Lewis Leng, MD: SFMS June 2014 Member of the Month July 3, 2014 Member of the Month, SFMS Member Lewis Leng, Member of the Month, SFMS Member 0 Lewis Z. Leng, MD is a neurosurgeon at Pacific Neurosurgery and California Pacific Medical Center. Dr. Leng specializes in neuro-oncology, endoscopic pituitary and skull base tumor surgery, cerebrovascular surgery, and minimally invasive spine surgery. Dr. Leng has a special interest in treating pathologies of the brain and spine in a minimally invasive manner. Dr. Leng trained at Weill Cornell Medical Center and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. During his time in New York, Dr. Leng worked with one of the pioneers of extended endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery, a new field of neurosurgery that treats complex tumors of the skull base through the natural corridors of the nose and sinuses. Dr. Leng has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications and book chapters in the field. Since joining CPMC, Dr. Leng has started the endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery program with his ENT colleague, Dr. Aditi Mandpe. Dr. Leng has also completed a fellowship in neuro-interventional surgery at Weill Cornell Medical Center. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. Prior to his medical training, Dr. Leng had his roots in the Bay Area, having graduated from the University of California, Berkeley. Click here to view Dr. Lewis Leng's practice information. Why are you an SFMS member? As a new physician in the region, SFMS provides great opportunities for me to connect with the other enthusiastic members in the medical community. Medicine is a joint effort, so establishing a relationship and rapport with other physicians is vital. In this age of ubiquitous electronic communication, face-to-face meetings carry even greater weight. Becoming a member of a larger group that will speak up for the interests of physicians and patients is incredibly important to me. It is important we deliver one cohesive, honest message to the public. The SFMS resource that is most helpful to me are all the seminars and resources regarding Covered California. I, 100%, support the effort to improve access to health care as I think it is unacceptable that health care coverage is deficient or absent for millions in this country; however, the roll-out of Covered California and the Affordable Care Act has been poorly organized and confusing. As a physician in this state, I would hope that the changes would actually help me take better care of my patients, not hinder my ability. SFMS has been providing important guidance and resources during this confusing time. When I'm not at work, I like to go for a run through the Presidio, bike around the Marin Headlands, search for good food in the city and the Bay Area, and chase my one-year old son around. The most important thing I learned in medical school and residency is to spend time talking to your patients. As medical professionals we often forget the bewildering nature of modern medicine. What seems second nature to us is a foreign language for most. Many issues I deal with as a neurosurgeon may seem daunting when first viewed from the standpoint of a layperson but, in most cases, can actually be broken down into fairly digestible terms. Patients and their loved ones feel much more in control when making difficult health care decisions after they receive honest, understandable information. Some of the biggest opportunities or challenges I see in health care within the next five years are understanding the plethora of health system changes, from regulation to reimbursement to legislation that are occurring. As a young physician I view these changes as a challenge for me to be a better physician and to deliver care in more efficient and effective ways. Additionally, I think the build-up of medical literature and data is a growing challenge for all physicians to handle. The innovations and technology of medicine and surgery are changing constantly and at an increasingly rapid pace. For example, as a neurosurgeon, one of my specialties is endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery which allows me to remove complex tumors of the skull base through the nose and sinuses. This field of neurosurgery barely existed just 15 years ago. The challenge for physicians is to assess the new innovations and data, and apply what is most relevant to the care of patients in a meaningful way. What I love most about practicing neurosurgery is the privilege to intervene in a patient’s life in a very profound manner. I am really humbled by the opportunity to participate in a patient’s care even if just for a brief moment because, in many cases, it has long-term, lasting implications. When I am able to restore a patient’s vision by removing that patient’s pituitary tumor, I feel truly privileged to have had an opportunity to help change the course of my patient’s life. The intensity of operating is always exciting but seeing my patients afterwards and down the road is an equally rewarding aspect of my professional life. What is your favorite restaurant in San Francisco? Still figuring it out -- there are too many to choose from. After leaving New York, I was worried that if I went anywhere else, I would be taking a step down in terms of the food experience, but not here. If you weren't a physician, what profession would you like to try? Easy. I would be Anthony Bourdain. Who wouldn’t want his job? Try new different cuisines. Travel the world. Experience new cultures. My liver probably wouldn’t keep up though. Comments are closed.
