Jason E. Lowenstein, MD, director of the Scoliosis and Spinal Deformity Center at Morristown, N.J.-based Atlantic Health System, discusses the department's goals to expand treatment options in the future.
Question: How has your role as a spine department leader evolved over the past two to three years? How have your responsibilities changed?
Dr. Jason Lowenstein: We have grown our scoliosis and spinal deformity program over the past two to three years at both our primary hospital, Morristown Medical Center, and across Atlantic Health System, and have continued to develop a comprehensive approach to offer care across our healthcare system.
Q: What do you consider your No. 1 priority to ensure departmental success?
JL: My No. 1 priority is to maximize communication, both within the department and with our community, including our patients and referral sources. Effectively communicating what resources are available, and the options for diagnosis and treatment, is extremely important in developing a successful program.
Q: What is the biggest challenge you are facing as head of the department and how are you overcoming that?
JL: The biggest challenge is trying to pursue all of the various interests of the department, and to effectively prioritize and best allocate resources to achieve our collective goals.
Q: What are the department's goals for 2019 and what is your vision?
JL: Our goal for 2019 is to continue to strategically expand our department, and to offer the most state-of-the-art care for our scoliosis and spinal deformity patients. Scoliosis treatment continues to evolve and expand, including new bracing and therapy options as well as advancing growth modulation surgeries. Our goal is to offer all available options to our patients, so that we can allow them to make an informed decision when choosing and formulating a collaborative treatment strategy.
To learn more about key trends in the spine field today, register for the Becker's 17th Annual Future of Spine + The Spine, Orthopedic and Pain management-Driven ASC Conference, June 13-15, 2019 in Chicago.