Three spine surgeons share what they are most thankful for, professionally and personally.
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 regulatory factors currently pose the biggest threats to effective spine care?
Please send responses to Anuja Vaidya at avaidya@beckershealthcare.com by Wednesday, Nov. 29, at 5 p.m. CST.
Question: What are you most thankful for this year?
Payam Farjoodi, MD. Orthopedic Spine Surgeon at Spine Health Center at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center (Fountain Valley, Calif.): I am thankful for my wonderful wife and family. Professionally, I am blessed to be able to help others while doing something I love and to be rewarded for doing it!
Richard Kube, MD. Founder and CEO of Prairie Spine & Pain Institute (Peoria, Ill.): I'm always thankful for my family and the health of everyone in it. I've recovered from a few orthopedic procedures. The kids have had a great year in academics and athletics. My wife remains the perfect partner with me through it all.
Brian R. Gantwerker, MD. Founder of the Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles: By far and away, my family. Making it through hard times requires a diverse support system. My wife, who is also my practice manager, has shared the ups and downs. And, to relax on a weekend and watch our son become a phenomenal swimmer (and kid) has been therapeutic. My brother, who is also a surgeon, has been a consiglieri. Together, we have relied on each other to get us through tough cases or complications, and of course, to rally support, one for the other. Our professional careers have been very different, mine in private practice, his in academic pediatric otolaryngology, but we share the same love of what we do and to get better and better at what we do.