The Neuro Experience
Episode: The Power of Purpose, Discipline, and Determination
Guest: Dr. Sheri Dewan | Host: Louisa Nicola
Date: April 2, 2024
Episode Overview
This episode dives deep into the world of neurosurgery with Dr. Sheri Dewan, one of only 219 board-certified female neurosurgeons in the U.S. Louisa and Sheri discuss Dr. Dewan’s new book, Cutting a Path, and the themes that have defined her career: purpose, discipline, and determination. They explore the reality of neurosurgical practice, groundbreaking medical technology, work-life balance as a woman in a male-dominated field, and what drives Sheri’s relentless pursuit of excellence, both personally and professionally.
Key Discussion Points
1. Dr. Sheri Dewan’s Unusual Path to Neurosurgery
- Background: Dr. Dewan reflects on her rare position as a woman neurosurgeon (only 219 in the U.S.), her decade-long journey, training at Brown, and experiences in both private practice and major hospital systems. She wanted to share her multifaceted journey—as a surgeon, mother, and wife—in her book.
- Quote:
“I really wanted to write about my experience in the field... how you can be all of those things and you can be multifaceted.” — Dr. Dewan [01:17] - Motivation: Repeated curiosity from others ("Why neurosurgery?"; "How do you manage family and work?") inspired her to document and share her story.
2. Documenting Female Neurosurgeons’ Experiences
- Sheri started documenting her journey via voice notes, particularly unique moments like performing a craniotomy while experiencing morning sickness.
- Anecdote: She recalls “willing away nausea” in order to focus on surgery for her patient.
“I almost willed away the nausea. It's kind of this mind-body... connection.” — Dr. Dewan [03:53]
3. The Power and Practice of Discipline
- Morning Routines & Goal Setting: Discipline is waking up early, sticking to routines, and constantly setting concrete goals in both professional and personal life.
- Residency Practice: Every year, residents wrote goal sheets—a habit she continues with her family.
- Quote:
“Disciple to me is the goal-directed behaviors... it’s in your mind making the task at hand about the patient. It’s not about you the minute you get into the operating room.” — Dr. Dewan [14:41] - Relevance: Discipline ensures performance under high stakes, which, in neurosurgery, can mean the difference between life and death.
4. Neurosurgery, Neuroendocrinology, and Cutting-edge Technology
- Pituitary Tumors: Sheri’s subspecialty is neuroendocrinology, particularly pituitary tumor surgery.
- Tech Innovation: Published a key study on intraoperative MRI—allowing surgeons to scan patients mid-operation to ensure complete tumor resection.
- Quote:
“Utilizing the intraoperative MRI is really key... you can see, ‘Okay, there’s another piece that’s back there...’ Really groundbreaking work.” — Dr. Dewan [19:36–20:39] - Patient Outcomes: With this technology, tumor removal can be maximized while patients remain under anesthesia.
5. Frontlines of Trauma and the Emotional Toll
- Powerful Story: Sheri tells of removing glass from a trauma victim’s brain, balancing medical action with emotional distancing.
- Quote:
“You kind of have to, in your mind, become like a Zen-like creature... and just say, this is the situation, we're going to handle it.” — Dr. Dewan [28:14] - Burnout Management: Essential to “put a pin in it” emotionally in the moment, then later process traumatic events—avoiding burnout and maintaining well-being.
6. The Roots of Purpose: Family and Early Inspiration
- Personal Catalyst: Sheri’s mother suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm in her forties, surviving life-changing surgery. The skill and compassion of the treating neurosurgeon inspired Sheri’s career path.
- Quote:
“Meeting him, just being so inspired by his talent and... ability to help a complete stranger... altered my life.” — Dr. Dewan [32:07–33:00] - Facing Naysayers: Despite extensive discouragement (e.g., “you’ll never get married or have kids as a neurosurgeon”), Sheri points to support from family and her drive to blaze a trail for future women in medicine.
7. Balancing Ambition and Family Support
- Support Network: Sheri credits her husband—a part-time scientist—with supporting the demanding lifestyle.
“Finding your person that’s going to support you is really challenging... if I get a call from the hospital that I need to go, we go. And it’s not even a question.” — Dr. Dewan [35:34–36:24]
8. The Depth of Purpose and Grit in Medicine
- Defining Purpose: Purpose is more than persistence; it’s the deep, personal motivation fueling resilience through exhaustion, setbacks, or loss.
- Global Perspective: As her skillset grew, Sheri’s purpose evolved—now including global health and training surgeons in South India, aiming for broader change.
- Quote:
“My purpose has really broadened... but the goal is the same: helping people through disease.” — Dr. Dewan [39:15]
9. The Devastation of Organic Brain Disease
- Alzheimer’s and Cognitive Decline: They reflect on how diseases like Alzheimer’s rob people of identity, affecting patients and families at a fundamental level.
- Quote:
“Alzheimer's is just devastating... diseases of the brain go to the core of who you are as a person.” — Dr. Dewan [42:46]
10. Insights from the Operating Room: Brain Health and Aging
- Vascular Changes: Sheri describes literal differences in old vs. young brains—atrophy, fragile vessels, and the impact of comorbidities.
- Quote:
“Literally, when you stop moving your body... that’s when a lot of these diseases will creep in.” — Dr. Dewan [46:53]
11. COVID-19’s Professional and Personal Impact
- Hospital as War Zone: During peak COVID, Sheri’s hospital converted to ICU space, with surgeries canceled and unprecedented patient loss.
- Trauma: She processed this experience similarly to other trauma—focusing on the task, then later emotionally decompressing.
- Quote:
“I had never seen people dying at that rate before... you’re dealing with it in the moment, and then you have to process it afterwards.” — Dr. Dewan [47:52–49:34]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Women in Neurosurgery:
“There's 219 board-certified women neurosurgeons in the United States. So I feel very proud and very lucky to be a part of that.” — Dr. Dewan [01:09] -
On Mind–Body Connection in Surgery:
“I thought to myself, oh, no, I can't scrub out... I need to will away the nausea.” — Dr. Dewan [03:54] -
On Discipline:
“It’s waking up at 5am... do the workouts and do the meditation and be present in your life as a wife, as a mother, as a surgeon, as a caregiver.” — Dr. Dewan [12:19] -
On Finding a Supportive Partner:
“Ambitious people have two options. Marry a supportive partner who knows and understands exactly what they're signing up for, or number two, don't get married at all.” — Louisa Nicola [34:51] -
On Neurosurgery as Purpose:
“If Dr. Johnson had thrown in the towel, if he had given up, that would have directly affected me... look at the butterfly effect of that decision.” — Dr. Dewan [38:39] -
On Importance of Movement for Brain Health:
“Moving is like the secret of life, you know?” — Dr. Dewan [47:22]
Key Timestamps
- 00:01–04:50: Sheri’s introduction, career overview, and documenting her journey
- 12:19–16:05: Exploring discipline in life and the operating room
- 16:05–19:36: Neuroendocrinology and pituitary surgery; intraoperative MRI in action
- 26:20–29:56: Trauma case: removing glass from a patient’s brain; handling emotional toll
- 30:51–34:51: Sheri’s mother’s aneurysm—her inspiration and finding her purpose
- 42:46–46:53: Organic brain disease, impact on identity, and the importance of prevention/movement
- 47:38–50:32: COVID-19’s impact on medical practice and hospital logistics
- 50:45–52:30: Favorite brain region (pituitary); current and future projects, global health initiative
Final Thoughts
Dr. Sheri Dewan embodies the power of purpose, discipline, and determination—marrying cutting-edge medicine with genuine humanity. Her experiences underscore the resilience needed for surgical excellence, the evolving role of women in elite medicine, and the ever-present need for self-care and purpose. Louisa and Sheri’s spirited conversation provides rare insight into neurosurgery’s trials, triumphs, and future, leaving listeners inspired to pursue their own paths with boldness.
Links:
- Dr. Sheri Dewan’s book: Cutting a Path
- Follow Louisa Nicola on Instagram: @louisanicola_
- For upcoming panels, events, and book tours, see the podcast or Dr. Dewan’s official channels.