Student Spotlight: A Neurosurgeon in the Making

Lindsey Bailey is taking pre-med here at NIC and has great ambitions for the future.  She plans on attending Baylor University after NIC and becoming a neurosurgeon.  

“[The brain] is like outer space.  We know so much about it, but there’s a lot we still don’t know and we haven’t been able to reach even in some parts of the brain.” 

The fact that, as a neurosurgeon, one holds other’s lives in one’s hands doesn’t deter Bailey in the slightest.  The challenge and the opportunity to help others in a life-or-death situation makes her want to do it more. 

With the help of Gail Laferriere at the NIC Career Services office, Bailey said she has had the chance to connect with and shadow one of America’s top neuroscientists, Dr. James Demakas.  Through this opportunity, she gets to work with the Gamma Knife, a machine that removes tumors and performs other surgeries on the brain as an alternative to traditional radiation therapy. 

“The new technologies out there [are] amazing,” Bailey said, “Like, you can practice very complex surgery with virtual reality and continue to practice without taking that risk.”  

Bailey encourages other students to never give up on their dreams. 

“If there’s something specific you want to do, don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do it,” Bailey said, “Wanting to be a neurosurgeon, that’s huge.  That’s a huge goal.  And I’ve had people tell me, have a back-up plan.  But I’ve been sticking closer to the people who are there supporting me, that know I can do it.  Don’t listen to people who say you can’t.  Keep going even if it’s crazy.”