Submitted by Mia Bivaletz
“It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters” – Epictetus
This was the life lesson that 2nd grade teacher Laura Madden wanted to share with her Washington Elementary School students this spring after she was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma, which is a benign brain tumor at the base of the skull between the brain and ear.
On Wednesday, June 20, 2018, Ms. Madden’s class had a once in a lifetime opportunity. Dr. James K. Liu, the neurosurgeon who successfully removed her acoustic neuroma, came to visit the class. He shared with the class what inspired him to become a neurosurgeon and taught the class about the brain. Then each student was able to do a mock surgery using model skulls and surgical tools. “Having Dr. Liu visit the class was the perfect way for us to end our school year together. Not only is he an elite neurosurgeon, but he wants to inspire others to never stop learning. His passion for his field and compassion towards his patients will now have a positive and lasting impact on my students,” Ms. Madden shared.
Dr. James K. Liu is the Director of the Center for Cerebrovascular, Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery at the Rutgers Neurological Institute of New Jersey, and Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. He is internationally known for his expertise in brain tumors, aneurysms, and endoscopic surgery. He is affiliated with Rutgers Health and RWJ Barnabas Health.
Photo by Summit Public Schools.
(above) Dr. Liu, the neurosurgeon who operated on 2nd grade teacher Laura Madden, visited her class to teach the students about the brain.
