There is tremendous value in revisiting the reasons I made my career choice as a surgeon. Why medicine, why surgery, why neurosurgery? Asking yourself these questions often will help mature your clinical perspective, give you energy and motivation, make you a better teacher, and help prevent stagnation and burnout. What has surprised me over the years is how and why my answers to these questions change as I go through different phases of my life and career.

As a The Spine Journal (TSJ) reviewer I have had the honor of being allowed access to article submissions and to critically evaluate original research. The reviewer process has changed the way I read scientific literature. It piques my curiosity and keeps me current and relevant. It has also changed the way I teach critical scientific literature review. Being a journal reviewer has been a highly rewarding volunteer activity.

Most of spine care is elective. It is also not static. And it is highly lucrative. This combination opens the door to questionable practice behavior. It also gives the surgeon tremendous responsibility to be current, honest, and transparent with the patient – more so than any other surgical specialty. Today’s outstanding spine professional has to be grounded in deep seated knowledge, unending curiosity, and impeccable ethics.