This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
A conversation with Daniel Refai, MD
In this issue, Spine Surgery Today poses five questions to Daniel Refai, MD, assistant professor of neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery at Emory Orthopaedics & Spine Center in Atlanta. He is the director of spinal oncology at the Emory Spine Center and focuses his practice on intradural and extradural spinal tumors and metastatic and primary tumors of the spine. He directs the stereotactic radiosurgery division of the Emory Spine Center.
Dr. Refai went to medical school at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine in Chicago and completed his neurosurgical residency at Washington University in St. Louis. He also worked as a specialist registrar in neurosurgery at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin and completed a combined orthopedic and neurosurgery spine fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic. He started practicing at Emory Orthopaedic and Spine Center in 2010, and is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, and the North American Spine Society. Refai is an Editorial Board member for Spine Surgery Today.
Spine Surgery Today: Who has had the greatest influence in your career?
Daniel Refai
Daniel Refai, MD: I began my interest in medicine and specifically, surgery, when I was 16 years old. Tom Mahendra, MD, an affable cardiac surgeon, took me under his wings. I volunteered in a local emergency room on the weekends during high school. One day, I was fortunate to meet him while he consulted on a patient. I asked his permission to follow him around. He agreed and I spent the next three summers with him in the operating room and in clinic. I shadowed him on rounds and we have maintained our friendship ever since. He motivated me to become a surgeon and to pursue my aspirations.
Spine Surgery Today: What was the defining moment that led you to your field?
Refai: My interest in neurosurgery began during my third year of medical school. I was fortunate enough to elect neurosurgery as a surgical rotation. My first case was a functional hemispherotomy for intractable seizures. I spent the entire night before reading about the case and spent about 6 hours the next day watching the attending and resident complete the case. I was hooked at that point. I was amazed with the complexity of the anatomy and how you could disconnect the brain from one side to another.
Spine Surgery Today: What areas of research in spine surgery most interests you right now?
Refai: I am interested in clinical outcomes research and specifically cost analysis of spine surgery. I am currently working on a few projects on the cost analysis of different surgical paradigms for spine oncology.
Spine Surgery Today: What do you enjoy doing to relax?
Refai: I enjoy spending time with my family outside of the hospital. I also enjoy running and exercising. I have two daughters, ages 4 years and 2 years.
Spine Surgery Today: What are your hobbies outside of practicing medicine?
Refai: My hobby outside of clinical practice is medical innovation. I am dedicated to improving the quality of patient care with improved technology and medical implants.
For more information:
Disclosure: Refai has no relevant disclosures with respect to this article.