oldest practicing surgeons?

[abcxyz0123]

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I was just wondering: how old is the oldest practicing surgeon you know? The reason I ask is b/c the ability to work until I die is important to me (serious--it seems like the people that live the most fulfilling and healthiest lives continue to work, at least part time, into old age...and those with my personality type that retire early seem to get bored/participate in unhealthy habits more often b/c of their free time...and end up dying earlier)...and I always discounted surgery as a potential career choice partly because of this. I've always seen surgeons retiring at around 65-70. However, is it possible to practice until your 80's...or do people develop natural tremors after a while?

 

[Footballsurgeon]

There is an Oto HNS guy at my institution thats 73 years old and he told me he's not retiring for another 5 years lol..... I know nothing about his ability as a surgeon but he is incredibly nice and down to earth.... I used to see him all the time in the cafeteria and he never wears his hospital badge and honestly I thought he was just a regular guy who worked at the hospital i.e non doctor... Until I seen him at an ENT tumor conference and he was presenting a patient...He has'nt been practicing as long as you would think tho...He told me that he spent 8 years in the Army (The guy is so old he was drafted for god's sake)....Went to college then worked as a carpenter for 10 years...Then went to med school... He said ENT was completely non competitive and programs were begging people to come when he was matching lol

 

[Winged Scapula]

Many years ago when I worked at the VA we had a surgeon who was 83 (this was in the days when you could look up employee's demographics on the computer without getting in trouble).

BTW, in response to the poster above: the draft has only been gone for 35 years. Some of us still remember it, so that doesn't necessarily make your surgeon THAT old! 😉

 

[Smurfette]

We recently had a senior attending retire who was in his early to mid 70s. There's another attending who is in his 80s who has just stopped operating within the last 2 years, but still sees patients in clinic.

 

[abcxyz0123]

We recently had a senior attending retire who was in his early to mid 70s. There's another attending who is in his 80s who has just stopped operating within the last 2 years, but still sees patients in clinic.

If you only see a patient in clinic without performing surgery...what does that entail? Do you diagnose the problem/do rounds/etc, but give the patient off to the surgeon whenever surgery is necessary?

 

[Pilot Doc]

If you only see a patient in clinic without performing surgery...what does that entail? Do you diagnose the problem/do rounds/etc, but give the patient off to the surgeon whenever surgery is necessary?

Bascially yes, although in some specialties (ENT, urology) there are a fair number of medical management issues that could provide a more fulfilling career than what you imply.

As for old surgeons, the record in that regard is surely DeBakey, who was active well into his 90's. But that is very unusual.

I think you're going about it a bit wrong, though. This isn't professional football we're talking about. Anybody can, within reason, have a lengthy career in any specialty. It takes some planning - in surgery, perhaps you would work in an academic institution where you could teach more and take call less as you age.

And it's great you have the insight to recognize that you need to keep yourself busy with purposeful activities your whole life. The error is thinking that it has to be the same purposeful activity for your whole life. Find a hobby that can occupy you full time - golf, knitting, breeding goats, whatever - and become good at it. Have a plan in place to transition your time from 100% doc to 100% hobbyist.

 

[Smurfette]

If you only see a patient in clinic without performing surgery...what does that entail? Do you diagnose the problem/do rounds/etc, but give the patient off to the surgeon whenever surgery is necessary?

I think he mostly follows his old patients (most are cancer patients) and gives others in the department any new referrals, but I am not completely sure.

 

[Winged Scapula]

I think you also hae to bear in mind that some employers have mandatory retirement age policies in place, thus effectively limiting you working, at least for that employer after age 65 or 70. Certainly in private practice its easier to keep working, as long as a hospital will continue to credential you.

 

[236116]

72, he's going to be forced to retire at 75. in the OR everyday.

although i do know a guy who is older than that who just recently quit being the department figurehead.

 

[maceo]

I think you also hae to bear in mind that some employers have mandatory retirement age policies in place, thus effectively limiting you working, at least for that employer after age 65 or 70. Certainly in private practice its easier to keep working, as long as a hospital will continue to credential you.

thats age discrimination.

 

[Winged Scapula]

thats age discrimination.

Yes, in the US there is no compulsory retirement any more and one could sue for age discrimination should it become apparent they are forcing you to retire based on this. This is not the case in every country nor is it necessarily the case that you won't find employers attempting this in the US, although they will obviously find other reasons to fire you besides just age.

 

[Black Surgeon]

Dr. Charles Mosee MD: He was one of the first few African Americans to be trained in Neurosurgery. He was recruited by and trained under Dr. Jessie Barber MD, FACS who was one of the first four African-American Neuro-surgeons in the US.

Dr. Charles Mosee MD has been practicing for 50 years now. He is still practicing as a neurosurgeon at Howard University hospital and is definitely over 80 years of age.

 

[radslooking]

sorry, I had to.

http://www.theonion.com/content/video/worlds_oldest_neurosurgeon_turns

 

[Emil77]

Hi, this is my first post here, I just like to read all the interesting threads. I would like to contribute to this thread. I've had the pleasure of working with Dr. Ellsworth Wareham on numerous occasions.

http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/20081009_tows_bluezones/10

 

[DoctaJay]

I was just about to mention Dr. Ellsworth. cool beans.