2003 Congress of Neurological Surgeons Presidential Address The Value of Neurosurgery

摘要

Webster's Dictionary defines "value" as: 1. the relative importance and degree of excellence; 2. the precise significance of a person or activity; 3. a principle or quality that is intrinsically valuable or desirable; 4. the monetary worth of something. Remarkably, every meaning of the word "value" is applicable to neurosurgeons and to our profession. Each of us was drawn to medicine by a variety of motivations and expectations - intellectual curiosity, the desire to help our fellow man, a passion to expand our society's scientific knowledge, and our perception of the professional honor and value associated with being a physician. Our progress was facilitated by countless teachers and counselors who helped us develop and refine our scholastic skills, and by parents, coaches and mentors, who reinforced principles of personal integrity, hard work, discipline, consistent best efforts, and good sportsmanship.