11.05.24
New York City Profiles: Dr Todd Hanna, surgeon
Thomas Pink took a trip to the Big Apple to photograph an eclectic group of New Yorkers in our shirts. Here, Dr Hanna tells us about his love of Central Park, his preppy style and why work, for him, is a form of escape
Where do you live/work?
I live and work in Manhattan, New York. My home, private office and hospital are all within 10 blocks from one another. This allows me to be readily available and gives me back some free time from having a short commute.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Wake at 6am. 15-20 minutes of non-sleep deep rest (NSDR). I get all of the lights on and the blinds are set to go up at sunrise. Coffee, black. Vitamins with a tablespoon of olive oil. A 5k run in Central Park with my dog, Panucci. Hospital days are twice per week and start at 7:30am. I usually end at about 6:30pm but sometimes I can be operating until midnight for big reconstruction cases. Office days are three times per week, starting at 8:30am. I do minor surgeries in the morning while I’m fresh, and see new consultations and post-op patients in the afternoon. I’m usually home around 6:30pm on office days too. When I get home, I have my third or fourth cup of coffee, take the dog for a walk, and eat an early dinner. I follow up on work emails and phone calls, and then I unwind for a bit. At about 8:30pm I get to the gym for a workout; mostly weight training and callisthenics for an hour. I’m home by 10pm, have a shower and a healthy dessert (usually fruit, Greek yoghurt, Lily’s low- sugar salted caramel chocolate chips, and low-fat whipped cream). I’m in bed by 11:30pm and go to sleep listening to an audio book. Repeat. Weekends are less structured, and I spend most of that time with loved ones and my dog. I enjoy eating out and local entertainment such as concerts, comedy shows and the ballet.
What do you love most about your job?
The relationships. You get to know people at a very intimate level. They come to you seeking help with their physical form, an aesthetic area of insecurity, a trauma or tumour-related deformity, or a condition that threatens their mortality. The connection that you build with people is incredibly deep. Second to that, I love the artistry and craftsmanship of doing facial surgery. I love working with my hands. I love seeing the beautiful changes evolve and then seeing someone’s confidence skyrocket. I feel like the luckiest person in the world sometimes because I get to make a living doing something that I absolutely love. For many people, work is a source of stress, but for me, work is in many ways an escape.
And what are the biggest challenges?
Balancing personal and professional life is always a challenge. My balance tends to be what many may consider an imbalance towards work, but it works for me. I feel blessed to be busy doing what I love.
What are your favourite things to see/do in New York?
Central Park is one of the most common sites visitors see in New York, yet few people really explore it fully. It’s a massive park filled with history and nature, and one should really spend a full day there from time to time just exploring it. As for shops and places to eat and drink etc, I really like neighbourhood spots that stand the test of time, and places where you can get to know people. Blue Ribbon Sushi and Benoit are some of my favourite go-to spots to eat. I also like Carbone and RedFarm. Also, the museums in New York are amazing. The Met is my favourite.
How would you describe New York in three words?
Efficient. Ambitious. Real.
How would you describe your personal style?
Preppy academic meets European casual, with a touch of jock.
How has your taste in fashion changed over the years?
I’ve learned to take more chances and be less afraid to be bold. Sometimes a suit over a V-neck tee or a gold watch with sneakers is appropriate. I think that spending years as a student, resident, fellow and young attending doctor can make one afraid to stand out too much because you feel like you’re always supposed to act and look a certain way to avoid negative attention. “The proud nail gets the hammer” as they say. I think I’m at a point in my life and career where I’m less concerned about that and it’s a lot of fun.
Who are your style icons?
Robert Redford, Frank Sinatra and Jay-Z.
What do you look for in a shirt?
A clean, precise fit with very little extra fabric. When I tuck a shirt into my trousers, it should not feel like I’m bunching up a lot of extra cloth. The lines should be smooth and the shirt should sit close to the body. I prefer quieter patterns and colours to let the suit or tie make more of a statement. Light blues, gingham checks, banker stripe... And I can never have enough crisp white Oxfords. Collars and cuffs are where I will get playful with shirts. I usually like a cut-away for a preppy look or a soft Roma spread collar for a more formal look. For cuffs, I like angled or rounded with two buttons so you can leave the second button undone. I rarely wear French cuffs but when I do, like with a tux or formal suit, I like a double French and usually silk knot cufflinks.
Follow Dr Doctor Todd Hanna on @doctor.hanna
