Respond to Jan- Quote
“However, there are many who cannot go to HEI due to location, cost, etc�
I actually flew all the way to LA and went for an appointment there at HEI. Believe it or not- their financial quote, to me, was NOT near as high as other institutions in the US. I actually did have insurance coverage to go to HEI- if I wanted to.
I deliberated between House (LA, CA) and OHSU (Portland OR) for sometime. I did much research (full and overtime, all summer, plus forked out-of-pocket $2K – flights and accommodations, malpractice reports, downloading medical publications by the noted world class AN surgeons etc) … and you know I actually chose neither of these places in the finale (even if my insurance company would cover the surgery – however not travel expenses etc)
I actually chose Stanford University. I had not even met the Dr.Jackler/ Dr. Harsh team, in person, before I made my choice (unlike personally going to the other places). I consulted with 9 surgeons in the USA and Canada (sent them my MRI and hearing tests etc- had phone conversations…) and Dr. Jackler (#8 I spoke to) impressed me MOST of all. He answered all my questions well. I then did background reference work on him and went over his and Dr. Harsh’s CV’s with a fine tooth comb. I actually CHOSE Stanford over HEI … and I preferred Stanford U hospital (Palo Alto CA) over St. Vincent Hospital (LA- CA) (please understand though I really really liked Dr. Brackmann, at House, – he is a lovely man to meet in person- I will not ever forget him)
Dr Jackler actually did his fellow year at House with Dr. Brackmann – years ago. Dr. Jackler has fellows now train under him. The young Canadian fellow I had at Stanford was exceptional! … He in turn will go back to Canada and train MD’s up there.
House was THE pioneering institute in Acoustic Neuroma. They have trained many others (name me a neurotologist who does not have a text book in their library- written by either Dr. House or Dr. Brackmann.) Those trained at HEI have moved on to develop good quality institutions of their own. In their prime years- Dr. House and Dr. Brackmann were not just THE amazing surgeons they were also amazing educators.
JAN - I must correct you when you start doing COST comparison- you need to realize that House IS reasonable (their quote was much lower than my Stanford bill) and they also have the affordable Seton House for patients and their companion stay at -while in extended recovery …right next to the hospital. (Our extended stay apartment in Palo Alto area- was VERY pricey) Many intentional patients are still being sent HEI… but in North America we have more and more qualified Surgeons and intuitions cropping up now.
The AN forum has this list of surgeons (many with places other than HEI):
http://anausa.org/physician_list.htmlI am curious as to “WHO regulates this list?�
4