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I love when I hear a doctor say they became a doctor because of a personal experience…. That means he cares and takes what does personal

Your story is a remarkable one—steeped with tragedy, but also triumph. You are blessed with not only resilience and humility, but also a keen intellect and determination. How we admire you so! Thanks for sharing!

I hope to become a neurosurgeon in the future

I can only imagine how many people have been blessed by your work. Thank you for those years of training!

It is thanks to my neurosurgeon who did extensive neck surgery on me that I can walk. I sport a lot of titanium, screws, and rods but I am alive to share another day. Thank you to a lot of dedicated doctors and staff who treat us. I am eternally grateful. ❤❤

You story and sincerity is truly felt. Your family has gone through so much, but still you rise! I'm glad you decided to continue medicine. And hats off to Dr. Mrs. Hoeflinger as well.

Thank you for stating that URMC wasn’t your top choice for neurosurgery residency. You are such a down to earth person

My granddaughter is in college now to be one

I’m thankful my Neurosurgeon Dr Timothy White for saving my life… it’s humbling being so smart God Bless u all

Hi Dr H, I’m currently in my last semester of nursing school- your story is so inspiring and your message is so genuine. I truly look forward to working with doctors like you, who stay true to themselves and their mission of service! God bless you and your family ❤

Y’all are rockstars. Just had a craniotomy and I couldn’t imagine doing that day in and day out for a job. Like you can’t have a “bad day” at work and be lazy.

I was simply blown away with your pain and honesty. So many of us have experienced deep immense pain. However, what matters most is what we can do for others.

I really appreciate and understand where you use your personal interactions with neurosurgery to drive you to the Doctor you are today and how much you learned from other doctors mistakes before even becoming a Doctor.  I had open heart surgery on Oct 23 2012, to have my aortic heart valve replaced.  The next day the 24th it was found that I had three strokes 2 minor ones on the top of my brain on both sides and one major on the back of my brain.  On the 24th they ported my brain, then the following night they had to take an egg sized part of the back of my skull out to basically let the dead brain matter out sewed me up and hoped I survived.  The next day my parents were told that there 27 year old son would end up in a nursing home for approx. 6 months.  Luckily over the next few days I got a lot better quickly to the point where I didn't really need any "post op assistance".  I was released from to hospital about 3 weeks after the initial surgery.  There is a lot more to the after surgery that I am not going to take your time to read.  The Doctors without a doubt saved my life and for that I could kiss my cardiac Surgeon and my Neurosurgeon.  With that said I felt as though I had surgery performed I was good to go and "shipped out", which kind of wants me to punch the surgeon that saved my life.  I don't think it was his job or a requirement to sit at my bedside to tell me everything was going to be ok.  I just really wish he would have said to my parents at the time that I was going to need to see someone to talk to.  All of this just to make sense of everyday life.  I was totally  lost and confused.  I will never be the man I was before surgery but today I am 95% back to where I was.  For that I am thankful to both the Doctors and the University of Iowa Heath care.  I'f one future Neurosurgeon reads this somewhere in the world never forget you have a lot of ability and power to save someone's life but don't forget there may be a little more to just the surgery.  Thank you Dr. Hoeflinger.

I’m inspired by your humility and perseverance. Thank you for sharing your personal journey with us🙏

Your humility is humbling. I have followed you and your family long enough to know the unspeakable tragedy you have suffered.  It takes straight-up courage to do what you are doing. God bless you, your wife and your children and grandchild.  Our family has experienced the same kind of tragedy, to put one foot in front of the other is difficult let alone the courage you demonstrate in reaching out to the masses.  Ironically, I will be traveling to the U of R this coming week for an odontoid pannus.

I really appreciate this in-depth explanation of how you ended up in your specialty! It's truly refreshing to hear about a doctor who pursued his career for all the right reasons!

I read the case of Christopher Duntsch, a Texas neurosurgeon who deliberately paralysed a 76 year old and received life in prison.
He was so arrogant and believed in his own power, and ignored life saving advice and paralysed many more.
If you want power, don't go near anyone's brain, just be a regular day tripper.

Excellent video 👍🏻 As a 68 y/o retired neurosurgeon P.A. this was great to see your passion and compassion  that a large number of  physicians don’t communicate very well with Family as well as patients. Thank God for your perseverance !   I believe Medicine is a calling.I’m glad you chose your path 👏🏻. Now retired I still miss medicine. May God Bless you for being that true light in the storm.🙏🏼

Dr, you and your family have been through sooo much❤ No wonder why you are so compassionate with your communication to patients and us!Blessings to you and your family.