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.
Work-Life Balance, Neurosurgery, Family Responsibilities, Time Management, High-Pressure Environment
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Kwadwo (Kojo) Sarpong
Resident Physician - Neurosurgery
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Emory University
Georgetown University School of Medicine, M.D.
Biology & Related Sciences
Healthcare, Medical & Wellness, Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking
Medical
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Immigrant, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Transfer Student, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Balancing work and family life as a neurosurgery resident is extremely challenging. Long hours and demanding work often conflict with family responsibilities, requiring careful prioritization and understanding from family members.
2. Maintaining peak performance under pressure is critical. Neurosurgeons must remain focused and excel in their duties despite personal challenges, highlighting the need for effective time management and stress management strategies.
3. The emotional toll of the job is significant. Missing important family events due to work commitments adds to the emotional burden, emphasizing the importance of a strong support system and work-life balance.
Transcript
What is your biggest challenge in your current role?
My biggest challenge right now is balancing my roles as a father, husband, and neurosurgery resident. It's very difficult to combine being a spouse, a parent, and a resident.
My children are very young. My daughter is turning five in a couple of days, on July 5th. I also have a 16-month-old son.
I leave the house around 4:30 or 5:00 AM and usually get back around 8:00 or 9:00 PM. By the time I return, they are already asleep. My wife takes on the majority of the home responsibilities.
It's critical to understand your role and your job. Being able to be present with your partner and also understand your responsibilities is challenging. After all of this, you still have to be excellent.
You have to be great in the operating room because you are dealing with people's lives. You cannot be distracted by things going on in your personal life. When you are at the hospital, the patient on the table is all that matters.
Combining all these things and dealing with the extra stuff is difficult. Many people in my role who are also fathers or are married can understand the frustration. It’s especially hard when you can't be there for small events, like your daughter's recital, because you have to take care of patients. This makes the job very hard and challenging for me.
Advizer Personal Links
Instagram: @i_am_nanakojo
LinkedIn: Kwadwo Sarpong