The Brooklyn Prosperity Association (BBA) held a special lecture on June 14 at J.H.S. 259 auditorium with the theme “Exploring the Future of Medicine and Neurosurgery.” The event featured two neurosurgery experts from Maimonides Medical Center who engaged in face-to-face discussions with high school students in the Brooklyn area, inspiring young minds about careers in medicine. The event attracted hundreds of Chinese students who actively participated.
One of the keynote speakers, Dr. Daniel W. Zumofen from Switzerland, the Director of Vascular Neurosurgery at Maimonides Medical Center, encouraged young students to “build their personal brand and uphold core values.” He likened the brain to a “precise Swiss watch that requires countless small but accurate parts to function,” and described neurosurgeons as watchmakers who need focus, precision, and teamwork to succeed.
Another speaker, Dr. Christine Mau, a neurosurgery attending physician at Maimonides, shared her story of aspiring to become a doctor since the age of five. Coming from an immigrant family, she wanted to help alleviate the medical burdens on her parents. Dr. Mau introduced the latest surgical technologies such as the 3D glasses-assisted exoscope system and fluorescence imaging techniques, which illuminate brain tumor cells under blue light, enhancing surgical accuracy and safety.
During the interactive Q&A session, students enthusiastically asked questions. When discussing how to prepare for a career in medicine, both doctors emphasized that “passion and self-awareness” are key.
“No one should be forced into medicine; this path is challenging and arduous, and without a deep inner love, it will be difficult to persevere,” Dr. Mau said. She advised students to take biology, neuroscience courses, engage in medical-related volunteer services, or shadow physicians and nursing staff to truly understand the reality of this profession.
Dr. Zumofen added, “Healthcare is an investment in the future, a very safe and stable career choice. Artificial intelligence can assist us, but it cannot replace healthcare professionals themselves. From nurses, medical assistants, technicians to physicians, the medical field offers a wide range of career options, so finding what suits you best is the right choice.”
He encouraged young people, saying, “Don’t just imagine a job; go out and experience it firsthand. Standing alongside professionals for a day or two is the most direct way to understand a career.”
Addressing a question about whether AI and new technologies could shorten the training time for physicians, Dr. Mau pointed out that neurosurgery evolves rapidly, with new technologies emerging constantly, requiring physicians to learn more. “Neurosurgery training still takes seven years, and even though AI and virtual reality (VR) can assist in learning, they cannot replace clinical experience and tactile judgment. Sensing how much pressure to apply to a specific area of the brain or blood vessel still requires long-term practical experience to master.”
Dr. Zumofen further stated that the development of new technologies has made neurosurgery more precise and complex, requiring doctors to embrace change and become the “guardians of machines.” “The arrival of new technology actually makes it more challenging and complex for us. I believe this learning process cannot be shortened. To become a qualified neurosurgeon, you still need seven years of complete training.”
During the live demonstration segment, Dr. Zumofen personally introduced various neurosurgical tools to students, including mini instruments for removing brain clots, small coils for sealing ruptured brain blood vessels, a vascular stent woven from 72 fine threads, and the “Apolo” negative pressure vibration device. He explained the process of performing minimally invasive brain surgery through the wrist artery, allowing students to touch and operate these advanced tools.
He also led students to understand the basic structure and functional areas of the brain, such as the brain’s outer layer composed of gray matter, which consists of brain cells, and the inner white matter that transmits signals like cables.
At the end of the event, New York State Senator Chen Xueli presented certificates of appreciation to Dr. Zumofen, Dr. Mau, and Dr. Razvan F. Buciuc, who was unable to attend as he was saving a stroke patient’s life. Senator Chen, who served as a police officer for 27 years, deeply understood the pressures and spirit of dedication on the frontline of healthcare, stating that “a doctor’s mission is like a police officer’s – not to take lives but to protect and save lives.”