The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
What is your hometown?
Santiago, Chile
When did you join the University of Iowa faculty?
I joined the UI Faculty in 2002.
How/when did you become interested in science and medicine?
I became interested in medicine during grade school as I watched the paramedic Roy McCoy and his partner save lives in the TV series "Emergency" (mid 70’s).
Why did you pursue a career in orthopaedics?
I became interested in orthopaedics during medical school. I was inspired by the visit of two giants of orthopaedics who lectured in our medical school—Gavril Ilizarov and Dror Paley.
Ilizarov from Azerbaijan discovered distraction osteogenesis, a method of bone lengthening with an external fixator apparatus bearing his name. Dror Paley pioneered this method in the United States.
Is there a teacher or mentor who helped shaper you career?
I have had many mentors for whom my gratitude has no limits. Above all, I am particularly grateful with Stuart Weinstein, MD, who has been my mentor for the past eight years. He has not only become a great supporter and friend, but a constant source of inspiration. Besides the privilege of working with patients, the greatest honor in my career has been working with "Stu".
How or why did you choose the University of Iowa?
I was first attracted to the fellowship program. My family and I have found in Iowa a wonderful environment to live and grow up. The friendliness and great values of Iowans make this a very special place, and a very well-kept secret.
What professional opportunities or advantages does being a faculty member at an academic medical center provide?
First of all, I have never seen myself working outside an academic institution. We have all been blessed with skills and knowledge, and it is part of our mission to transmit these to the younger generations.
Second, I feel that the healthcare provided in an academic setting cannot be compared with any other. The interdisciplinary care and scrutiny of medical decisions by learners and trainees pushes us (faculty) to be better each day by incorporating new knowledge and techniques. We need to be permanently playing "ahead of the game".
What are your professional interests?
Adult spinal deformity (scoliosis), spine arthroplasty, and minimally-invasive spine surgery.
What led to your interest in adult spinal deformity?
Iowa has been a leader in long-term outcomes of different orthopaedic conditions, including scoliosis. I have had the unique opportunity to develop a practice based on large numbers of patients with this condition who have been treated and followed for many years The long-term effects of this disease, as well as those of different treatment modalities are rapidly increasing in an aging active population. This brings many challenges, and many opportunities to research and learn.
How does working in a collaborative and comprehensive academic medical center benefit your work?
Most of our patients present with complex pathologies that require close collaboration between different specialties. The rich interaction and networking available at Iowa creates a beneficial environment for our patients, as well as continuous source of learning for us.
What your outside interests?
Besides my passion for running, my family and I enjoy traveling and learning from different cultures. Our heritage stems from many different cultures and countries, and my wife and I are determined to expose our children to different cultures and ways of life.
What insight or philosophy guides you in your professional work?
Always remember to practice medicine humbly and with modesty. Working with patients is a privilege.
If you could change one thing about the world (or the world of medicine), what would it be?
Improve our ability to educate patients with information relevant to healthcare decision-making. Bringing evidence-based medicine information to patients in a comprehensive and understandable language will improve the dialogue between patients and physicians, and will help patients take the most suitable decisions for each individual.
What is the biggest change you've experienced in your field since you were a student?
Information technologies. Instant access to updated medical literature was very difficult before 1988. Today, I see most medical students bring up the most updated data accessible on portable devices or cellular telephones.
We would not have dreamed of this. When I started medical school, we had to go to the library and review the "Index Medicus" for references. Then, we would need to look for these references or request them from outside collections. Finally, we would go to the Xerox machine to print some copies to take home and study.
What piece of advice would you give to today’s students?
Take time to listen to your patients, always let patients have control of their healthcare decisions, and never forget to be humble.
What do you see as the future of medicine?
Probably the biggest change is already on its way—the electronic medical record. It will bring many improvements in the delivery of healthcare. I think that it will help standardize an improved level of quality.