Creating cross cultural bonds
for spine surgeons:
the Germán Ochoa
Traveling Fellowship
2016 experience.
Ali Haghnegahdar, the winner of the 2016 Germán Ochoa Traveling Fellowship shares his recent experience in Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham (UK)
Dr Ali Haghnegahdar was the winner of the 2016 German Ochoa Traveling Fellowship Award. His plan was to attend Queens Medical Center (QMC) in Nottingham to work alongside Michael Grevitt (Chairperson of AOSpine Education Commission) and bring with him one of his young fellows from Iran.
Dr Haghnegahdar recently returned from the UK and was very grateful for the experience.
1. Why did you choose QMC in Nottingham for your trip?
QMC is a well-known spine center world-wide. There are spine surgeons from both ortho and neuro schools. They are working in all fields of spine surgery, from minimally-invasive to advanced deformities. They are leading educators in spine fellowship programs. There are two Iranian-British senior surgeons, Mr Mahdian and Mr Shaffafi. They are working on state of the art spine surgery and are also experienced in fellow's education. This is very helpful for Iranian fellows to become adapted with their new situation at QMC much more easily.
Hamid Rezaee, Mike Grevitt and Ali Haghnegahdar enjoying the British countryside
There are fellows from many countries. A real multinational, multicultural environment is present at QMC. Almost 20 fellows are involved in research and clinical activities. This is an indicator of the high level of acceptance of this center.
There are 3 operating rooms available every day and a vast variety of spine pathologies are treated each week. This provides a chance for short term fellows to observe a wide range of pathologies from deformities, degeneration, traumas, to tumors.
Language is a barrier for overseas trainees. English is the most popular and easiest for Iranian surgeons. This is another advantage of QMC.
And last but not least, the role of Mr Michael Grevitt is very important. He has outstanding ability in teamwork and leadership. He encouraged me to apply and accepted that QMC be my host very generously. When I arrived at QMC and observed his excellence in surgical management, skills, and education, I never regretted my selection of QMC.
Ali Haghnegahdar and Mike Grevitt prepare for surgery at QMC, Nottingham
2. Do you feel it was useful for your fellow, Dr Hamid Rezaee, to also attend the hospital?
Yes definitely. This was a great opportunity for him to touch a different fellowship program. I am sure his short stay at QMC opened a new vision in spine surgery for him. Comparing the Shiraz and Nottingham fellowship programs started a kind of motivation for improvement inside him. I would like to have 2 more fellows with me but unfortunately it remains a wish at this stage.
3. I understand you got the opportunity to visit St Thomas's Hospital in London. Do you feel the hospitals vary from city to city?
Yes. I recognize the same sorts of differences when I travel between Shiraz and Tehran. Living, traveling and teaching in bigger cities is more complicated. For every step more time and energy is utilized in metropolitan cities. It took time to get permission for access to the OR at St Thomas. I appreciate Mr Lucas's support for helping me achieve this goal. In Nottingham life is more smooth and friendly. In London you enjoy life at a more expensive price.
4. I know you planned this trip to create cross cultural relationships. Do you feel you have been successful in this endeavor?
Yes. This trip provided an environment of exchange between two centers. I firstly received a request to have an observer fellowship at QMC a few days ago. I will send it to Professor Grevitt soon. I hope we can exchange fellows and invite consultants from QMC to visit our center. It may be attendance in a course or symposium or a short stay to share their experience with Iranian colleagues.
Ali Haghnegahdar acceptes the German Ochoa Traveling Fellowship from Mike Grevitt during the Global Spine Congress 2016
5. Working in Iran must be very different to working in the UK. What barriers are there for you in Iran that do not affect spinal surgeons in the UK?
No; there is not a significant difference between spine surgery in Iran and UK. Nowadays we are living in a global village. All improvements in science and changes in skills and instruments are well addressed and available in Iran. Let me say, AOSpine provides a unique utility that helps all spine surgeons world-wide to become up to date.
In some aspects, we have some limitations in Iran. Regarding the economic situation and long term sanctions, we had a shortage of some kinds of instruments for short periods of time. This did not have a huge impact on treating patients. There are some limitations in hospital budgets over recent years. However, overall, they will be improved after elimination of the sanctions. These types of problems are unimaginable in UK.
6. Finally how has AOSpine influenced and supported you in your professional career and why would you recommend becoming an AOSpine Member?
Put simply, AOSpine opened a door to an international community of spine surgeons for me. There is no other comprehensive organization that allows all spine related specialists to join so simply and engage in its programs. Furthermore, each region has its own AOSpine, founded by local surgeons creating a sense of community.
This democratic organization provided me a chance to gain knowledge, improve my skills, and act as a faculty and tutor. Its courses are designed from basic to master level. There are vast opportunities for fellowships, being a faculty, and doing research. All of these make an environment for growing over time. As a dynamic process, there is constant change in responsibilities and positions. This provides the chance to meet new faces and to be involved in fostering scientific dimensions of AOSpine.
My final point in answering this question is that internal relationships within AOSpine are based on respect, friendship, and rule of law. This makes AOSpine a big family. You feel yourself at home when you are working at or attending an AOSpine event, even when you encounter challenging situations. All of these have helped me greatly during my career.
FacultyFocus
2-2016