|
|
 |
|
ph: 604-688-2398 fx: 604-688-1963
CAN'T FIND SOMETHING? |
Brian KwonOrthopaedic surgeon, Vancouver General HospitalAge: 38 Brian Kwon’s business can change lives, but the doctor thinks his life is successful because of the people around him. “I have great mentors,” said Kwon. “We’ve got a lot of people that contribute to spinal-injury care and spine research, and having that very dedicated team really helps a lot.” Kwon said he became interested in spinal injuries during his residency at the University of British Columbia, after he earned a medical degree from Queen’s University in Ontario. “That clinical problem really interested me, you know, they’re just horrible injuries,” he said. Since then, Kwon has made a name for himself as not only a surgeon but also a researcher. In the past five years, he has garnered more than $4 million in research funding from Canadian and international funding agencies. In 2004, Kwon was one of six people to receive a New Investigator Award from Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and he has lectured about spinal-cord injuries at organizations all over North America. As the province’s top referral centre for spinal-cord injuries, Vancouver General Hospital receives more spinal injuries than most other hospitals in North America, Kwon said, and that amount of work has had an affect on his family life. “There’s no question that they make a lot of sacrifices for me to pursue those interests.” Still, Kwon said he tries to keep his professional life balanced with his personal life, and one of his greatest strengths is his ability to function on very little sleep. • Birthplace: Ottawa Where do you live now: Vancouver Highest level of education: PhD in neuroscience and FRCSC (Orthopaedics) from UBC Car or chosen mode of transport: Lexus GS350 AWD Currently reading: The Journal of Neurotrauma Last CD bought or music downloaded: Cradlesong by Rob Thomas Favourite movie: The Matrix Favourite local restaurant: Cafe Pacifica Person you would most like to meet (living or deceased): Barack Obama Profession you would most like to try: Philanthropy Mentor: Marcel Dvorak and Wolfram Tetzlaff Most memorable career milestone or event: Passing/surviving my Royal College examination in orthopaedic surgery – six hours that will be hard to forget Toughest business or professional decision: Terminating the employment of someone whose scientific integrity was compromised, but who I liked, respected and cared for immensely What’s left to do: Be able to tell a spinal-cord injury patient and his or her family that there is in fact something we can do to treat their paralysis and improve their chance of walking out of Vancouver General Hospital This article from Business in Vancouver December 29, 2009-January 4, 2010; issue 1053 Business in Vancouver (www.biv.com) has been publishing in-depth local business news, analysis and commentary since 1989. The newspaper also produces a weekly ranked list of the biggest companies and players in a wide range of B.C. industries and commercial sectors, monthly features and industry-focused sections that arm its subscribers with a complete package of local business intelligence each week. |
|
||||
|
Comments about this site should be sent to: | ||||||
