Also, I've given between 60 and 70 lectures in the time that I've been here.
What kinds of places?
Orthopedics, neurology, at Walter Reed [Army Medical Center], mainly at medical clinics. I've talked to a few patient groups, but almost always I'm talking to medical doctors. I have presented grand rounds at the hospital, and I've spoken at many of the 'feeder' clinics for our tertiary care hospital.
What is tertiary care?
There's primary care, which is when you go directly to see your doctor and he'll treat you. If he can't help you, he might send you to a hospital, where they would take care of you for more complex conditions. That's secondary care. If they can't help you, they may send you to a tertiary care facility where there are advanced procedures available. For example, at our hospital, we have interventional radiologists who can treat cerebral aneurysms by a fluoroscopically guided catheterization. They are able to "coil" a cerebral aneurysm or embolize the blood supply to a brain tumor without surgery. Amazing treatments, which are not available at an average hospital; specialty care above and beyond what a normal hospital would have. Bethesda is the Navy's tertiary care hospital. But you can't have just the high-end treatment options. You also have to have a completely supportive infrastructure.
It sounds like a very stimulating environment, where you can help your patients and also be constantly learning.
I've learned a lot. I'm the type of person who learns best through interaction with others, so it's very stimulating for me.
What would you say has given you the greatest satisfaction in your work at Bethesda Naval Hospital?
Getting to know and providing care for wounded heroes returning from the overseas conflicts.
In your work at Bethesda, what have you found most challenging?
Going home at night. The resources and collegiality at the hospital and the Capitol are so great that it can be consuming. I love my work too much. If I did not love my family even more, I would always stay late.
What are your goals for the future?
I would love to see the implementation of hospital-based rotations for all willing chiropractic students. Also, I would love to form a world class multidisciplinary spine center in which all spine related specialties are represented.
Daniel Redwood, the interviewer, teaches at Cleveland Chiropractic College in Kansas City, Missouri. Dr. Redwood is the author of the textbook, Fundamentals of Chiropractic (Mosby, 2003), and is Associate Editor of The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. A collection of his writing is available at www.drredwood.com. He can be reached by email at danredwood@aol.com.
© 2006 by Daniel Redwood