When Representative Gabrielle Giffords was shot in Tucson, the surgical team that saved her life included doctors trained by neurosurgeon Allan Hamilton. Now he shares his thoughts about the teamwork that made her recovery possible.
Brain injury is far more common than many people realize. Veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan frequently suffer with traumatic brain injury, but peacetime pursuits can also be dangerous. The NFL is looking at the consequences of concussions among its players, and many experts worry about female athletes as well.
In addition to brain surgery, Dr. Hamilton has pioneered an unusual therapy for patients struggling to recover. He has patients work with horses. Hear how a young child learns to lead a horse and to advocate for himself.
Guest: Allan Hamilton, MD, was previously chief of neurosurgery and chairman of the department of surgery at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center. He is currently a professor of neurosurgery and a clinical professor in the departments of radiation oncology and psychology at the Arizona Health Sciences Center. He is the executive director of the Arizona Simulation Technology and Education Center, a medical think tank that seeks to improve surgical techniques and reduce operating room errors. He is the author of The Scalpel and the Soul: Encounters with Surgery, The Supernatural, and the Healing Power of Hope. His new book, Zen Mind, Zen Horse: The Science and Spirituality of Working with Horses will be published in fall 2011.
The podcast of this program will be available the Monday after the broadcast date. Podcasts can be downloaded for free for six weeks after the date of broadcast. After that time has passed, digital downloads are available for $2.99. CDs may be purchased at any time after broadcast for $9.99.
