Beyond the OR: Medicine, Mentorship, and Making a Difference | Dr. Kushagra Verma, MD

Dr. Kushagra Verma's journey reminds us that finding your calling often happens through unexpected rotations and powerful mentorships rather than childhood dreams.What makes his approach to spine surgery truly distinctive is the blend of technical excellence with deep humanity. Dr. Verma describes his complex surgical work as an intricate three-dimensional puzzle that draws on his engineering background. Yet beyond the operating room, he's built a practice that prioritizes patient education, using 65-inch TVs to explain conditions and giving surgical patients his personal cell phone number to ease anxiety. This combination of technical precision and compassionate communication transforms lives affected by spine problems that can create "the same disability scores as people with terminal cancer."Perhaps most remarkable is how Dr. Verma has structured his practice to reflect his values. He intentionally hires pre-health students aspiring to medicine and PA school, providing them with mentorship while simultaneously expanding access to care. His yearly medical missions to Africa to perform free scoliosis surgeries is "the best thing that I do," funded by the success of his private practice. Through candid discussion of both clinical and administrative challenges, Dr. Verma offers a blueprint for creating a sustainable medical career that resists burnout through purpose and meaningful relationships.Ready to hear more inspiring stories from healthcare leaders who've found their unique path? Subscribe to Shadow Me Next for conversations that go beyond the surface and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @shadowmenext for highlights and previews of upcoming guests.To learn more about Dr. Verma and his office: Instagram: @ascmdWebsite: advanedspinecare.comSupport the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.