The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. This week, I had the pleasure of speaking to Sarbpaul and Amandeep Bhalla, two talented spine surgeons who happen to be father and son. The passage of knowledge from one generation of physicians to the next is slowly becoming a lost art. Once we leave training, establishing a practice can be trial by fire. Although we’ve come to the end of our formal education, our learning never stops.
I’ve been fortunate enough to learn from informal mentors throughout my own career — experienced surgeons who were gracious enough to share kernels of wisdom, discuss challenging cases, and offer words of encouragement. To have that mentor be your father is a special opportunity few get to experience.
(My dad spent many years as a hospital administrator, and I’m lucky to have him as a mentor on the business side of health care.)
Commons Clinic is redesigning care delivery to make the next generation of value-based specialty care a reality. I enjoyed learning how Sarbpaul’s 40-plus years of experience in healthcare shaped Amandeep’s journey and spurred him to partner with Commons. Lessons gained from Sarbpaul’s past shaped Amandeep’s desire to be part of an innovative future.
Key highlights from the conversation:
Working as a father-son team provided a unique opportunity for mentorship. In medicine, and especially surgery, we’ve lost some of the collaboration between older and younger generations.
Sarbpaul experienced significant changes in the health care system during his 41 years in practice. Not surprisingly, he highlighted insurance company challenges and the need to sharpen negotiating skills.
Sarbpaul’s sage words on staying humble and focusing on the ethical practice of medicine are well taken. Despite what's happening around us, treating patients remains a rewarding pursuit, especially when done with an eye toward high-value care.
Amandeep’s passion for patient-centered care and understanding the business aspects of medicine make him a natural fit for the Commons Clinic model. The future of health care belongs to entrepreneurial, innovative physicians like Amandeep.
I left the webinar inspired by the relationship between father and son. Sarbpaul and Amandeep’s dedication to the art and science of medicine is obvious and sets an example for us all.
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Generational Spine Surgeons: Like Father, Like Son