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Elizabeth Horn
Dr. Nick Osborne brings extensive expertise and leadership to his roles as Director of BMC2 Vascular Surgery and, more recently, as Director of BMC2. He is recognized for his impactful work as Associate Professor of Surgery and Associate Program Director for the Michigan Medicine Vascular Surgery residency and fellowship programs. Dr. Osborne serves patients at both the Frankel Cardiovascular Center and the Ann Arbor VA Hospital, where he is Chief of Surgery. His reputation as a leader in quality improvement and author of many manuscripts is well established. Now, we invite you to get to know Dr. Osborne on a more personal level through this candid Q&A.
What is a fun experience that you recently had?
My family went to Hawaii for the first time. It was breathtaking - the beaches, the mountains, the people and pride in their culture. All amazing. The sunrise atop Haleakalā was beautiful and moving. You have to get up at 3 am to drive to the park along a winding switchback-heavy road. Then you arrive in this serene, cold dawn atop a 10,000-foot mountain to watch the sun rise above the clouds. As the sun lights the mountain, you see the volcanic crater. It feels like you are on another planet. Simply amazing.
What books on your shelf are begging to be read?
I read a lot of non-fiction. I have loved reading all the Erik Larson books - Devil in the White City, In the Garden of Beasts, The Splendid and the Vile, and The Demon of Unrest.
I love reading books about history. I recently read Nimitz at War by Craig Symond. This is a fascinating book about a truly amazing leader who was instrumental in winning the war in the Pacific. I’m currently reading another Craig Symond book - World War II at Sea. This massive book goes through the Atlantic and Pacific fronts of World War II.
If I had to pick another book right now, it would probably be An Unfinished Love Story, a memoir by Doris Kearns Goodwin. She is an amazing historian and author who wrote Team of Rivals, among many other great books. The book is about her experience in the 1960s, when her husband was on JFK’s staff, and she is uniquely positioned as a historian.
What's something you love to do and haven't done in a while?
Sailing. I grew up sailing with my family in a boat on the coast of Maine. I rarely get to go sailing anymore. If I could find time, I would love to have a boat (moneypit.) I love the ocean, and I feel most at home on the water. Although my wife isn’t so keen on living on a boat, I would gladly live on a boat and sail around the world. She said she would fly to each port of call and meet me there!
What's something you could talk about for hours and not get bored?
I am probably not the biggest talker. I can talk politics and history with just about anyone if they are interested. My father ran a radio station in Concord, NH, and I grew up surrounded by politics. New Hampshire is the first-in-the-nation primary, and he was fortunate to meet and interview most of the presidential candidates from Richard Nixon to George W. Bush.
What's your favorite season and why?
I love all the seasons. Growing up in New Hampshire, I was a ski racer, and so winter has always been special to me. I love the snow and the feeling of the cold on your face. The smell of the cold, dry air and the feel of crisp, newly fallen snow under your boots - it just brings me back. I also love fall- the changing colors, apples, the cool nights, and warm days.
What's one Michigan gem you think everyone should check out?
Everyone needs to make the long trip up to Keweenaw. The Upper Peninsula is rugged and untouched beauty. It is a place to get away from technology and be in nature. I love the copper veins cutting through the rocks running into Lake Superior, the cloudberries and thimbleberries, and the bald eagles.
If you had a surprise day off, how would you spend it?
I would probably putter around the house and do some home projects. On a recent weekend, I fixed my dryer with my kids. It had stopped heating, so I took it apart and replaced a bad thermistor - a simple fix, honestly. I always seem to have home projects to work on!
If you could instantly become an expert in anything unrelated to work, what would it be? Why?
I wish I could become a master chef. I love cooking and the precision, but also the art of cooking appeals to me. It doesn’t seem that dissimilar to surgery. You make something tangible at the end, and there is instant gratification.
What's a small work habit that makes a big difference in your day?
As I have acquired more leadership and administrative roles, my schedule has become increasingly challenging to manage – especially with my U-M and VA calendars that don’t “talk to each other.” As a result, I’ve implemented new habits. I purposely schedule one hour each Monday to catch up on tasks and plan the necessary must-dos for the week. This has helped me stay organized.
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To learn more about Dr. Osborne’s past work and plans, read "A New Dawn: Advancing Surgeon Well-Being at BMC2" in the November issue of the BCBSM Value Partnerships Update.