Tools for Discovering the Purposeful Life

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom continues his discussion with Dr. Anthony Avellino, a pediatric neurosurgeon and author of Finding Purpose: A Neurosurgeon’s Journey of Hope and Healing.  He discusses the principles he used to recover from burnout and depression: Listen, Learn and Heal. Listening means discovering your life’s journey and not always focusing on “climbing the ladder.”  Learn means remaining coachable, recognizing failure and learning to improve. Heal refers to creating a vision for a purposeful life that can bring you joy and happiness.

Anthony M. Avellino is a highly regarded pediatric neurosurgeon, experienced healthcare administrator, and endurance ultra-runner. He started his pediatric neurosurgery career at Johns Hopkins University Hospital and is presently the Medical Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Valley Children’s Healthcare.  He was the Michigan State University assistant vice president for health sciences, chief clinical and medical officer, and interim director of athletic medicine from 2018-2021. He also served as chief executive officer for OSF HealthCare Illinois Neurological Institute from 2014 to 2018. In 2009, he was the first director of the UW Medicine Neurosciences Institute for the University of Washington Medicine and was also appointed chief of neurological surgery at the University of Washington Medical Center in 2011.  For more information, visit: https://findingpurposeavellino.com.