In recognition of Stroke Awareness Month, we sat down with neurosurgeon Min Park, MD, an expert in cerebrovascular and endovascular neurosurgery. Park is a military veteran who served in the Navy for four years, including six months in Afghanistan. To UVA, he brings an extensive knowledge of neurological and neurovascular diseases, including:
- Ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke
- Aneurysms
- Spine and skull base tumors
Meet A Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery Specialist
1. Why did you become a doctor?
I became a doctor because of my father who was a surgeon. He truly loved his job and the daily interactions with his patients. That served as the best recruitment tool for the medical profession.
2. Why did you choose your specialty?
In medical school, I was fascinated by the neurosciences and the challenges in understanding the brain. During my clinical rotations, I was introduced to the chair of neurosurgery, Dr. Paul Nelson, who encouraged me to explore neurosurgery as a profession. It was the best advice I ever received in medical school.
3. What is your favorite thing about Charlottesville?
Charlottesville is a very family-friendly environment with lots of great recreational activities and events for the whole family. In a very short order, I feel that my family and I have been embraced by the community.
4. Where did you grow up?
I grew up in a little town called Munster, Indiana, right off of the southern tip of Lake Michigan.
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5. What’s the most exciting thing/research happening in your field right now?
Technology plays an ever-increasing role in medicine today, no more so than in neurointerventional surgery where new therapies and devices are being developed at a phenomenal rate to better help patients with some of the most complicated medical problems in existence. Being a part of a renowned neurosurgery department at the University of Virginia allows me the opportunity to stay at the forefront of these new discoveries.
6. Who is your inspiration or hero?
My parents. My father for opening my eyes to the joys of medicine and for his unwavering integrity. My mother for keeping three rambunctious boys (mostly) out of trouble. And my wife for her endless love and support and understanding/forgiveness for the long hours.
7. What’s your favorite thing about working at UVA?
Certainly, it’s the people that I work with on a day-to-day basis. This collection of dedicated and fun individuals at UVA Health System helps to make it a pleasure to wake up every morning.
Ever wonder what your doctor or health provider does outside the exam room? Our 7 Quick Questions series gives you a personal glimpse into the people of UVA.
Hi, my name is Tiffany and I will be 30 in October. In 2003, when I was 15, I was in an MVA and hit my head, I have suffered from migraines every day since. In 2005, I had my first LP Shunt placed. In 2009, I had to have a Chiari Malformation Decompression. I have had to have 8 revisions on the shunt and as of 2.5 years ago I had the VP Shunt placed. Still, even with the shunt, I have horrible migraines EVERY day; granted, the shunt gives the migraines an improvement because without it draining the excess fluid off would not be alive! I am currently having difficulties with my shunt, it is programmed at .5 and even with it draining the most amount it can, I am having severe pressure build up. Unfortunately though, CT shows that shunt is draining because ventricles are almost slit like. My neurosurgeon has told me that he doesn’t do shunt anymore, but still continues to see me as a patient because I am his existing pt, but I can tell that when issues with my shunt start arising, they don’t really want to deal with it. In the last nearly 15 years though, there has never been a Dr to do the MR venogram. Would you all be willing to be a second opinion? I know it can be challenging going to another physician due to malpractice concerns. I would just really appreciate having a doctor that is willing to do look into doing more testing to try to figure out my Neuro issues rather than just push it off. I’m not asking for a cure, just wanting to further investigate to see if there is even a small CHANCE of improvement to what I live with daily.
Thank you and God Bless!
Tiffany, thanks for the comment. We’re so sorry to hear that you’re going through this. We’d be happy to see you for a second opinion. Please call us at 434.243.3675 to schedule, or you can request the appointment online.