George Berci started working at Cedars-Sinai in 1970 and helped introduce endoscopic and laparoscopic procedures to a number of fields, including gynecology, urology, and pediatrics. A Holocaust survivor, Berci started his surgical career in 1953 in Budapest, Hungary, where he helped establish one of the world’s first experimental surgery programs.
AGE 95
TITLE: Senior Director, Minimally Invasive Surgery Research
COMPANY: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles
How many hours a week do you work?
40.
Why not retire?
I can still contribute to my field. I’m a general surgeon who became interested in endoscopic surgery and helped develop a system where we don’t open up the patient. Instead, we make a small hole and insert an instrument hooked up to a video camera and observe it on a large TV screen. The patient is not as explored, has less postoperative pain, a shorter hospitalization time, and can return to activities more quickly. Now I’m selecting new topics that I would like to help develop or introduce in clinical application. This is how you can guarantee further evolution and teaching the younger generations.
Does your family want you to retire?
No. My family doesn’t believe I can do it.
Best part of working past 80?
I emigrated from Hungary to Australia as a young surgeon, and as a foreigner, you had to work harder. The best part of working past 80 is seeing the clinical results of my work are successful and seeing if they are accepted internationally. I enjoy coming to work every day.
Are you up to date on technology?
I would like to think so. We have a magnificent simulation center at Cedars-Sinai, which makes it easier to teach certain parts of technical procedures. It’s a different ballgame today than with previous surgical techniques.
What is the best advice you ever got?
Do not give up.
What advice would you give to people who want to work well past 65?
Try to find an interesting subject and to explore further avenues.
What’s the secret to staying healthy and active?
I do not know, but I do a lot of walking around the hospital, which helps contribute to keeping me in shape.
Do you work as much as you used to in your 40s and 50s?
No. I used to put in about 12 hours a day, plus the night calls.
How has your work routine changed?
My work routine changes according to the topics I am working on. Sometimes I am working inside labs testing medical instruments and sometimes I’m working inside the office on a manuscript, book chapter, observing in the operating room, or teaching.
What do you miss the most about being young?
Playing violin. When I started music at age 3 I was happy.
What do you see in the future?
I hope to see better education, increased exchange of positive ideas in the political areas, and an improved economy.
– Subrina Hudson
