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Kwadwo, Resident Physician - Neurosurgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center: Advize Career Interview
A journey from hospital housekeeping to a neurosurgery residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, this inspiring career path began with a passion for science ignited by early exposure to medicine.
Early research experiences in neuroscience solidified a commitment to neurosurgery, a demanding field requiring significant self-motivation, strong communication skills, and relentless hard work.
The daily routine includes early mornings, extensive operating room time, and a constant balance between patient care and surgical procedures.
Despite the challenges of balancing a demanding career with family life, the immediate gratification of improving patients' lives and connecting with individuals from all walks of life makes the career incredibly fulfilling.
Early research engagement, mentorship, perseverance, and humility are crucial for success, along with a realistic understanding of the immense workload and financial considerations.
A first-generation college student and African American in a predominantly white field, this individual's experience highlights systemic barriers while inspiring with their resilience and commitment to excellence.
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Job Title
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Undergrad
Grad Programs
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Kwadwo (Kojo) Sarpong
Resident Physician - Neurosurgery
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Emory University
Georgetown University School of Medicine, M.D.
Biology & Related Sciences
Healthcare
Medical
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Immigrant, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Transfer Student, First Generation College Student
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Career Path Of A Neurosurgery Resident At Vanderbilt Medical Center
Kwadwo's career path began with early exposure to medicine through "housekeeping in a hospital," motivating a journey from community college chemistry and research to Emory University's neuroscience program. Research experiences in axon regeneration and epilepsy solidified Kwadwo's interest in neurosurgery, culminating in their current residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Main Responsibilities Of A Neurosurgery Resident At Vanderbilt Medical Center
As a neurosurgery resident at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, a typical day begins around 5:00 AM with patient rounds and reporting to senior residents, followed by operating room duties assigned by service ("spine, tumor, functional, or cerebrovascular"). The day involves a constant balance between operating and checking on patients, relying on nurse practitioners and physician assistants for floor coverage while in the OR, before concluding with a final patient review around 6:00-7:00 PM.
A Day In The Life Of A Neurosurgery Resident At Vanderbilt University Medical Center
A day for a neurosurgery resident at Vanderbilt University Medical Center involves a mix of early morning patient rounds and extensive operating room time, with the balance shifting as experience grows. Early on, the focus is mastering surgical fundamentals like "how do we drip a patient? How do we position a patient?", while senior residents handle more complex procedures; strong communication with other medical teams is also a crucial aspect of the job.
Most Important Skills for a Neurosurgery Resident at Vanderbilt Medical Center
To succeed as a neurosurgeon requires "hard work," academic and clinical motivation, and excellent communication skills, given the demanding nature of the field and the serious conditions patients present with. The long training period and the need for continuous learning due to "so many things still we don't know about the brain" are also crucial considerations.
Favorite Parts Of Being A Neurosurgery Resident At Vanderbilt Medical Center
Kwadwo, a Neurosurgery Resident Physician, finds the most rewarding aspect of the role is the "instant gratification" of seeing patients' lives dramatically improve after intervention; for example, observing patients regain motor function after brain bleed surgery or symptom resolution after tumor removal makes the career incredibly fulfilling.
Challenges Of A Neurosurgery Resident At Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Kwadwo's biggest challenge as a neurosurgery resident is balancing the demanding work schedule—"I leave the house like probably around 4:30 or 5:00 AM and then you get back on average, like let's say 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM"—with the responsibilities of being a husband and father of two young children, making it difficult to be present for important family moments and creating significant personal and professional strain.
Favorite Parts Of Working In Neurosurgery As A Resident Physician
Kwadwo, a neurosurgery resident, finds the most rewarding aspect of the profession to be "getting to meet and talk to patients from all walks of life," learning their stories and motivations. This connection extends beyond the medical, as evidenced by a patient gifting Kwadwo Girl Scout cookies after hearing their inspiring journey from "housekeeping to this point."
What Type Of Person Thrives In Neurosurgery, According To A Resident Physician At Vanderbilt
Success in neurosurgery, according to Kwadwo, hinges on "self-motivation and self-curiosity," actively seeking knowledge and exhibiting humility to learn from others; the ability to acknowledge "what you know and what you don't know" is crucial for thriving in this demanding field.
What a Neurosurgery Resident at Vanderbilt Medical Center Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Medicine Industry
Kwadwo, a neurosurgery resident, wishes they had understood the immense workload and self-motivation required, stating "it's a lot of work," and the significant financial disparity between the hours worked and compensation, especially considering the challenges of balancing family life with such a demanding career. The rewarding nature of the job ultimately makes it worthwhile, but a more realistic understanding of its demands beforehand would have been beneficial.
Entry-Level Research For Aspiring Neurosurgeons
Early exposure to the field is key, with research opportunities readily available even in a first-year college student's first year, as Kwadwo, a neurosurgery resident, notes that "as early as your first year, you could definitely get into some more research stuff". Shadowing neurosurgeons is also encouraged, offering a "clear glimpse of what we do every day," providing invaluable insight into the career path.
Significant Career Lesson From A Neurosurgery Resident At Vanderbilt
Kwadwo, a neurosurgery resident, attributes much of career success to "humility, integrity, and being professional," treating everyone with respect, regardless of their position—a perspective shaped by prior experience in manual labor roles such as housekeeping. This approach fosters positive relationships, as evidenced by Kwadwo's observation that "everyone in the hospital is always happy to see me."
College Experiences That Helped A Neurosurgery Resident At Vanderbilt Medical Center Succeed
To achieve success in neurosurgery, Kwadwo emphasizes the importance of early research engagement, actively seeking out mentors who evolve into sponsors—"a sponsor would take it a step further by actually making calls or reaching out to people on your behalf"—and cultivating perseverance through inevitable failures; "failure is gonna come at some point, but your ability to get back up definitely defines who you are."
How Identity Has Influenced a Neurosurgery Resident at Vanderbilt Medical Center's Career
Kwadwo's journey as a first-generation college student and African American neurosurgery resident at Vanderbilt is marked by unique challenges, including being "the only black person in the entire department," leading to a hyper-scrutinized experience and the difficulty of finding relatable mentors. This, coupled with the low representation of African Americans in neurosurgery—a field where "the highest number of African Americans who have made it into neurosurgery as first-year interns have been 12"—highlights the systemic barriers and isolating nature of a predominantly white field.
Advizer Personal Links
Instagram: @i_am_nanakojo
LinkedIn: Kwadwo Sarpong
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