An Interview With Jake Frankel
The most important thing to remember is that you don’t learn everything during your residency, so stay humble.
As part of my series about healthcare leaders, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. David Shusterman.
Dr. David Shusterman at NY Urology with locations in both Forest Hills and Midtown East, New York City, New York is a board certified urologist who specializes in compassionate urological treatment. Dr. Shusterman started his career specialty in urology in July 1999 as a surgical resident at a number of prestigious facilities including University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Hospital and the University of Chicago Hospital. In 2002, he continued his studies as a urology resident treating patients at a number of fine medical centers including Robert Wood Johnson Hospital and the Cancer. Institute of New Jersey. Today, Dr. Shusterman is the Medical Director of urology at one of the most innovative practices in the state of New York.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! What is your “backstory”? Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
Once, I had a patient come in because he wanted to have a penis enlargement. Two brothers came in, and one of them was showing me what he wanted to enhance. As I looked at it, it seemed very normal to me. I told him he had a very normal size. Then, his brother chimed in and said, “Well, it’s not normal for our family.” He proceeded to show me his, and I realized there was a difference within the family. One brother was smaller than the other, and he thought the normal size was the bigger size. It was definitely an interesting and unexpected situation!
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
Once I had a patient who came in because she kept peeing a lot, so I decided to do a cystoscopy to check out her bladder and see what was up. When I looked inside, I saw this big thing pressing on her bladder, and I immediately thought it might be cancer. So, I sent her for a CT scan to confirm my suspicions. Turns out, it was fibroids! A lot of women have fibroids that can push on the bladder and make it seem like something more serious. It was a learning experience for me!
Are you working on any new or exciting projects now
I am currently working on a project to raise awareness about prostate enlargement in men. Prostate enlargement is a common issue that many men face, but there is a great treatment called PAE that can help. I want to spread the word about PAE because currently, many men are undergoing invasive treatments when a minimally invasive option is available. Let’s work together to make sure men know about their options for managing prostate enlargement, you can get more information on our website NYUrology.com and also on 1Prostate.com
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
After finishing residency, you might feel like a big shot, thinking you’re a pro at surgery. But then reality hits — most of your time is spent seeing patients in the office. I was hired by a urologist and was shocked by the modern facilities in the office, you don’t find that at hospitals. They had ultrasound tech and other cool tools. That’s when I decided my goal is to specialize in minimally invasive modern Urology.
Is there a particular book that made an impact on you? Can you share a story?
“Common Sense” by Benjamin Franklin is truly a masterpiece. In this book, Franklin shares valuable tips on business, personal development, and various other topics that are incredibly profound and insightful. It is definitely a must-read for anyone looking to gain valuable knowledge and wisdom.
How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?
I often provide charity treatment in my office for patients who may not be able to afford it. I believe in giving back to the community and helping those in need. While some may not take patients because of their insurance, l leave that on the side and accept it. I see it as a way to offer assistance to those who may not have other options.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share a story about how that was relevant to you in your own life?
“Treat others as you would want to be treated” is a simple yet powerful way to live. When you treat people with kindness and respect, it usually comes back to you. On the flip side, if you go around treating people poorly, you can expect the same treatment in return. It’s a pretty powerful quote, don’t you think?”
Can you share your top three “lifestyle tweaks” that will help people feel great?
I have one rule: moderation is key. For example, if I suggest drinking more water, it doesn’t mean they have to drink three gallons a day. I mean taking a moderate approach, like drinking 2 to 3 liters. Remember, everything in moderation!
What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” and why.
- The most important thing to remember is that you don’t learn everything during your residency, so stay humble.
- When it comes to talking to patients, it’s crucial to address their fears and anxieties, especially when it comes to concerns about cancer. No one teaches you how to do this, but it’s important to make patients feel at ease.
- Managing the business side of a medical practice is something that isn’t typically taught during medical school. If you want to have a top-notch practice, you’ll need to create it yourself and have a good understanding of business principles.
- It’s essential to keep up with ongoing training, especially with new technologies constantly emerging. If you don’t stay updated, you could find yourself in trouble. The medical field is always evolving, and it’s important to stay current to provide the best care possible.
If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of wellness to the most amount of people, what would that be?
I believe the modern urology movement should be widespread. We need to be trained in a way that differs from traditional methods. Let’s bring this new approach to urology to all corners of the medical field!
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them 🙂
Elon Musk. I think he is truly an incredible individual. I am amazed by his intelligence and innovative thinking. He has mastered the art of business and has solidified his position at the top.
Thank you so much for these wonderful insights!
Dr David Shusterman: 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became A Doctor was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.