Bringing Empathy to Brain Surgery

During tough moments, sometimes the best thing you can do is hold space.

Dr. Charuta Furey has spent her entire career doing just that. As a trailblazing resident neurosurgeon at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona, she leads patients and families through their darkest times with empathy and understanding.

Throughout this discussion, she shares how she follows her clinical intuition, which has helped her navigate the challenges of balancing a demanding career with motherhood.

In this episode, you'll discover the following:

Dr. Furey's personal story of what drew her to neurosurgery and how her mother's battle with brain cancer shaped her career.
The significance of empathy in patient care and how Dr. Furey navigates tough conversations with patients and their families.
Strategies for balancing a demanding career with family life, including Dr. Furey's tips on being present and mindful in both roles.
Dr. Furey's advice for patients recovering from surgery, particularly the importance of pre-surgery preparation.
How cultivating gratitude and self-compassion helps Dr Furey remain grounded.

Timestamps:

0:00 – 1:26: Introduction

1:28 – 9:08: Journey to Neurosurgery and Empathy

9:09 – 13:15: Navigating Tough Conversations

13:16 – 17:43: Navigating the Demands of Career and Motherhood

17:53 – 21:04: Pre-surgery Preparation

21:05 – 24:35: Handling Neurosurgery Challenges

25:40 – 34:49: Navigating Patient Care and Patient Empowerment

36:23 – 40:47: Support Systems

40:48 – 41:57: Describing Work to Children

42:08 – 43:59: Navigating Patient Recovery

44:41 – 43:24: Cultivating Gratitude and Self-Compassion