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00:00:00 – 00:19:43
The video features Dr. Brian Gantwerker, founder and president of the Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles, who shares insights drawn from his extensive training and career in neurosurgery. He reflects on his formative experiences at Case Western in Cleveland, Ohio, and the Barrow Neurological Institute, influenced by mentors like Ben Colombi, Matt Likovic, and Dr. Volker Sonntag. Dr. Gantwerker emphasizes the value of maintaining personal patient connections, a principle that guided his transition to private practice.
He discusses the challenges faced during the 2008-2009 job market downturn, highlighting the perseverance required to establish a niche in neurosurgery. Practical advice for new practice owners includes building strong local doctor networks, securing a line of credit, and using social media effectively. Financial tips cover managing credit wisely, obtaining proper registrations, and ensuring cash flow through Medicare.
Dr. Gantwerker also advises on the intricacies of starting and managing a medical practice, stressing the importance of being accessible to patients, taking general calls, and handling challenging cases with care. For new graduates, he underscores the significance of obtaining legal counsel for employment contracts, ensuring all terms are documented, and being cautious of vague offers.
This comprehensive guide provides valuable tips on navigating the complexities of a medical career, highlighting patient engagement, financial prudence, and legal diligence as essential components of achieving success and stability in the field.
00:00:00
In this segment of the interview, Dr. Brian Gantwerker, founder and president of the Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles, discusses his residency and fellowship experiences. He trained at Case Western in Cleveland, Ohio, and admired two surgeons, Ben Colombi and Matt Likovic, for their close relationships with patients and transparent practices. Their empathetic and hands-on approach influenced Dr. Gantwerker’s decision to pursue a career in a smaller private practice where he could maintain a direct and personal connection with his patients. He valued the dedication and human qualities these surgeons exhibited, which contrasted with the research-intensive environment of academia. Additionally, Dr. Gantwerker touches on his fellowship at the Barrow Neurological Institute, mentored by Dr. Volker Sonntag, emphasizing the impact these experiences had on shaping his career and approach to patient care.
00:03:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the revival of neurosurgeons’ involvement in spinal surgery, highlighting the efforts of key individuals like Sontag. They recount their experience at an institution that operates like a large private practice yet also trains fellows and residents. The speaker then shares their journey of job searching during the 2008-2009 economic downturn, which involved making cold calls and eventually finding a position in Los Angeles. They emphasize the importance of realistic expectations, adapting on the fly, and the necessity of perseverance through unforeseen challenges. When transitioning to private practice, they faced obstacles like establishing a niche and defining the type of surgeon they wanted to be, considering various focus areas within neurosurgery.
00:06:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the realities of working in spine surgery, emphasizing the importance of general calls and building a practice. They highlight the need for networking with local doctors, understanding their needs, and making oneself accessible, such as by giving out cell phone numbers to facilitate referrals. The narrative then shifts to the speaker’s personal experience of starting a practice with his wife, despite having little prior knowledge. Key advice includes securing a line of credit from a bank to finance the practice, which the speaker identifies as a crucial and often overlooked step.
00:09:00
In this part of the video, the speaker offers advice on the essential financial and administrative steps for starting a business, particularly a medical practice. Key recommendations include obtaining a line of credit but being cautious not to overextend, securing a PO Box for receiving payments, and getting a business credit card. Additionally, the importance of registering with Medicare to ensure consistent cash flow is emphasized. The speaker also discusses the significance of social media for marketing, especially for medical professionals like neurosurgeons, suggesting that providing valuable and useful content can help in engaging with potential clients.
00:12:00
In this part of the video, the speaker emphasizes the importance of completing connections when people reach out, but also advises caution against giving out medical advice online due to potential legal and professional repercussions. They suggest that surgeons should focus on being of service on social media by providing valuable information and demystifying medical terms, rather than seeking large followings. Additionally, the speaker shares advice on early career success, highlighting the necessity of being highly available, taking on-call duties, and handling tough cases with diligence, while acknowledging that not all outcomes will be favorable.
00:15:00
In this part of the video, the speaker emphasizes the importance of owning patient outcomes and being deeply engaged with patients for building a good reputation. The discussion includes practical advice for new graduates entering the job market, stressing the necessity of obtaining a contract attorney specialized in healthcare law, ensuring all job offers and terms are in writing, and being cautious of vague or informal job offers. Additionally, the speaker advises moving on from offers that don’t feel right, as clauses within contracts may be exercised to one’s disadvantage later.
00:18:00
In this part of the video, the speaker emphasizes the importance of thoroughly reviewing employment contracts before signing. Key advice includes consulting an attorney, ensuring all negotiated terms are in writing, and being clear on various stipulations such as sign-on bonuses, relocation, tax implications, and clauses related to unforeseen events like COVID-19. The speaker also highlights the need to be aware of potential outcomes and recourse options if the employer exercises certain clauses, stressing that surprises in employment contracts are undesirable.