Our Interview With Stephen E. Doran, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center

Q. Do you consider your job to be adventurous? What aspects make your job adventurous?

A. I think that it is very adventurous! The first time that I saw brain surgery I was a bit awe struck about it. The precision and the complexity about it can be very overwhelming. On one hand, you can change someone's life in a positive way forever. However, it can be a "heart-breaking thing" also. One surgery lasted 23 hours! It can be frustrating when I thought that everything has gone well, and things don't turn out that way.

Q. Does everybody's brain look the same?

A. Oh no! Not at all. (Maybe from a layperson's point of view) There are certain things that remain constant to a certain degree, the anatomy differs from person to person.

Q. Are you often scared when performing a surgery? If so, how do you overcome this and concentrate on your work?

A. Sometimes it is scary. In some surgeries either you make the wrong move or just by chance you can have a disaster occur in the operating room! The way to overcome is to be engrossed in what you are doing and have total concentration. At the beginning of most surgeries a small incision is all that is needed. As time progresses, things get even harder and more difficult. But you also start to concentrate more so it isn't as scary.

Q. What part of the brain do you think is really strong for a neurosurgeon?

A. Well, both. You have to think analytically and you also have creativity. Having a sense of three-dimensional view is very important during surgery.

Q. If you could describe your job in one word, what would that word be?

A. It is AWESOME in the sense of feeling awe-of privilege and honor.

Q. What is the worst part of your job? .

A. I don't like being away from my family. Also, when you operate on a person whose problem is not that bad and after surgery they come out worse.

Q. Do your hours often make it hard for you to do things with your family and friends? If so, does this make you sometimes wish that you hadn't become a doctor because of all that you are missing out on?

A. No, I don't feel like I am missing out on everything. I feel like there were times when I wish that I had more time. But if I ever felt like I was missing out completely, I would quit. If I felt that my career was totally dominating I would quit.

Q. Is it possible for a person of average intelligence to become a neurosurgeon?

A. I think that the most important thing in becoming a neurosurgeon or any other physician is determination . I guess being able to focus on what you want-- I don't think that you have to have pure intelligence to become a neurosurgeon.

Q. What role does technology play in neurosurgery?

A. Well, within neurosurgery it is becoming increasingly important. It has always been a technically driven field but even more so computers are now part of the operating room.

Q. Do you ever feel like you are playing "god" since you are working with the brain? What is it like to have that kind of power?

A. Well, I don't really feel like I am playing god. I do feel like there is a heavy burden of responsibility sometimes. I feel very privileged to have that. I want to strive to meet the high expectations.

This page was created by Erin Stinson and was last modified on August 15, 1996. Picture property of Steve Doran and has not been modified.