Volker K.H. Sonntag, MD, has held many positions over the years, ranging from a Jack in the Box fry cook to a chicken farmer to one of the most accomplished neurosurgeons in the world. Come next year, he will have a new title—retiree.

In mid-November, Dr. Sonntag performed the final surgery of literally thousands during his more than 31-year neurosurgical career. Those who know Dr. Sonntag best say he’s hinted at retirement for some time, but it was a combination of factors—such as celebrating his 65th birthday in November and seeing his youngest son off to college this fall—that helped him decide that 2009 would be the year. Another factor: He’s worked, and worked hard, since the age of 12.

“Ever since I stepped off the boat in 1957, I’ve worked,” reflects Dr. Sonntag. “But it’s been a terrific ride, with lots of ups and some downs.”

The boat he refers to is the vessel that brought a young Volker K.H. Sonntag and his refugee family to the United States from Germany for the beginning of what would become a real-life rags-to-riches story. It’s the story of a teenager who would learn English by watching the Mickey Mouse Club on TV and who would put himself through school by working odd jobs, eventually graduating as president of his medical school class and becoming a pioneer in the field of spinal surgery.

Forever modest, Dr. Sonntag attributes much of his success to being in the right place at the right time. He was operating a busy private practice covering five hospitals in the greater Phoenix area when Robert Spetzler, MD, recruited him to help form Barrow Neurosurgical Associates in 1983. The rest, as they say, is history.

Dr. Sonntag discovered a passion for spine and has since contributed significantly to the understanding of spinal disorders. He has written 500 professional articles, co-edited six major textbooks, authored more than 90 textbook chapters, and made 900 presentations throughout the world. He has been involved in the development of spine instrumentation (the use of rods, plates, and other devices in surgery) and played a major role in the shift of spinal surgery from a mainly orthopedic practice to the field of neurosurgery.

“Instrumentation of the spine was nearly unheard of 10 to 15 years ago. There has been a total paradigm shift,” he says.

“Dr. Sonntag has led and developed an incredibly strong spinal team at Barrow, which has become a place that people seek out for the most complex spinal cases,” says Dr. Spetzler, director of Barrow. “Although we will miss him terribly, we will continue to benefit from all of the wisdom that he has accrued.”

Dr. Sonntag also discovered a passion for teaching young physicians, and he has served as director of the Neurosurgery Residency Program since 1995. Barrow currently has the largest program in the country and one of the most sought after, with 24 active residents. Since Dr. Sonntag first came on board in 1983, Barrow has trained 138 residents and fellows. Today nearly half of them serve in academic positions.  “I’ve been fortunate to have contributed to the education of such a phenomenal group of residents and fellows, some of which are becoming chairs themselves now. It’s a very satisfying feeling,” he says.

Chief Resident Kumar Kakarla, MD, knew after meeting Dr. Sonntag during a medical school rotation at Barrow many years ago that this was where he belonged. Today, Dr. Kakarla is pursuing a career in spine largely because of Dr. Sonntag.  “I feel fortunate that I’ve been able to learn from a master and to have witnessed so many breakthroughs in spine at Barrow,” he says. “Dr. Sonntag is a very generous and humble man, and he considers everyone equal. He’s more than a teacher; he’s like a father figure. His retirement will be a tremendous loss for the residency program.”

In fact, one of the things that Dr. Sonntag says he’ll miss the most is the collegiality between Barrow’s residents and the attendings—something that is relatively unique to Barrow and that he has helped foster through emphasizing that residents are equal colleagues.

He has also been a key player in creating the “work hard, play hard” atmosphere that brings many staff members together after hours and on weekends for regular volleyball games, grueling hikes through the Grand Canyon, the annual Barrow Olympics, and  other activities.

Future residents, no doubt, will hear stories about Dr. Sonntag’s contributions to neurosurgery. But they’ll also hear stories about what kind of a person he is—a person that residents refer to as a second dad and a person that Dr. Spetzler refers to as his irreplaceable right-hand man.

They will hear stories about how Dr. Sonntag was able to find a balance between work and family and how he has always said that the three most important things in life are family, patient care, and educating residents and fellows. In fact, he considers his greatest accomplishments to be his 36-year marriage to his wife, Lynne, raising three children, and coaching their soccer teams for 16 years. None of it would have been possible, he says, without their “phenomenal support.”

So, what now? At the top of Dr. Sonntag’s post-retirement list is traveling with his wife. They plan to visit Antarctica and to spend time in California, where two of their children now live. Ironically, the first few months of next year are already booked solid with speaking engagements and visiting professorships.

He has also tossed around the idea of writing an autobiography, acknowledging that his journey to the top has been somewhat unusual. There’s no question that Dr. Sonntag has made a place for himself in the pages of history. What remains to be seen is what the next chapter brings. 

Dr. Sonntag’s legacy

Given that he has been a Barrow icon for more than 30 years, Dr. Sonntag won’t soon be forgotten. In fact, his legacy will be honored through at least two separate efforts.

First, the Alumni Spine Chair, an endowed chair that was established to honor Dr. Sonntag several years ago, will be renamed the Volker Sonntag Alumni Spine Chair. Endowed chairs enable nationally recognized physicians and scientists to pursue research and run laboratories, thus insuring continuous scientific contributions within a specialty area.

Also, early next year, a new educational pavilion will be designated the Sonntag Educational Pavilion. The proposed structure will be located outside the entry to the Marley Lobby and will provide much-needed additional space for large events, such as conferences, that are held in the Goldman Auditorium. A special event to dedicate the area and honor Dr. Sonntag is being planned for March 2010.

If you would like to honor Dr. Sonntag, please consider contributing to the fund for the Sonntag Educational Pavilion. For more information, contact Barrow Neurological Foundation at 602-406-3041.