Becker's ASC Review

45 ORTHOPEDICS Randall Porter, MD. Barrow Neurological Institute (Phoenix): I have been very fortunate to be part of the Barrow Neurological Institute for 28 years, more than half my life. I completed a seven- year residency from 1993 to 2000 and have been on the faculty for the past 21 years. I was interested in academic neurosurgery, but probably not in the most common and usual sense. Although I have more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and well over 200 presentations, I would consider myself less a neurosurgeon-scientist (as I do not have a laboratory) than a clinician-scientist. I strive to mentor residents and fellows and hopefully offer an example of how to treat patients, family and staff. I seek to make operative decisions based on what I would recommend to a family member, not on what enhances my reputation in a meeting, presentation or research paper. My goal is to teach the next generation to be compassionate physicians first and neurosurgeons second. My focus in research has evolved as well, emphasizing how patient experience and communi- cation affect healthcare. Furthermore, being in a "privademic" setting that combines busi- ness aspects of private practice and academia creates flexibility and independence without the usual constraints of a university aca- demic program. is setting also allows me to express my opinions without the fear of retribution; on the clinical side, we function as a private practice, with everyone having an equal vote. is emphasis on self-determination has always been a strength of Barrow. e hy- brid structure of the institution tends to attract independent-mind- ed people and, in my opinion, great leaders in each subspecialty. Finally, I also wanted to carry on the traditions demonstrated to me by my mentors, Robert Spetzler, MD, and Volker Sonntag, MD. eir dedication to education, research, residents, family, leader- ship and decency has inspired me throughout my career. I hope to continue that legacy. David Essig, MD. Northwell Health (New Hyde Park, N.Y.): From an employment standpoint, I was looking for a position that allowed me to treat a variety of pathologies among a diverse patient popula- tion. I wanted access to academic opportunities, including access to teaching, research and colleagues who could assist me in the care of complex patient cases. Finally, I was seeking a geographic locale that allowed me to have easy access to family and friends, as well as recreational opportunities. Miki Katzir, MD. University of Nebraska Medical Center (Oma- ha): As the director of surgical spine oncology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Cen- ter, the focus of my practice is surgical resection of spine tumors. UNMC and the Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center is the only NCI-designated cancer center in Nebraska. Aviva Abosch, MD, PhD, the neurosurgery department chair at UNMC, recruited me aer graduating from my fellowship at the Ohio State University James Cancer Hospital Solove Research Insti- tute in Columbus. e moment I started the interview process, I was thrilled to meet the excellent team from medical, neuro, radiation oncology and neurosurgery that I'm about to join. Treating cancer patients was al- ways my goal and luckily today, metastatic or primary spine cancer does not mean the end of the road for patients. I love the Midwest; the people, the culture and the family-friendly environment all played a major role in my decision to choose Omaha as my family's new home. In my second year here, thanks to the many friends we have here in and outside the hospital, I truly feel that we made the right choice. n How 4 physicians envision orthopedic surgery in 2031 By Carly Behm F rom a breakup within the specialty to growing robot-assisted procedures, here are the predic- tions of what orthopedic surgery will look like in the next decade from four surgeons. Question: What will orthopedic surgery look like 10 years from now? Eric Grossman, MD. A surgeon at Rothman Ortho- paedic Institute (New York City): We are in the early stages of widespread technological advancements that will continue to improve outcomes and decision-making for orthopedic surgeons in both planning and real time. Robotics will continue to develop more sophisticated platforms, and with the addition of artificial intelligence and improved imaging, further enhance robotic accu- racy and capability. We will also continue to see mate- rial advancements leading to improved durability and longevity of orthopedic constructs. Robert Peinert, Jr. MD. An orthopedic surgeon in Harlingen, Texas: I expect to see the beginning of the breakup of orthopedics into an operative speciality as it currently is, and a medical speciality in which the thrust will be in gene therapy and tissue manipulation. Ammar Saymeh, MD. Director of foot and ankle medicine at NJ Spine and Wellness (Freehold, N.J.): The technology behind surgical implants within the orthopedic field will continue to adapt and evolve over the next 10 years. As we focus our attention to improv- ing patient outcomes, it is without a doubt among the most vital aspects of biomedical engineering research in our time. These implants continue to be improved year after year. The goal for both patient and surgeon alike are less revisions and overall increased longevity of the implant. When we hone in on the total ankle arthro- plasty, for example, we find a dramatic increase in usage and success rates as the technology behind the implant continues to improve. Jason Snibbe, MD. A surgeon at Snibbe Orthopedics (Los Angeles): Ten years from now all joint replacement will be done robotically. The implants will have a chip in them to monitor patients' range of motion, strength and activity. We will also be able to measure porous ingrowth digitally. In arthroscopic surgery, the scopes and instruments will become smaller. There will be less tissue damage and faster recovery. The use of biologics and supplements will transform recovery. We will use preoperative testing to determine what biologics works best for the patient. We will use diet and supplements for every surgical patient to opti- mize the recovery. n

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