Optimal neuro|spine

Maxwell Boakye, MD MPH

I am Dr. Max Boakye, Neurosurgeon, and Neuroscientist, currently Professor of Neurosurgery, Chief of Spinal Neurosurgery, Director of Quality Improvement, and Clinical Director of the Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Center. I interview leading neuroscientists, health administrators, neurosurgeons, educators, neuro and spine health care experts, and patients in this show. How do we optimize our brain and spine health, prevent aging brain and memory deterioration? What to do when something goes wrong, how best to heal and recover injured brain and back? How do we optimize our inpatient neuro|spine care in hospitals and provide more value-based care- prevent errors, improve quality, and improve patient satisfaction? How do we teach better and better train doctors? Which hospitals offer the best neuro and spine care: why and how? We present the most innovative emerging research that will impact neuro|spine care. Join us as we delve one on one and have insightful conversations with exciting researchers and experts, voices who have something to teach, enlighten and inspire us about Optimal neuro|spine.

  • 47 minutes 49 seconds
    Episode 27: Becoming a Clinician Scientist in Neurosurgery. A Conversation with Dr. Robert Starke

    There is often a gap between what happens in the laboratory and what happens with patients in clinical practice. Yet both experiences are required to advance patient outcomes. This is why we need more doctors like Robert Starke. Dr. Starke is a clinician scientist at the University of Miami with over 700 operations and just as many academic publications in his young career. Join me as I sit down with Dr. Starke to discuss the secrets to his extraordinary success, the grant writing process, and future pathways for the development of clinician scientists in the field of neurosurgery.

    You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

    • Getting to know Dr. Starke, his clinical practice, and his research [0:36]
    • Dr. Starke’s evolution into a productive clinician scientist and the challenges of pursuing both basic and clinical science [4:34]
    • Dr. Starke’s current research setup and how he chose his area of focus [9:38]
    • How Dr. Starke innovates, where his funding comes from, and the story of his first major grant [16:59]
    • Choosing a faculty position that allows you to thrive and how to build a balanced life [24:58]
    • Dr. Starke’s paper writing process and the publications he’s most proud of [29:18]
    • The role mentors have played in Dr. Starke’s career and what he would do differently [32:15]
    • The importance of training clinician scientists and future pathways for development [37:05]
    • Dr. Starke’s three secrets to an extraordinary neurosurgery career and his advice to struggling clinician scientists [40:12]
    • The magic wand question [44:33]

    Connect with Dr. Robert Starke

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    17 September 2022, 1:00 am
  • 38 minutes 30 seconds
    Episode 26: Developing Evidence for Optimal Spine Surgery. A Conversation with Dr. Zoher Ghogawala

    In the quest to optimize spine surgery outcomes, we need better information and better research. This means better clinical trials and more funding. Join me, as I sit down with Dr. Zoher Ghogawala to discuss his thoughts on clinical trial design, developing the evidence for spine surgery, improving patient outcomes, and the results of his most recent research.

    You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

    • Getting to know Dr. Ghogawala, his clinical practice, and his research [0:37]
    • Discussing Dr. Ghogawala’s clinical trials on spondylolisthesis and cervical spondylotic myelopathy [4:07]
    • Dr. Ghogawala’s work on improving clinical trial design [15:15]
    • Exploring roadblocks to PCORI (Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute) funding [24:33]
    • The most important things learned from the N2QOD [28:12]
    • Improving spine surgery outcomes [33:13]
    • What Dr. Ghogawala wish he knew 15 years ago and the magic wand question [34:46]

    Resources & People Mentioned

    Connect with Dr. Zoher Ghogawala

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    15 July 2022, 4:00 am
  • 59 minutes 48 seconds
    Episode 25: The Evolution and Optimization of Spine Surgery. A Conversation with Dr. Edward Benzel

    There are few names as recognizable as Dr. Edward Benzel in the field of spine surgery. He quite literally wrote the book on it. On this episode, I have the distinct privilege of sitting down with Dr. Benzel to discuss a myriad of topics including his experiences in spine surgery and the lessons he’s learned, his evolution as a spine surgeon, safety in spine surgery, and his thoughts on where the field is headed next.

    You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

    • Getting to know Dr. Benzel and his current clinical practice [0:37]
    • How to evolve as a spine surgeon [5:59]
    • Improving your decision-making skills [11:38]
    • How Dr. Benzel stays productive and relevant [14:48]
    • Cognitive versus psychomotor development and advice for surgeons training the next generation [17:12]
    • How to best minimize complications and the most common errors made by surgeons [20:18]
    • Dr. Benzel’s seven cardinal sins for a spine surgeon [23:19]
    • Addressing burnout in spine surgeons [25:44]
    • Improvements in biomechanical knowledge from surgeons in training [28:14]
    • What surprises Dr. Benzel the most about the evolution of spine surgery and the new technologies he is most excited about [31:19]
    • Dr. Benzel’s take on current trends in spine surgery [34:55]
    • Exploring the prevention and treatment of chronic back pain [37:56]
    • The role mental health plays in the treatment of severe stenosis and spondylolisthesis [40:32]
    • How Dr. Benzel treats cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) [41:37]
    • Getting specific about laminoplasty [48:04]
    • Dr. Benzel answers rapid-fire spine surgery questions and three things hospitals with spine programs can do to optimize their outcomes [50:06]
    • Comparing global spine surgery rates and eliminating unnecessary operations [54:59]
    • The magic wand question [56:41]

    Connect with Dr. Edward Benzel

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    1 July 2022, 4:00 am
  • 44 minutes 34 seconds
    Episode 24: Traumatic Brain Injury. A Conversation with Dr. Dalton Dietrich

    How do we push the ball forward for the research and treatment of traumatic brain injury and other neurological diseases? To answer that question, my guest Dr. Dalton Dietrich will dive into everything he and his team are doing at the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. Join us as we discuss his work with inflammasomes, secrets for research success, and the most exciting advances in the field of TBI.

    You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

    • Dr. Dietrich discusses his research, how he got involved in neurotrauma and some of his career highlights [3:20]
    • Diving into the logistics of Dr. Dietrich’s world-renowned neurotrauma research center [5:50]
    • Dr. Dietrich's advice to up-and-coming neuroscience institutes [12:11]
    • Advancing scientific care through fundraising [13:45]
    • The secret of scientific innovation and success [16:40]
    • The most exciting recent advances in traumatic brain injury treatments or research [18:53]
    • Inflammasomes and their role in traumatic brain injury [25:51]
    • The impact COVID has on people living with TBI [32:32]
    • TBI and the development of Alzheimer's [35:48]
    • Dr. Dietrich looks 30 years back and 30 years forward [38:16]
    • The magic wand question [42:17] 

    Connect with Dr. Dalton Dietrich

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    15 June 2022, 4:00 am
  • 46 minutes 33 seconds
    Episode 23: Optimizing Care for Spinal Cord Injury. A Conversation with Dr. Steven Kirshblum


    How does greater access to specialized care optimize the treatment of spinal cord injuries? On this episode, Dr. Steven Kirshblum dives into the differences between general and specialized rehabilitation for SCI patients, why specialized care is critical for better patient outcomes, and the challenges of integrating specialized care for spinal cord injuries into the medical system.

    You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

    • Advancements and challenges in the treatment of spinal cord injury [3:14]
    • Are rehabilitation centers certified to treat spinal cord injuries? [6:04]
    • Why do specialist rehabs get better results? [8:45]
    • Examining racial and ethnic disparities in spinal cord injury care [12:30]
    • The integration of spinal cord injury care into the medical system [14:24]
    • Exploring trends in spinal cord injury care [16:55]
    • Dr. Kirshblum’s take on polypharmacy in SCI care [19:17]
    • Discussing natural recovery after traumatic spinal cord injury [21:40]
    • Causes of mortality in SCI patients [27:10]
    • Why steroid treatments have failed to translate to human trials [31:39]
    • Developing resilience in SCI patients [34:18]
    • Managing bladder issues in SCI care [36:41]
    • Neuromodulation as an FDA approved treatment for spinal cord injury [39:00]
    • Dr. Kirshblum answers the magic wand question [43:27]

    Resources & People Mentioned

    Connect with Dr. Steven Kirshblum

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    1 June 2022, 7:00 am
  • 14 minutes 30 seconds
    Episode 22: Restoring Ambulation after Paraplegia. A Conversation with Drs. Gregoire Courtine and Jocelyne Bloch

    Has the future of spinal cord injury treatment arrived? On this episode, I sit down with Drs. Gregoire Courtine and Jocelyne Bloch to discuss their recently published and highly publicized paper on restoring motor function after paralysis. They briefly dive into their protocol, their approach to Epi-Stim, and their answer to the magic wand question.

    You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

    • A brief overview of the recent paper published by Drs. Courtine and Bloch [2:43]
    • How Drs. Courtine and Bloch designed their protocol to strengthen residual pathways [5:31] 
    • What Dr. Courtine wished he knew 20 years ago [7:46]
    • Dr. Bloch’s training and evolution as a neurosurgeon [8:48]
    • Dr. Courtine breaks down his approach to Epi-Stim [10:36]
    • Drs. Courtine and Bloch answer the magic wand question [12:27]

    Resources & People Mentioned

    Connect with Drs. Gregoire Courtine and Jocelyne Bloch

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    1 May 2022, 7:00 am
  • 38 minutes 40 seconds
    Episode 21: The American Spine Registry. A Conversation with Dr. Steven Glassman

    How do we optimize spinal surgery outcomes? Dr. Steven Glassman believes better data is the answer! On this episode, we discuss the American Spine Registry, what it is, what it's currently being used for, and its potential to provide better evidence for spine surgery, improve patient outcomes, and establish universal best practices.

    You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

    • Getting to know Dr. Glassman, his clinical practice, and why he chose spine research [0:59]
    • Exploring the nature and necessity of registries [3:56]
    • What is the American Spine Registry, what areas of spine surgery are represented by it, and how long has it been in place? [6:27]
    • What areas of spine surgery are represented by the ASR? [13:24]
    • The most surprising findings from studies based off of the Quality Outcomes Database [18:08] 
    • Predicting the future evolution of the ASR [21:35]
    • Examining ASR logistics and how hospitals can join the registry [25:10]
    • How the ASR can bring better clarity to spine surgery outcomes [28:28]
    • Using the ASR to develop predictive models and the role imaging plays with the registry [30:50]
    • Exciting future studies and the magic wand question [35:15]

    Resources & People Mentioned

    Connect with Dr. Steven Glassman

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    1 May 2022, 4:00 am
  • 39 minutes 53 seconds
    Episode 20: Unaging - Memory, Aging, and Alzheimer’s. A Conversation with Dr. Robert Friedland


    Have you ever misplaced your keys or forgotten a random fact and worried that you had a neurodegenerative disease? What is the difference between Alzheimer’s and simply getting old? On this episode, I sit down with memory and aging expert, Dr. Robert Friedland, to discuss his research, how Alzheimer’s is diagnosed, and habits you can start right now to help protect your brain and keep it healthy.

    You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

    • Dr. Friedland’s current clinical practice and research focus [3:25]
    • The logistics of Dr. Friedland’s research [9:16]
    • Diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease and the current status of treatment options [11:02] 
    • Aging versus Alzheimer’s and the four factors that impact how you age [18:57]
    • Why Dr. Friedland chose memory as his medical focus [30:47]
    • Dr. Friedland’s most surprising discoveries and the magic wand question [34:26]

    Connect with Dr. Robert Friedland

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    15 April 2022, 7:00 am
  • 50 minutes 41 seconds
    Episode 19: Optimizing the Neurosurgery Residency and Training Experience From a Chief Resident’s Perspective. A Conversation With Dr. Aurora Cruz

    Training to become a neurosurgeon is both incredibly rewarding and incredibly difficult. But is it more difficult than it needs to be and how can we make the experience better? On this episode, I’m pleased to speak with University of Louisville chief resident Dr. Aurora Cruz about neurosurgical training, residency, leadership, burnout, and her advice for prospective neurosurgery residents. 

    You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

    • A day in the life of a modern neurosurgery resident [3:56]
    • How COVID has affected the neurosurgery training experience [5:24]
    • The unexpected challenges of neurosurgery residency [7:18]
    • Dr. Cruz’s advice for residents with spouses and children [9:22]
    • Advice for those considering studying neurosurgery [12:18]
    • Pursuing professional goals in the field of neurosurgery [13:57]
    • Fighting burnout and improving resident wellness [21:02]
    • The biggest impediments to learning neurosurgery and the acquisition of appropriate psychomotor skills [26:38]
    • Mentorship in neurosurgery residency [29:27]
    • Describing the modern neurosurgery residency experience [32:48]
    • Training neurosurgery residents to become better leaders [39:52]
    • Book recommendations from Dr. Cruz [42:48]
    • Advice for struggling residents [44:10]
    • Dr. Cruz answers the magic wand question [46:32]

    Resources & People Mentioned

    Connect with Dr. Aurora Cruz

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    1 April 2022, 4:00 am
  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    Episode 18: Insights From a Lifetime of Training Residents and Neurosurgical Research. A Conversation with Dr. Haring Nauta

    Few people have as long or as distinguished a career as Dr. Haring Nauta. On this episode, we discuss his observations about neurosurgical residency, neurosurgical training, and how to improve the quality of that experience. We also dive into his exciting work using the punctate myelotomy procedure to treat pain and current research topics.

    You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

    • Diving into the current practice of Dr. Nauta [3:02]
    • What is a punctate midline myelotomy and how does it help neurosurgical pain? [10:03]
    • The logistics of a punctate myelotomy [26:00]
    • Dr. Nauta’s thoughts on the evolution of neurosurgical training [32:11]
    • Defining leadership and the qualities that make a good chief resident [38:48]
    • Fighting the resident burnout epidemic and the role of emotional intelligence [41:42]
    • Looking back at Dr. Nauta’s incredible career [46:05]
    • Dr. Nauta’s advice for young neurosurgeons striving for excellence [49:39] 
    • Dr. Nauta answers the magic wand question [55:30]

    Connect with Dr. Haring Nauta

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    15 March 2022, 4:00 am
  • 35 minutes 54 seconds
    Episode 17: When Cancer Spreads to the Spine. A Conversation with Dr. Mark Bilsky


    One of oncology’s greatest challenges in treating cancer is when it spreads to a different part of the body. When cancer spreads to the spine, it presents unique challenges for doctors creating a successful treatment plan. On this episode, I have the pleasure of interviewing the chief of Oncology at Sloan Kettering, and one of my mentors, Dr. Mark Bilsky. We’ll discuss the logistics of his practice, surgical and non-surgical treatment strategies, as well as recent advances in the field of spinal oncology.

    You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

    • Getting to know Dr. Mark Bilsky and his practice [0:56]
    • Why Dr. Bilsky decided to focus on spinal oncology [4:18]
    • The epidemiology of spinal cancer, the role surgery plays in treatment, and how surgical techniques and equipment have changed over time [6:45]
    • How Dr. Bilsky evaluates spinal metastases at his center and the logistics of his practice [18:03]
    • Examining advances in radiosurgery and the systems Dr. Bilsky uses at Sloan Kettering [23:51]
    • Treating instability in spinal cancer patients [25:48]
    • Rapid-fire updates on modeling management for various types of tumors [28:42]
    • The magic wand question [33:19]

    Connect with Dr. Mark Bilsky

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    1 March 2022, 5:00 am
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