Childrens Hospital Los Angeles

Childrens Hospital Los Angeles

I announced to my parents that I wanted to become an orthopaedic surgeon when I was five years old.  During my internship, I realized that every time I had a child in my lap, I was happy. I knew then that I wanted to work with children every day for the rest of my life. I came to Childrens Hospital to obtain specialized training because I felt Childrens Hospital had the best pediatric spine program in the world. Today, as Director of the Scoliosis & Spinal Deformity Program and Director of the Childrens Orthopeadic Center, I feel I absolutely made the right choice! changing the life of a child, and knowing that child can often go on to live the rest of their lives essentially normal.  It is deeply gratifying to watch a child’s self-image and confidence dramatically increase after treatment.  A child will come in for an evaluation wearing dark clothing, self-conscious and avoiding eye contact.  After treatment, that same child will return standing taller, smiling, brimming with confidence.  More than one mother has joked after I perform scoliosis surgery for their teen, “What did you do to my child - she behaves like a normal teenager now and doesn’t listen to me?”I wake up each day around 3:30 a.m., meditate, go to the gym, and get to work by 6 a.m.  From 6 to 8 a.m., I work on papers or textbooks and then begin doing surgery at 8 a.m.  After lunch I take a nap (NBC News actually did a special on me taking naps). I finish up work in time to get home for dinner with my family.

 Childrens Hospital Los Angeles

 Childrens Hospital Los Angeles

 Childrens Hospital Los Angeles

 Childrens Hospital Los Angeles

 Childrens Hospital Los Angeles

 Childrens Hospital Los Angeles

 Childrens Hospital Los Angeles

 Childrens Hospital Los Angeles

 Childrens Hospital Los Angeles