Two spine surgeons discuss the clinicians they look up to in their professional lives.
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 are some benefits and disadvantages of being a hospital-employed physician?
Please send responses to Anuja Vaidya at avaidya@beckershealthcare.com by Wednesday, Oct. 18, at 5 p.m. CST.
Question: Who do you look to as a mentor in your professional career?
Brian R. Gantwerker, MD. Founder of the Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles: I admittedly have a few. First, my chairman, Dr. Warren Selman, for his surgical skill, humor and ability to connect with his trainees. He did always look out for us. My residency director, Dr. Alan Cohen for his innate ability to know the danger areas during surgery, his compassion for his patients, his erudite adherence to anatomical knowledge and his willingness to be a decent human being. And finally, my fellowship director, Dr. Volker Sonntag, for his humility, respect and commonsense approach to decision making.
Kern Singh, MD. Co-Director of Minimally Invasive Spine Institute at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush (Chicago): Dr. Alexander Vaccaro is a distinguished spinal surgeon that I appreciate. His ability to pursue research while continuously providing high-quality patient care are great traits of a dedicated physician. I respect his work ethic and energy which are second to none. Even as he matures, his energy level has still not dropped.