Four spine surgeons share what they are most thankful for this year.
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 healthcare policies concern you the most?
Please send responses to Anuja Vaidya at avaidya@beckershealthcare.com by Wednesday, Nov. 28, at 5 p.m. CST.
Question: What are you most thankful for this year?
J. Brian Gill, MD. Spine Surgeon at Nebraska Spine Hospital (Omaha): There are so many things to be thankful for this year that I could go on for quite some time. First, I am thankful for my family who supports me wholeheartedly. Our career is quite demanding with time, stress, etcetera, but it's just that, my career. It is not my life, which is why I am thankful for my family and the many blessings that have been bestowed upon me through grace.
Rob D. Dickerman, DO, PhD. Director of Neurosurgery at Presbyterian Hospital of Plano (Texas) and Director of Spine Surgery at Medical Center Frisco (Texas): My friends and family.
Vladimir Sinkov, MD. Spine Surgeon at New Hampshire Orthopaedic Center (Nashua): First of all, I am most thankful for my family. They are the biggest joy in my life and the greatest motivation for me to do what I do professionally. Very close second item I am grateful for is my ability to provide excellent care to my patients and see them recover and improve their quality of life and ability to function. This year, I was finally able to start using robotic technology in my minimally invasive spine practice to provide more precise, efficient as well as the most technologically advanced spine surgery available on the market.
Brian R. Gantwerker, MD. Founder of the Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles: I am most grateful for the support of my wife and partner, who is just as dedicated to patient care and safety, and the integrity and quality of our practice as I am.
Ram Mudiyam, MD, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon at Hoag Orthopedic Institute (Irvine, Calif.): Every year, at this time of Thanksgiving, I'm most grateful to my immediate family members for their unending love and support. Their understanding and constant encouragement go a long way in reducing the stress and anxiety I am subjected to on a daily basis. Spine surgery as a profession ranks among the most difficult and demanding jobs out there and it is reassuring that you have a caring spouse and appreciative children with unfailing loyalty in times of need.
I'm most thankful to my patients who have placed their utmost trust in me. They are the reason why my colleagues and I exist in this challenging profession, constantly pushing ourselves to be the best we can be, ethically, morally and technically, in our lifelong endeavor to relieve pain and improve function and quality of life in patients afflicted with complex spinal disorders.