To acknowledge the contribution influential men have made to the phenomenal growth Charlotte has experienced in recent years, South Charlotte Lifestyle Magazine has profiled the careers of three inspirational community leaders.
Dr. Eric M. Deshaies
Internationally renowned cerebrovascular, endovascular, and skull base tumor neurosurgeon, Dr. Eric M. Deshaies, recalls that his interest in the delicate intricacies of brain surgery and the ability to offer patients minimally-invasive procedures began at an early age.
After joining Novant Health in 2018, Dr. Deshaies has served as the Senior Vice President and System Physician Executive of the Novant Health Neuroscience and Psychiatry Institute since 2019. Currently, Dr. Deshaies spends a minimum of three days a week building the Novant Health program throughout North Carolina, Virginia and other regions of the Southeast, and two days a week treating patients.
Competition Sparks Innovation
Dr. Deshaies explains that the premier healthcare offered at Novant Health in the Charlotte, Winston Salem and Brunswick communities creates healthy competition and enables Novant Health to deliver excellent, uniquely innovative care to all patients. Dr. Deshaies has chosen to put his talents to work for Novant Health because the organization is “dedicated to delivering the best neurosurgical, spine, neurology and psychiatric care in the region.”
Dr. Deshaies credits Novant Health’s data, informatics and technology teams and the long-standing partnerships with artificial intelligence companies for the highly advanced technology and research development that has put its Neuroscience and Psychiatry Institute “on the leading edge, nationally.”
According to Dr. Deshaies, it’s this type of creativity, forethought and resiliency that has allowed Novant Health to “rapidly deliver medical telecommunications services to [their] patients in their homes to promote social distancing and adherence to guidelines that protect patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Telecommunications in the Wake of COVID-19
Dr. Deshaies warns that psychological and behavioral health experts expect a substantial increase in depression, anxiety and addiction disorders as a consequence of the government-mandated ‘stay in place’ orders that have been appropriately issued to halt the spread of COVID-19. The telecommunication services that have been particularly helpful to neurosurgical, neurology and behavioral health patients will be provided beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reiterating his unwavering commitment to providing patient care of the highest quality even in the face of the unprecedented challenge of the current pandemic, Dr. Deshaies asserts: “If we cannot commit to delivering excellent care to every patient every day, then we shouldn’t be in healthcare.”
Marc Habbouche, Burtons Area Director of Operations
Marc Habbouche came to Charlotte seven years ago and began working with Burtons Grill & Bar in 2016 to develop the area market for the unique blend of a chef-driven custom menu the upscale restaurant offers. Special care is taken to uphold the brand’s high standards of consistency, integrity and passion that can be found at each of the 17 company-owned locations across the United States.
Marc, Burtons Grill & Bar’s area director of operations, explains that as part of the chain’s mission to “Delight every Guest“ one at a time, the restaurant has a strong, continued commitment to a gluten-free, allergy-friendly menu prepared in its scratch kitchen. This means that unlike many eateries today, every component of every recipe prepared at Burtons is made fresh, often from local food sources, in the restaurant’s kitchen.
This is particularly important to Marc and his approach to food and life, as it allows him to use foods sourced from local vendors and farms to bring a “hyper-local” freshness to customers’ tables. The local component is vital because, as Marc points out, it is all about interconnectivity: “We are really in the relationship business; we just happen to sell food.”
Living the American Dream
Marc describes himself as a “prime example of the American dream,” having moved to the states from Beirut, Lebanon at the age of 13 due to the country’s civil war and the persecution of Christians, including his family. He credits his upbringing in Lebanon, where being self-sustaining was required for survival, with his cooking philosophy and his belief that we have an obligation to use seasonal ingredients and do our part to nurture Mother Earth.
Ethical Hunting
As part of his dedication to living off the land, for 25 years Marc has gone on hunting trips with his friend and travel writer, Jon R. Sundra, often under the auspices of Safari Club International, a group committed to ethical hunting and wildlife conservation. Marc explains these trips and articles, “feed his passion and continue his personal development.”
Marc’s commitment to customer service of the highest quality is evidenced in his decision to take on the duties of chef at Burtons’ Park Road location where they are now offering takeout and delivery options in response to COVID-19.
For more information, visit BurtonsGrill.com.
Dr. Stuart Burri
Dr. Stuart Burri is the Chairman of Radiation Oncology of the Levine Cancer Institute at Atrium Health and President of Southeast Radiation Oncology Group. A career in medicine appealed to Dr. Burri’s nature, as he has had a lifelong love of science and is a people person.
Dr. Burri has been practicing in Charlotte for 20 years, moving from Atlanta with his wife and family and sees the Queen City as a great place to live and practice medicine. In fact, he believes Charlotte is an “amazing medical community that can be underappreciated.”
Keys to Building a Successful Healthcare Team
Dr. Burri outlined essential elements for giving patients premier healthcare:
According to Dr. Burri, “In the field of radiation oncology, having state-of-the-art equipment is critical…You have to have the best tools to be the best. We’re lucky in Charlotte to have access to the highest quality machines.”
Team building is crucial. Dr. Burri explains: “In healthcare, the team is critical. You have to trust the entirety of the team around you to have the highest quality because you are only as strong as your weakest link.”
Virtual Visits
In response to COVID-19, Southeast Radiation Oncology has had to rapidly respond to patients' needs to meet social distancing requirements. Oncology patients must continue treatment but with immune systems that are already compromised, extra precautions have been put into place to ensure patients’ well-being, with crucial conversations about new and ongoing treatment plans being held over secure video links.
Dr. Burri has been impressed with the new adaptability he has seen emerge among hospital administrators, as flexibility and timely response to the pandemic has been prioritized. Dr. Burri believes virtual care will continue as an option after COVID-19 abates because it has been shown to be a useful tool in offering patients increased support, bringing more family members into important discussions, and resolving geographic and transportation issues.
