Hindsight is 20-20, and it's not uncommon for people to wish they could rewind the clock and approach key career decisions differently.
Four spine surgeons discuss what or if they would change any aspect of their careers.
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. Becker's invites all spine surgeon and specialist responses.
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Please send responses to Carly Behm at cbehm@beckershealthcare.com by 5 p.m. CST Wednesday, March 13.
Editor's note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: What’s a career decision you wish you could go back in time to change?
Brian Gantwerker, MD. The Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles: I wish I had found the surgeon whose office I now occupy about two years sooner. He was a community neurosurgeon, well-loved and with excellent patients. As he was retiring, he offered to buy his practice, but I had already signed a different lease and was not in a good place financially. As it stands, I ended up moving into his office and hiring his old practice manager initially. Both she and I agreed we wish I had been there a year or two earlier. The good but painful thing was that I had to build everything and take elements of his old practice in but also forge my own path ahead. Having a turnkey practice is what many of us dream of, but not the hand that was dealt to me. Striving and creating my own brand with my staff has been and continues to be a tremendous journey.
Sohaib Hashmi, MD. UCI Health (Orange, Calif.): Reflecting on my career, if given the chance, I would have pursued all additional resident and fellow spine courses during my training. These opportunities allow early exposure to scope of surgical spine treatments, valuable benefits for shaping trainees’ career goals. Comprehensive educational opportunities allows trainees unmatched understanding of complex procedures, innovative techniques, and emerging technologies, otherwise not possible at their training institutions. Additionally, exposure to outside academic spine surgeons and their diverse skill sets broaden perspectives and enrich professional relationships and mentorship career development.
Steven Vanni, DO. HCA Florida University Hospital (Davie, Florida): I really wouldn’t change much. I have a wealth of experience in academia. I am currently an adjunct professor of neurosurgery at Nova Southeastern University’s college of medicines and a volunteer professor at the University of academia, so I am still connected to academia. I have extensive publications in spine journals and cancer research, I eventually left academic full time to begin the HCA Florida Neurosurgical Specialists practice here in Davie.
Christian Zimmerman, MD. St. Alphonsus Medical Group and SAHS Neuroscience Institute (Boise, Idaho): Frankly, maybe one. Decisions about training, practice geography and type of neurosurgical practice were advantageous to say the least, both privately and professionally. Becoming an employee of Trinity Health System has also been far and away, more rewarding in regard to both patient, coworker and community reward. Within this citizenry, the current stigmata of for-profit physician owned hospitals and its owner/participants are waning in both appeal and satisfaction. The larger health systems are more accommodating, affordable and available for specialized care.
If there is an axiom of passing or words to the wisest it would be from one's professional outing to be judicious in both investment towards family and finance. These are indubitable prospective dividends. The old school physician culture of relentless work ethic and rigorous schedules have been buffered with better life balance, and familial based life choices. My career has afforded me the latter.