hot springs. It's a good mix of adrenaline, relaxation and being away from everything work related.
Terrence Crowder, MD, Sonoran Spine Center, Mesa, Ariz.: I love to vacation at the beach. The sounds, smells and sights of the ocean allow my mind to completely escape. At the beach, I feel completely relaxed and free. It's my place of refuge.