Dr. Ulrika Sandvik operates on children’s brains at Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. Ten years into her neurosurgery career, one refugee child’s case shook her so deeply that she enrolled in philosophy classes to find answers.

In this episode, Dr. Sandvik reveals:

- How a refugee girl from Africa became her "tipping point" into philosophy & medical ethics

- Serving on ethics boards: assisted suicide, AI in surgery, and sanctity of life

- Why West Africa has only 1 neurosurgeon per 1.7 million people — and what she's doing about it

- What it’s like being an expedition medical officer to Antarctica (15-hour whiteout journey)

- How her grandfather’s life shaped her values of resilience, pushing boundaries, and balancing grit with curiosity

From a Finnish farm with no academic role models to the operating rooms of one of the world's most prestigious medical institutions, Dr. Sandvik's journey spans continents, disciplines, and the deepest questions about human life.

Story by A. David Singh: Harry Potter’s 11th birthday

Mentioned in this episode:

Swedish African Neurosurgery Collaboration: https://www.sanc.se

Swedish Polar Research Secretariat: https://www.polar.se/en

Ulrika’s textile art: https://www.instagram.com/aurorabotanicasthlm

ABOUT ME: I'm an author, proud dog-dad, neurosurgeon, & medical podcaster. Welcome to my website: https://www.adavidsingh.com

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