萝莉社

萝莉社 neurosurgeons, the Tavanaiepour brothers, balance unique relationship

, has always seen , as more than a big brother. From their days as young children in eastern Pennsylvania, Daryoush also took on the role of father figure and mentor to Kourosh, who was trying to find his passion in life.

Both siblings ultimately chose the medical route and became specialized neurosurgeons. After spending several years apart, they are now reunited, using their expertise to treat high-risk patients with compassion at 萝莉社 Jacksonville.

Welcoming Kourosh

Kourosh, who specializes in complex spine surgery, joined the earlier this year after completing his fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He saw 萝莉社 Jacksonville as an attractive destination, largely because of its Level I trauma center and diverse patient population. He admits the warm weather didn鈥檛 hurt, especially since he had lived in the Northeast all of his life.

鈥淚t鈥檚 great to be here,鈥� Kourosh said. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited to be involved with this type of hospital. This has been an amazing transition coming from my fellowship.鈥�

For more than a year, Daryoush has worked with his colleagues and senior leaders to develop a comprehensive spine center and was in search of a specialist to help guide those efforts. The center, which is set to launch early next year, will be housed at .

The center will be a one-stop shop for people dealing with deformities, tumors, traumatic injuries and other issues affecting the spine. Daryoush, the department鈥檚 interim chair, said the center will offer 鈥渁ll of the modalities under one umbrella,鈥� with services to also include pain management, rehabilitation and neurological care.

鈥淭his is a huge need for our patients,鈥� Daryoush said, adding that Kourosh鈥檚 extensive training and background in osteopathic medicine make him perfect for this role. 鈥淚t鈥檚 very difficult to recruit someone like that. Dr. Kourosh Tavanaiepour is well-qualified and highly motivated, and we鈥檙e very lucky to have him.鈥�

Brotherly love

Kourosh smiles as he thinks back to his childhood growing up with his mother and brother, who is nine years older. As a single parent who worked multiple jobs, their mother often relied on Daryoush to keep an eye on Kourosh.

鈥淲e were together a lot. He was always watching over me,鈥� Kourosh said of his older brother. 鈥淭hrough time, we became best friends.鈥�

The Tavanaiepours struggled financially and culturally; their mother immigrated to the United States from Iran in search of better opportunities. In the midst of the hardships, education was always emphasized.

鈥淯ltimately, I got interested in the brain and how it works and interacts with the mind,鈥� Daryoush said.

Years later, he didn鈥檛 initially support his brother鈥檚 desire to also become a neurosurgeon. Daryoush warned him that with the amount of commitment and challenges the job entails, you must have a true love for it. Otherwise, you won鈥檛 last.

Kourosh said his brother inspired him to explore the neurosciences. In doing so, he realized it 鈥渏ust instantly clicked鈥� for him and was something he found comfort and joy in.

鈥淚 feel like it鈥檚 one of the greatest experiences to help people,鈥� Kourosh said. 鈥淲hether it鈥檚 from a brain or spine standpoint, you really are changing lives.鈥�

Family reunion

Though they lived apart for many years 鈥� even in different countries, as Daryoush completed medical school in New Zealand 鈥� the Tavanaiepour brothers always remained in close contact. These days, they both sport white coats emblazoned with the 萝莉社 logo, more commonality to go along with striking similarities in facial features, height and skin tone. The family ties are easy to spot.

During downtime in Jacksonville, the siblings joke and laugh like close pals. There are plenty of smiles and fist bumps during their get-togethers as the two shoot the breeze about their favorite TV show characters, fashion and much more. There鈥檚 a strong brotherhood that has only strengthened with time.

Daryoush describes Kourosh as a gentle, nonjudgmental man who displays much empathy toward others. Also, Kourosh has always been the more creative and artistic one and loves to think outside the box to solve problems.

鈥淗e pushes me to not be stagnant, to try new things,鈥� said Daryoush, who specializes in skull base surgery. 鈥淗e鈥檚 always approaching me with new ideas and new technologies.鈥�

Meanwhile, Daryoush has always been the more logic-based sibling, relying upon proven methods to tackle issues. Kourosh knows Daryoush can share his extensive knowledge and perspective regarding matters such as maintaining relationships with referring physicians, interacting with staff and administrators, and using marketing to promote services.

鈥淲e have shared so much over the years, and now we have this remarkable opportunity to regularly discuss our passion of neurosurgery,鈥� Kourosh said. 鈥淲e really want to help this department grow into a nationally recognized program.鈥�

At the same time, Daryoush speaks of how he and his brother don鈥檛 allow the personal connection to adversely affect their professional activity or negatively impact the strong camaraderie that exists among all the department faculty members. Additionally, guidelines and agreements are in place that remove conflicts of interest and even the perception of such conflicts. For instance, Kourosh doesn鈥檛 report to Daryoush regarding administrative matters such as salary and performance.

Professionally, Daryoush views Kourosh the same way he does his other department colleagues 鈥� esteemed neurosurgeons who, along with their dedicated staff, create a work culture that is devoted to growth, quality outcomes and patient satisfaction.