Keys to Work/Life Balance w/ Dr. Brian Gantwerker (Ep. #7)
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EPISODE 7
Dr. Gantwerker explains how he and his wife, who operate together at the Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles, have managed to create an ideal work/life balance after starting the practice at the same time they started a family. Nate and Brian also talk about the importance of keeping your nurses and staff feeling valued, the impacts that AI will have on certain specialties, and the interferences from health insurance carriers on patient care.
Insights from a Leading Neurosurgeon on Balancing Family and Career
Dr. Brian Gantwerker, a board-certified neurosurgeon specializing in brain tumors, degenerative diseases, and spinal cord injuries, shares his journey from Chicago to Cleveland, Ohio, and eventually to Phoenix, Arizona. Along the way, he reflects on his experiences and the importance of staying connected to his Midwestern roots. With the upcoming expansion of the Big 10 conference, which includes teams from the Pac-12, Dr. Gantwerker, a fan of Illinois and Northwestern football, looks forward to following college football games from the West Coast, even if it means early mornings and streaming games on his phone.
Dr. Gantwerker recounts his experiences living on both coasts, highlighting the differences in time zones and lifestyles. Watching the Super Bowl in the middle of the day during his brief stay in Arizona was disorienting compared to the East Coast schedule he was used to. He also touches on the impact of time zones on financial markets, especially for physicians who need to manage their accounts early. Despite the perks of the West Coast's weather and outdoor lifestyle, he acknowledges the high cost of living and competitive real estate market, making it a challenging adjustment.
Starting a Business and a Family
Moving from Ohio to Los Angeles to start his neurosurgery practice presented its own set of challenges. The high cost of living and competitive job market in Los Angeles were daunting, but Dr. Gantwerker and his wife chose to stay for the sake of family and raising their children in a multigenerational environment. He emphasizes the importance of having a strong foundation and determination to live where one desires, sharing how starting their own practice was a priority for them.
Balancing a new business and family life brought its own set of challenges. Dr. Gantwerker recounts a stressful period when office issues and training new employees coincided with his wife's labor. However, their dedication to treating employees with dignity and respect paid off, especially during difficult times like the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on employee happiness and maintaining a positive work atmosphere, which ultimately leads to better patient care and higher employee satisfaction.
Retaining staff is crucial for a successful and welcoming medical practice. Dr. Gantwerker underscores the value of institutional memory and its positive impact on patients. Working with his wife in their practice has taught them the importance of maintaining a work-life balance and mutual respect. Despite the challenges, they have learned to separate work from home life to ensure a healthy balance.
Finding a Healthy Work/Life Balance
Dr. Gantwerker highlights the significance of work-life balance for doctors and the role of their spouses in their professional and personal lives. He stresses that doctors are not designed to operate at high performance levels constantly and need to give their spouses space and time for their work. His experience working with his spouse has been instrumental in their business success, emphasizing the importance of respecting each other's space and perspectives, especially in financial matters. Open communication and due diligence in financial decisions are crucial for maintaining a healthy relationship.
The analogy of dancing with a partner illustrates the importance of respecting each other's roles in decision-making, particularly in finances and business. Dr. Gantwerker and his partner have different approaches, but they have learned to find balance and become their own advisers. The conversation also touches on the inefficiencies of working too hard without balancing income and expenses. The key takeaway is the importance of finding balance and being good at "dancing" in both personal and professional relationships.
AI and Private Practice
Growing a private practice efficiently and sustainably is essential, and Dr. Gantwerker warns against treating a business like a venture capital investment. The conversation shifts to the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the medical industry. While AI offers opportunities for improving treatment decisions, Dr. Gantwerker expresses concerns about the lack of guardrails and potential misuse of AI. He emphasizes that AI should be a tool, not the primary decision-maker, and that human expertise remains crucial in healthcare. Concerns about AI in medicine highlight the importance of responsibility and accountability. Dr. Gantwerker warns against the diffusion of responsibility and the potential for AI to make mistakes without clear guidelines. While AI can be useful in administrative tasks, human decision-making is necessary for patient care.
Ethical business practices are crucial, as illustrated by a failed private equity firm in the emergency physicians sector. Dr. Gantwerker contrasts this with environmentally responsible investing and companies that prioritize employee care and long-term benefits. The discussion shifts to minimally invasive neurosurgery techniques, focusing on patient care and examples like microdiscectomy and endoscopic surgery. Balancing advanced technology with good judgment in medical procedures is essential for prioritizing patient outcomes.
Dr. Gantwerker emphasizes the need for caution and careful consideration in medical procedures, advocating for a minimally invasive approach when appropriate. The conversation touches on regenerative medicine as an alternative to surgery in certain situations. He discusses the complexities of treating spine injuries in athletes and the importance of counseling patients on potential consequences. Insurance carriers denying coverage for FDA-approved treatments presents significant challenges, but class action lawsuits and holding payers accountable can help fix the broken system.
Planning for retirement and maintaining a good quality of life involves smart financial decisions. Dr. Gantwerker recommends investing in a decent house, especially in a good school district, and avoiding outsourcing everything to save money and learn new skills. He advises against taking out home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) for home improvements and emphasizes the importance of delaying gratification and investing in hard assets.
ABOUT Dr. BRIAN GANTWERKER
Board-certified neurosurgeon Brian R. Gantwerker, MD, specializes in the treatment of spinal and neurological conditions. He is fellowship-trained in complex spinal surgery and has been practicing for well over a decade. At The Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles, patients benefit from his extensive experience treating complex brain and spine problems with minimally invasive techniques, and traditional surgery. Working with new techniques such as neuro navigation, spinal endoscopy, and also providing direct patient care with a physician, Dr. Gantwerker makes the patient paramount.
Well-respected in his field, Dr. Gantwerker has authored several book chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles. He has also appeared on podcasts, television, and radio interviews and has instructed undergraduates, medical students, and residents in various neurosurgical topics.
Dr. Gantwerker earned a degree with honors in psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. He went on to receive his medical degree from Rush Medical College in Chicago, where he focused on peripheral nerve regeneration research. After completing his neurosurgical residency at University Hospitals of Cleveland, Dr. Gantwerker studied spinal cord regeneration with stem cells at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. He then completed a complex spine fellowship at the world-renowned Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona.
Dr. Gantwerker is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa and Golden Key honor societies. He is an active member of key esteemed professional organizations, including the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), and the North American Spine Society (NASS). He’s also a board member of the California Association of Neurological Surgeons (CANS) and a board-certified diplomate of the American Board of Neurological Surgeons (ABNS).
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