Dr. David Gordon & Marisha Pessl
David and Marisha's decision to relocate from Manhattan to Bedford with their three daughters, aged 7, 5, and 2, may appear to be a personal choice. However, the truth behind their move is that David was actually recruited for professional reasons. He has assumed the prestigious role of Chief of Neurosurgery at Phelps Hospital, in addition to being appointed as the Chair of Neurosurgery at Northern Westchester Hospital. Furthermore, David has taken on the position of Regional Chair of Neurosurgery for Northwell Health in Westchester. With his arrival, the local communities can now benefit from the immediate availability of world-class neurosurgical services offered at Northern Westchester and Phelps Hospitals.
David
Originally from Cherry Hill, New Jersey, David's remarkable journey toward becoming a neurosurgeon was influenced by his early experiences and encounters. Initially, he pursued a career as a compassionate neuropsychologist, serving on the faculty at Temple University, which happened to be conveniently close by. During his formative years at Cherry Hill East public high school, he found inspiration and guidance from a caring English teacher who ignited his passion for reading and literature. This newfound focus led him to enroll as an English major at Brown University.
However, it was during his time at Brown that David's life took a transformative turn. It was in a captivating neuroscience course that he discovered his true calling. On the very first day of class, the professor posed a profound question, asking who among the students wished to stay and partake in the enlightening experience of dissecting a human brain. Without a moment's hesitation, David eagerly volunteered, and at that moment, he felt an indescribable connection that would shape his path for a lifetime.
David is not an average brain surgeon; he possesses exceptional expertise and specialization in the intricate realm of cerebrovascular and skull base concerns. His focus lies in treating the most challenging and hard-to-reach areas of the brain. With extensive knowledge and skill, David excels in employing both open-surgical techniques and catheter-based procedures to address a wide range of conditions, including brain aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, stroke, and tumors. David's impressive educational background speaks volumes about his dedication to his craft. He embarked on his medical journey at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, acquiring a solid foundation in the field. Subsequently, he pursued his residency in neurological surgery at the esteemed University of Washington, further honing his surgical skills. Continuing his pursuit of excellence, David completed his training at the prestigious Albert Einstein College of Medicine, deepening his understanding of neurosurgery.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to help lead the neurosurgery effort for Northwell at Northern Westchester/Phelps," David expresses appreciatively. "I was attracted by the exceptional skill of the doctors who were at both hospitals, and I was empowered by the hospital and regional Northwell leadership to bring in select specialists to give the group world-class capabilities in every facet of neurosurgery. Any programmatic build is ultimately about the people - and we've assembled the best! We're capable of the most complex procedures, and we're focused on developing safer methods of accessing and treating brain disorders."
"Our team is dedicated to collaboration, and I believe that our team approach to analysis and treatment is the only effective way to treat the brain."
"I understand that everything we do has to be perfect. That our patients expect the best result, and that just very good isn't good enough. It is brain surgery! Best practice requires a patient-centered, truly multidisciplinary approach, and I feel lucky to have such outstanding colleagues," David says with a measure of pride and confidence. "But I also understand what our patients are going through - and that our empathy and compassion is an essential part of our care."
In situations where every minute and second counts, such as with aneurysms, stroke, and other brain disorders, the availability of exceptional neurosurgery services becomes incredibly vital. The proximity of such high-quality care becomes hyper-critical, as it can mean the difference between life and death. The convenience of having access to this level of medical expertise without the need to travel to Manhattan is paramount. It is essential to recognize the significance of promptly contacting Dr. Gordon and adding his number to your speed dial, as it may be the crucial difference when it truly matters.
Marisha
In poetic contrast to David’s life-saving heroics, Marisha is a professional killer. …Or at least she’s started each of her New York Times Best Seller thrillers with a murder. She’s authored Special Topics in Calamity Physics (Viking), which involves the hanging of a charismatic teacher at the St. Gallway prep school, Night Film (Random House), the serpentine investigation into the daughter’s death of a reclusive and underground horror filmmaker, and Neverworld Wake, about a group of teens stuck living the same day over and over, which will only relent when they solve the murder of one of their best friends. “I suppose I write ‘literary mysteries’ because I use the structure of a mystery story to investigate human themes of life, death, legacy, betrayal, loss, and everything in between,” Marisha explains. “I’ve always loved the writing process, building a world and a cast of compelling characters from scratch. I started writing when I was six - on my mom’s old Smith Corona typewriter – and even then, I was writing mysteries. To be a mystery writer is to be a magician, creating a magnetic illusion, diverting the reader’s eyes to be focused on this little red herring over here, while laying the foundation for utter surprise. Building a splendid magic trick – that leaves the reader breathless on the final page – is an art. And I’m always learning.
Marisha's upbringing in Asheville, North Carolina shaped her educational and artistic journey. She began her schooling at the prestigious Asheville School before graduating from Asheville High School. Reflecting on her childhood, Marisha fondly recalls, "Television was not a prominent feature in our home. Watching a movie was a special occasion for the whole family and served as our primary form of entertainment. I had a passion for writing stories but also had a penchant for theater, participating in various children's plays such as Oliver! and The Wizard of Oz."
“I used to write night and day - often while I was at work,” Marisha admits. “When I met David I was just about to release my second book, Night Film. It was love at first sight - for both of us - and after three weeks of constant phone calls, David joined me on my European book tour. We had the best time!” David smiles and adds, “It was probably the first time I had off since the summer after I graduated college, and I was lucky to get to see Marisha doing the book tour. From the beginning, I’ve always seen her as a rock star. And now, being a full-time author and a full-time mom and a full-time wife - all at the same time…she’s a superhero!”
The couple were married in 2015 and have three very precocious young daughters: Winter, Avalon, and Raine. The girls have already taken to Bedford. Winter and Avalon are enrolled at Rippowam Cisqua, where David serves on the Board, and Raine is starting out at St. Matthew’s Preschool. The girls ride horses and take ballet in New Canaan. Marisha smiles and says, “The kids already have the reading and writing bug. They each have their own typewriter. Winter already wants to be published.” David adds, “And we have a lot of music in the house, and the girls have already formed a band. I play guitar - poorly - but we all have a great time singing Dylan and The Beatles, and making up new songs of our own.”
David and Marisha seem to have perspective. What another intellectual, former N.Y. Knick and U.S. Senator Bill Bradley, called ‘A Sense of Where You Are’. David gets that what he does is special, but has managed to get his ego out of the way and focus on service to others. He volunteers each year, going to Ulan Bator in Mongolia in order to teach Mongolian surgeons advanced techniques in neurosurgery. “I learn more from the experience than they do,” David says humbly. “I am constantly impressed by the honesty, transparency, and stoicism of the Mongolians I treat. The way they thank me for my diagnosis - even when it’s a reality that’s hard to accept. I’ve learned about humanity and grace.” And Marisha adds, “Yeah, David may see me as a superhero, and what he does really does mean the difference between life and death for others, but at home, we’re the typical family - entirely focused on providing a safe, supportive, happy and culturally rich environment for our children. …And we’ve found a real home in Bedford!”