David Greenwald

A Neurosurgeon with over 20 years of experience, Dr. David Greenwald, M.D., F.A.C.S., is Co-founder and Neurosurgeon at Comprehensive MD. The Fort Lauderdale-based medical group has a patient-first mentality and specializes in treating neurological and orthopedic conditions. They feature state-of-the-art technology to help treat patients from head to toe. Dr. Greenwald helps patients overcome sleep disorders, migraines, neck pain, numbness in the body, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), and even strokes. He received his medical degree from the University of Southern California and trained at the University of Florida. With a passion to help others better live their lives, he is on a mission to help heal the world one patient at a time.

Where did the idea for your career come from?

Our goal was to provide a surgically based practice with an emphasis on neurospine, general orthopedic, and interventional pain management treatment across multiple locations in the South Florida market.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

Patients are seen three days a week in our Fort Lauderdale and Miami offices. We perform surgery two days a week, either in the hospital or in an outpatient setting. Close interaction between the surgical providers allows for rapid referral and treatment from one specialty to the other.

How do you bring ideas to life?

Frequent communication among the providers allows for identification of areas of improvement.

What’s one trend that excites you?

Right now, I am excited about the advances in motion-sparing technology that can stabilize and preserve motion in both the cervical and lumbar spine.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

Frequent study and reading in areas of weakness is critical to entrepreneurial success.

What advice would you give your younger self?

First, I would say to respect red flags. If something is not right, do not ignore it. Address it head-on. Secondly, I would say to be patient. Do not rush things, just let them develop on their timeline.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

The future of healthcare will be enhanced by technology but not defined by it. I also believe the human component will remain the centerpiece of successful medical care in the future.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

You have to be very honest with the weak points in your practice or business and be open to criticism, while never ignoring those weaknesses.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

When you’re starting a business, there’s no nine to five aspect. You have to do your job and do it well. On the hours outside of the job, you also have to get out and meet clients if you need to. You have to be prepared to put in a 24/7 effort to get a practice off the ground and be successful.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

There’s been a couple of times where I’ve been in some practices with poor partnerships. If it does not pan out after trying to make it work, you have to be willing to start over and even go back to square one.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

This was a hard one because my business is medicine. However, I’ve looked at how successful ride-sharing is that extends to things like Uber Eats and even does shopping for you. With that being said, many patients need transportation to and from doctor’s offices, MRI and CT scans, and hospitals. Because that area is not well served right now, I believe there could be a good market for that in the future with transportation services that cater to healthcare.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

I think you have to take care of yourself if you’re in a physical job. As a surgeon, we stand and lean a lot, which can lead to a lot of neck problems. So for me, I would say getting a good massage once a week is my best $100.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

The one I use frequently is called Epocrates. It is a pharmaceutical app on your phone that knows every medication, dosage, and possible negative interactions.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

Good to Great by Jim Collins is a great book for somebody who’s starting a business. It examines businesses that have gone from good to great or successful to hyper-successful and how they do that.

What is your favorite quote?

“You will face many defeats in life, but don’t let yourself be defeated.”

Key Learnings:

• Frequent study and reading in areas of weakness is critical to entrepreneurial success.
• The future of healthcare will be enhanced by technology but not defined by it.
• You have to be very honest with the weak points in your practice or business and be open to criticism, while never ignore those weaknesses.
• “You will face many defeats in life, but don’t let yourself be defeated.”