SpineLine Back Page: Behind the Mask
Steven T. Puccio, DO
If Steven T. Puccio, DO, hadn't gone into medicine, there's a good chance he'd be behind the wheel of a race car instead. When he's not caring for patients, you'll find him spending time with his son on the golf course, vacationing with his wife and son, or dreaming up the next great invention. We asked Dr. Puccio about his life inside and outside medicine, covering everything from his favorite travel destinations to the music that puts him in a good mood.
What’s your go-to breakfast before a long day in the clinic or OR?
Two eggs, toast, Vanilla Nurri, coffee
OR (or commute) playlist: Silence, music, or podcast? What’s playing?
Playlist: Tame Impala, Chris Stapleton, The Weeknd
Go-to snack to stay fueled during a long shift?
Protein bar
Favorite OR or clinic life hack?
Helping set up and turn over OR rooms
Favorite thing about an early morning start?
Early day finish
If you had to do a TED Talk on a nonmedical topic, what would it be?
How to drive a manual transmission car.
What’s the most surprising skill you have outside of medicine?
Comic relief for my staff – many funny stories to be told.
Coffee, tea, or something else?
Coffee or H2O
First thing you do when you walk into the hospital or clinic each day?
Set up my computer for the day. I greet and say hello to each member of my staff.
If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?
Leonardo Da Vinci – great dinner guest and renaissance man.
If you could instantly master any skill (medical or not), what would it be?
Magic
Do you collect anything?
Watches, racing helmets, and cars.
What book has had the biggest impact on you—medical or otherwise?
Inner Excellence by Jim Murphy
What’s a TV show or movie you’ve watched more times than you’d like to admit?
Top Gun
What’s your go-to way to unwind—hobby, sport, guilty pleasure?
Golf with my son.
Are you a dog person, cat person, some other type of pet person, or none of the above?
Dog, cat, and bird
If you had an extra hour in your day that wasn’t for work, how would you use it?
Coming up with the next greatest invention.
If you weren’t able to work in medicine, what completely different career would you choose?
Race car driver
What’s a song that always puts you in a good mood?
Van Morrison – Moondance
What’s your favorite phone app?
What’s the best meal you’ve ever had?
Omakase
What’s the best concert you’ve ever been to?
The Weeknd
What’s your favorite place you’ve traveled to?
Santorini, Greece