Chapter 17: Defining What Neurosurgery Should Be and Looking Ahead to an Institute
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Description
Dr. Sawaya notes that he has led the development of two major programs (at MD Anderson and Baylor) and will transition out of administrative positions in each. He would ideally like to act on his vision to create a free-standing neurosurgery institute at MD Anderson that houses all laboratory and patient care activities under one roof. He suspects that MD Anderson is the only place in the country where this kind of development could happen.
Looking back, Dr. Sawaya states that he is pleased that he has defined neurosurgery “as what it should be.” He makes reference to the tree image discussed in Session I, noting that this is a model that others would like to emulate, but cannot. He emphasizes that this multi-disciplinary approach is not theory, but can and has worked and is thriving.
Dr. Sawaya states that each member of the Department of Neurosurgery should understand that they exist in partnership with a great department with the full backing of what MD Anderson is as an institution. MD Anderson is also stronger, he says, because of what each individual offers and creates.
Identifier
SawayaR_03_20130625_C17
Publication Date
7-16-2013
City
Houston, Texas
Interview Session
Topics Covered
The Interview Subject's Story - View on Career and AccomplishmentsCareer and Accomplishments; Contributions to MD Anderson; MD Anderson Impact; Professional Practice; The MD Anderson Ethos; MD Anderson Culture; Understanding the Institution; Giving Recognition; Dedication to MD Anderson, to Patients, to Faculty/Staff; Character, Values, Beliefs, Talents
Transcript
Tacey Ann Rosolowski, PhD:
Well, thinking about the future, what are your plans in the coming years? What is it that you would really like to achieve in the next years?
Raymond Sawaya, MD:
I think with my combined role at Baylor and MD Anderson, I’ve lead the development of two major programs. The one at Baylor, I think, soon it will be ten years that I’ve done that role. So clearly I will transition out of that role. And there is new leadership at Baylor, and the program has flourished and really not only survived but thrived. I will end my role at Baylor once my contract is finished in 2015. At MD Anderson, in 2015 I will celebrate twenty-five years of development, as we have been discussing—you and I. And so I think it would be very appropriate for me to transition also out of my role that I have had now for twenty-five years. I think there are many, many competent individuals from within the department or from outside that can carry on the torch and maybe bring in a new vision—just like with MD Anderson leadership, change can and should be good. Ideally having learned all that I have learned of our brain tumor program, having been part of its development, I can see the creation of an institute of neurological tumors, a neuroscience tumor institute at MD Anderson. I have the vision of creating a free-standing center, where we consolidate not only our laboratories but all patient care activities under one roof and truly integrate all of these efforts under unified leadership. It’s no small plan. It will take a lot of preparation, a lot of convincing, a lot of lobbying. But I think it’s one that this place—it’s the only place in the country that I know of that can pull something off like that.
Tacey Ann Rosolowski, PhD:
And when you look back at the various things that you’ve accomplished, which of them makes you most content?
Raymond Sawaya, MD:
I think I have defined neurosurgical oncology as to what it should be. And it’s that tree that’s on the wall behind you. That’s really pretty much—because it’s the model that others would like to emulate. And many can’t, because of restrictions or the way they’re structured in their own institution or a variety of reasons. Having been able to see that here and to have made it happen and proving that it can not only work but it succeeds in a permanent way—I mean, this has been twenty-five years almost, and it’s still thriving. It’s not like I got lucky and for two years it worked. It’s not. It’s based on very strong principles and real principles that have survived the test of time. I think to me this is probably the biggest. And all the components that come with it, including education. I mean, the number of very accomplished neurosurgeons that come here and see things differently and learn from it and take it back to wherever they are and apply—I mean, this multiplies the influence and the effect—obviously, in my view, a positive effect of handling this problem.
Tacey Ann Rosolowski, PhD:
Well, I’m at the end of my questions. Is there anything else you would like to add at this point Dr. Sawaya?
Raymond Sawaya, MD:
No. You’ve been wonderful, carefully listening and taking notes. You’ve asked a lot of great, great questions. And I’m glad I could contribute some to the history of MD Anderson. It has been a privilege for me to be part of this history here.
Tacey Ann Rosolowski, PhD:
I’m glad you’ve had a good experience. It was a real pleasure.
Raymond Sawaya, MD:
Thank you. I do remember telling you I think early on in our interview process that I tell my faculty that this is a partnership between a great institution and what became a great department and great program. That each one of them separately would not be as strong. So we would not have been as strong as a neurosurgical and a brain tumor program if we didn’t have the backing of what MD Anderson is—not only in reputation but in resources, in patients coming here, and whatever. So we benefited from that tremendously. And the reverse is true. MD Anderson is stronger because of what we created, what we brought to the table, what we offer our patients—that they can come here and get the best care and the highest level of care. And so it’s a partnership, and if any of us has enough ego to say, “I’m the strongest. I did it.” I think I would like to deflate that ego.
Tacey Ann Rosolowski, PhD:
Thank you very much.
Raymond Sawaya, MD:
Pleasure. Thank you.
Tacey Ann Rosolowski, PhD:
And I’m turning off the recorder at twelve minutes after three. (End of Audio 3 Session 3)
Recommended Citation
Sawaya, Raymond MD and Rosolowski, Tacey A. PhD, "Chapter 17: Defining What Neurosurgery Should Be and Looking Ahead to an Institute" (2013). Interview Chapters. 1553.
https://openworks.mdanderson.org/mchv_interviewchapters/1553
Conditions Governing Access
Open
