Ever since he was a child, Dr. Chadi Tannoury has been drawn to the artistry of the human body. He filled his sketchbooks with detailed drawings of each bone, each muscle, and each joint-and how all those small parts joined together to create the whole. Now, as an esteemed, award-winning orthopedic spine surgeon and the medical director of orthopedic clinic at Boston Medical Center (BMC), Dr. Tannoury combines his artist's eye with surgical precision to treat complex concerns, such as degenerative conditions or spinal traumas, with both traditional and advanced minimally invasive techniques. Through unique minimally invasive interventions perfected by him, Dr. Tannoury is able to restore mobility and hope in his patients and leave a lasting impact on their lives.
We sat down with Dr. Tannoury to learn about this fascinating intersection of art and medicine that has had such an impact on his remarkable career.
1. Why did you choose to specialize in orthopedics?
From the time I was a little kid, I was intrigued by the capabilities of the human body. Throughout my childhood that was manifested through my pull toward the arts, and my drawing was always of the human body. I was fascinated by each joint and muscle, and their interconnectedness within the larger bodily function and systems. This later transformed into my academic inclination toward the fields of anatomy and medicine. As I went through my medical training, my passion for the human body and fascination with its abilities was reignited in my orthopedic rotation. That's when it all came together for me.
2. What brought you to BMC?
A muscle or joint in isolation has little value; like in the arts, you must look at the big picture. Vice versa, it's important to look-and treat-the small details to improve the bigger picture or the body at large. Likewise, BMC's mission of holistic yet exceptional and specialized care speaks directly to this patient care approach. That resonated with me and continues to guide me here at BMC.
3. What keeps you at BMC?
By the act of going to work, we at BMC are combating historic oppression, breaking down systemic barriers, and delivering world-class care to patients that would otherwise not have that kind of access. In other professions you may find yourself engaging in similar endeavors through means of mission-based organizations external to your place of work. At BMC, it's one in the same.
4. What inspires you?
I found and continue to find much joy through art. I have poured my artistic side into medical illustration and have subsequently supplemented my own academic work and designed medical book covers and schematic illustrations for a variety of colleagues and collaborators. To work with medical professionals and academics in this capacity has been and continues to be a bright spot throughout my journey in medicine.
Beside arts, I continue to be inspired by my colleagues’ exceptional talents, by our staff’s unwavering dedication to patient care, by the healing power we have been gifted, by our patients’ unique stories of hope and resilience, and by BMC’s mission.
5. What is your proudest career moment?
There was a patient who I operated on for a profound paralysis. Two years later, I received a "Thank You" note from the patient's child sharing that the patient was able to independently walk them down the aisle on their wedding day. Like the little details in art, those moments in time illustrate how the work we do has the ability to transcend beyond our walls and leave a lasting effect on a person's life. To have a role in that, in anyone's life, is an honor and a privilege.
