Serena S. Hu is Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Stanford University Medical Center in Stanford, CA.
Dr Hu’s research interests include prediction and prevention of metastatic fractures of the spine that could otherwise lead to paralysis; disc degeneration and its potential prevention or reversal. Her clinical interests include prevention of complications and treatment of adult scoliosis. Dr Hu received her undergraduate degree from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. She completed her medical training at McGill University in Montreal, Canada before serving an internship in general surgery at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York. Dr Hu was a resident in orthopaedic surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery, Cornell University Medical School in New York. Following her residency, she completed a fellowship in spine and scoliosis surgery at Rancho Los Amigos in Downey, CA. She has recently been appointed the first female president of the Scoliosis Research Society. She also recently completed her term as the 134th president of the American Orthopedic Association, also their first woman president.
OPN: What drove you to choose surgery as a career – and orthopaedic surgery in particular?
SH: I was very impressed as a medical student at the impact orthopedic surgery could make on people’s quality of life, in tangible and relatively rapid ways. I also had liked the technical and reconstructive aspects of surgery.
OPN: It is clear that the healthcare industry has been greatly impacted by the pandemic, what has been the greatest impact for you within the orthopaedic industry?
SH: The pandemic has resulted in staffing shortages across all fields, the medical field has been particularly strongly affected because of care of these patients and ever-changing priorities for maintaining the best and safest care for patients. But it continues to affect our ability to be fully staffed and offer care to as many people as we have the capacity for. This means that surgeries and other care (such as PT) can be delayed because of staffing shortages. One good thing to come out of the pandemic is the ability to do video visits, which has saved many patients lots of travel time. It doesn’t substitute for an in-person visit, but there are certainly many times that in person isn’t required.
OPN: What’s the best part of your job?
SH: Being able to improve a patient’s function, whether it be from prescribing a successful physical therapy programme or performing an operation that restores that function; I really love getting hugs from patients I have been able to help.
OPN: … and the worst?
SH: Seeing those people that we don’t have the answers for because we don’t have a solution for their injuries or degeneration or basic health status.
OPN: What has been the highlight of your career so far?
SH: I have been so fortunate, I have had great mentors and so many opportunities in my career. Although being SRS president ranks as one of the highlights, I also get so much gratification from having former residents and fellows reach out for career advice or to thank me for prior guidance.
OPN: Are you currently involved in any research or work with emerging technologies?
SH: I have quite a few research projects going on and planned. Most of them involved improving outcomes and decreasing complications for spine surgery.
OPN: Please can you tell us more about the research and what it could mean to patient experience and outcomes?
SH: We are particularly interested in the cost and value of health care and the factors, modifiable and not, that drive these costs for spine care. We all know how expensive health care is in the US and improving our understanding of how we can optimise patients to have better outcomes will help decrease those costs.
OPN: You have recently been appointed the first female president of the Scoliosis Research Society. Congratulations! How do you feel about your new role and do you have any goals to serve the members as president?
SH: I am very honoured and excited to serve as SRS president. It’s a wonderful society with so many talented and committed people. I will be working to continue the great work of my predecessors, but also to expand upon this work. Specifically, we will be working to improve our leadership development within the SRS, helping our members gain skills and experience to maximize the future of the society. This will help with diversity, openness and