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Jacob was the first Australian neurosurgeon to apply for and receive the Fellowship at our Centre. Given the disdain with which my fellow neurosurgeons treat me and anyone associated with me, this was an incredibly courageous and admirable step. I had the pleasure of working with Jacob several years ago when he rotated through the public hospital as a junior registrar. He impressed me then. I had briefly contemplated seducing him back to the Centre one day in the hope that he may wish to specialise in brain tumours. Over the last 6 months he did not disappoint us. Jacob is an exceptional human being. He has warmth and compassion, immeasurable professionalism, a great depth of knowledge, surgical courage and dexterity and superb communication skills…… and a wicked sense of humour! He became an immediate team member and was liked by all with whom he made contact. Jacob will be furthering his training in Canada in the field of neurovascular surgery with the plan of becoming both a brain tumour and a vascular neurosurgeon. I couldn’t think of a more worthy colleague in whom I would place the care of my patients and hope that he will consider returning to our Centre in 2012. We wish him and his wonderful family the best of luck in Toronto.
Tyler Atkins
Tyler was the first resident to train at and complete his residency at the Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Institute in Charlotte, NC. This is one of the largest private practice groups in the world and has an excellent reputation for hands-on training from some of the best neurosurgeons in the USA….think Tony Asher, Hunter Dyer, Tim Adamson and Scott Wait. As Visiting Professor there a few years back, I was observing Scott Wait, my previous fellow, performing a difficult case through an eyebrow approach. His assistant was Tyler. I was equally impressed with Tyler as I was with Scott, who I have described previously as the best technical surgeon I have ever trained. When Tyler applied for my fellowship I seriously thought that I would reject him simply because there was nothing that I could teach him that Scott hadn’t already.
He persisted and I am so thankful that he did. Tyler has been with us for 3 months and has already earnt himself several “superlatives”…..indeed, he may be the best “second generation” fellow that I have ever trained. Welcome Tyler and your beautiful family. Let’s hope that the Covid 19 pandemic prohibits you from returning to the US….just kidding!!
