shutterstock_84085018.jpegHappy Holidays from the team at Barrington Orthopedic Specialists! Thanksgiving is coming, and the December holidays are soon to follow. We hope you’re keeping healthy, happy and safe.

This month, we have more exciting community outreach news from BOS, and a word from one of our newest physicians:

Community Outreach: Nearly $150 Raised During Basket Brigade Shoe Drive 

Barrington Orthopedic Specialists was proud to participate in the Basket Brigade Shoe Drive throughout September, which helped raise funds to deliver complete Thanksgiving dinners to local families in need. With your help, we collected 293 pairs of shoes, which generated $146.50 for Basket Brigade! Donating shoes is also great for the environment, as we minimize waste by reusing gently worn, used, and new shoes.

If you’re interested in learning more about Basket Brigade or volunteering in their Assembly Day and Delivery Day events to provide meals to families in our Suburban Chicago community, check out their flyer or visit their website.

Physician Profile: Dr. Wajeeh Bakhsh

This month, we’re excited to learn more about Dr. Wajeeh Bakhsh, a highly-trained spine surgeon who we were delighted to welcome to the BOS team in September! We asked Dr. Bakhsh a few questions about himself, which he answered below:

 What are some highlights of your medical background?

Prior to medicine, I was in finance. That career path didn’t offer the fulfillment I sought in a lifelong career, so I transitioned to medicine. My journey has been incredibly rewarding, from medical school in St. Louis, residency in upstate NY, and fellowship in my hometown of Chicago, IL. I am now back home where I grew up, and I love the opportunity I have to help local community members, family, and friends with the skills I have spent so many years developing. I also have focused extensively on research, and it is my goal to continue contributing to the forefront of academic medicine, keeping Barrington Orthopedic Specialists the place to go for care with the latest and safest technologies.

Why did you choose to specialize in the spine?

Spine injuries and back problems cause such debilitating pain. People find themselves unable to work, unable to play with their kids, and their quality of life truly suffers. Spine surgery allows me to directly intervene and help patients when they are at their most miserable. That satisfaction is why I pursued medicine in the first place. Even when not operating, by helping guide non-operative care I am still helping people, which is all I want to do. 

What excites you about joining the BOS team?

The BOS team is such a strong, established group where the care of the patient comes first. It is not a huge, faceless organization where patients get lost in the shuffle. It’s not so small that the group cannot handle complex cases. It is the perfect size, with coverage of all orthopedic issues, and a robust spine department with myself and three very skilled non-operative partners. Together, the BOS team can handle anything that walks in the door, making this a place for comfort for patients where they know they will be well taken care of. 

What, to you, is the most rewarding thing about being a doctor?

The most rewarding thing is simply the satisfaction from seeing a patient improve. Patients walk through the door suffering, whether it is back pain, a fracture, or some other injury that I may help diagnose even if I cannot treat. When a patient tells me how much relief they get from something I either do or help point them toward, that is the most rewarding feeling. 

What are some things you like to do to unwind?

Surgery can take its toll! To help unwind and relax after work, I like to grill and spend time with my family. We live in the city, so going out to eat at all the new, diverse, exciting restaurants is always fun. I also dabble with cars, and occasionally still try to do some basic maintenance or restore old cars to help relax. 

What is one fun fact about yourself?

Hard to keep it at just one, since I love to have fun! I’d have to say my fun fact is that I have six siblings! Coming from a large family has been thrilling, and rewarding with so much love to share with others.

To learn more about Dr. Wajeeh Bakhsh, visit his page on our website!  

To be scheduled with a physician at Barrington Orthopedic Specialists, contact our office at (847) 285-4200 or schedule online here. For urgent needs when our physician’s offices are closed, visit our Immediate Orthopedic Care (IOC) in Schaumburg, Illinois