On my job
I'm an orthopaedic spine surgeon but my focus and practice are targeted toward the treatment of spinal problems. Our practice has a combination of specialists who deal with a wide range of operative and nonoperative care.
I've been in practice with the spine center for 18 years and we have been part of Bon Secours for the past three years. I truly enjoy what I do. I like the fact that it allows me to have direct and instant gratification from taking care of people. I used to work in banking and I didn't find it gratifying at all. In medicine you interact with someone who has a need and you are in charge of figuring out what is wrong with them and helping.
On wife's memory
My wife, a physician, died on Feb. 25, 2009. After graduating from college at 16, she came to the U.S. from India. Shortly thereafter, she earned a doctoral degree in biophysics from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and then earned a medical degree. We were a blended family. She had two children from a previous marriage and I had one. I loved her very much.
She had an aggressive form of breast cancer. Anyone who knew her spoke of how wonderful she was as a mother and a physician. She very much loved spending time being a mom and taking care of her kids. She was also a wonderful, caring and sensitive person who loved her patients. She cared deeply about people. Coming from a country of extreme poverty, she would often get saddened by the fact many Americans had a hard time obtaining medical care. When she got sick, she would often think about people dealing with a severe illness without financial or health care assistance.
We were very lucky to be able to get my wife the care she needed. When she got sick, we were more prepared than most to handle the difficulties of dealing with a severe illness. It scared her that people didn't have what we have. She had planned to volunteer her time if she had survived the cancer to assist those in need. I personally donated the money to Bon Secours for the mobile van in her honor. The mobile health care service offers medical assistance to those in communities who cannot access the medical system due to a lack of money or insurance. There are such a large number of people who are disabled, unemployed or underemployed. Bon Secours' mission is to care for the underprivileged and those in need. I thought providing money to help them purchase a van to assist them would be a great way to honor my wife.
On giving back
We all have to be thankful for what we have been given. We don't get these things without the help of others. The community I work in deserves it. I went into medicine to help others in need. The community I work in has provided me the capacity to earn a living, so its important I give back. I grew up in public school, went to college on student loans and scholarships. The community has given me so much that I would like to return the favor.
I work in hospitals maintained by donations and public monies. I have the resources to give back and that's what I want to do. I'm giving back what they allowed me to earn.
To whom much is given, much is expected. I have been very lucky. When my wife came to the States, she felt like she was given a tremendous quality of life for her and her family. That's why its important for us to continue to give back.
On Obamacare
My wife believes that people deserve basic medical care and it should be offered to all citizens. So yes, she would have been in favor of it. Given everything we have in this country, it seems like a small price to pay. Other industrialized countries take care of the health needs of their population. At the end of the day, I'm happy to donate money to a worthy cause.
Part of the money will go to a CT mammography unit, which is a modern CAT scan that will aid in the early detection of breast cancer. It will be dedicated to her. I think my wife would have been proud of it all including the successes of her three children, Emily a fourth-year student at the University of Virginia, who is going into medicine, Joshua, a freshman at Boston University who wants to join the Marine Corps, and Bryan, a junior at Norfolk Academy.
