We wanted to see inside the mind of a man who has dedicated his life to treating the brain. Walter Jean, MD, joined Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) as Chief of Neurosurgery in February. With nearly 20 years' experience in both open and endoscopic skull base surgery, he is known worldwide for his expertise in complex brain surgery. Jean answered five questions to give us a glimpse of what makes a world-renowned brain surgeon tick:
Q: What drew you to medicine and neurosurgery?
A: Neurosurgery is a field that attracts people who like tough challenges. It is emotionally taxing, because procedures have high stakes for the patients. It is technically challenging, because neurosurgeons work in a very small place inside the skull. But we have the ability make people who are really sick better and significantly improve each patient's experience. It is a rewarding field.
Q: What is extended reality and why do you use it for brain surgery?
A: Extended reality (XR) is a term that encompasses virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI). LVHN is the only health network in the state that uses XR for brain surgery. It acts as a GPS (Global Positioning System) for the procedure. Patients can place a headset over their eyes to be transported to a virtual replica of their own brain. This helps them gain a better understanding of their upcoming procedure. Surgeons use the technology to find the best approach for surgery and to have “X-ray” vision during surgery.
Just as everyone has moved from printed maps to GPS navigation – once surgeons recognize the benefits of XR technology, they never operate without it. Once I started working with XR, I wondered what else it could do. In my search, I came to discover a lot of applications that the inventors of the machine didn't consider.
Q: Why did you choose to come to the Lehigh Valley and what are you looking forward to offering patients here?
A: It is very easy for people in our community to believe that they have to travel to New York City or Philadelphia to get brain surgery, when in fact, having surgery away from home can create a lot of problems unrelated to the technical aspects of surgery itself. It can heavily influence recovery and returning to “normal” life. LVHN has the best nursing, equipment, and physicians for complex brain surgery and proximity to home makes it easier on the recovery process. People can return to normal life after brain surgery and the recovery is as important as the surgery itself.
LVHN already had a program that offered patients exceptional care. I want to offer patients the best neurosurgical care on the planet, and the “raw materials” to build a galaxy-class program are all here. Like a major-league baseball team, the program I want to build will need specialists to cover all the “bases.” The same specialists will also need the best equipment to make the most out of their special skills. I'm excited to bring all of that here to the Lehigh Valley.
Q: What is an aspect of your job that people may not know about?
A: Teaching the next generation of neurosurgeons: the skills they need to have, the facts they need to learn but most importantly, the decision-making process, so that their plans make sense. This applies to surgery as a technical exercise, as well as the overall treatment plans that influence the patient. This was the motivation of writing my textbook, “Skull base Surgery: Strategies.”
Q: What's your favorite place to travel?
A: My favorite place to travel for pleasure is the Maldives. It has the best spots for scuba diving. I've had the privilege of traveling the world for work as well. I lead an organization called Global Brain Surgery Initiative that conducts clinical and educational missions in Vietnam and Panama. Those are my favorite places to travel for work, because the missions are transformative not only for the hosts, but also for the visitors.
Learn more about Walter Jean, MD and Extended Reality.
Lehigh Valley Health Network | lvhn.org
This post is a sponsored collaboration between Lehigh Valley Health Network and Lehigh Valley Style.
