It takes a dedicated and talented physician to focus on the spine specialty. Here, two spine surgeons discuss what about the field attracted them to it.
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 ways in which spine practices can engage existing and prospective patients?
Please send responses to Anuja Vaidya at avaidya@beckershealthcare.com by Wednesday, Oct. 22, at 5 p.m. CST.
Question: Why did you decide to become a spine surgeon?
William Taylor, MD, Director, Spine Surgery, Vice Chairman, Division of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Diego: As a neurosurgeon, we are exposed to many different aspects of our specialty during training, and spine seemed to me a growing field with many changes, improvements and innovations in store during my residency and after.
The people who were interested in this area, both orthopedic and neuro, seemed to be the sort of people I wanted to work with, and that turned out to be true. My colleagues both orthopedic and neuro at UCSD are indeed the best kind of physician and surgeons.
Brian R. Gantwerker, MD, The Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles: Spine surgery is an exciting and evolving field. Albeit challenging, it can be very rewarding.
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