Remembering Barrow Employee Gary Armstrong
Our friend and colleague Gary Armstrong, photographer and videographer in the Barrow Marketing Department, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 23.
Gary was an essential part of the team at Barrow Neurological Institute for more than 15 years. He spent most of those years in the neurosurgery operating room, running intraoperative video while also capturing stunning photography of our neurosurgeons at work.
When Gary applied for the OR photographer position in the Multimedia Lab, which later became the BNI Informatics Department, it had already been filled. But the new hire stopped showing up after two weeks.
Barrow audiovisual expert Craig Carnell looked over Gary’s resume and liked what he saw—including Gary’s videography work with the Anaheim Angels, for which he earned a World Series ring, and his Bachelor of Fine Arts in film production. He invited Gary in for an interview and showed him around the neurosurgery OR, explaining what the role would entail.
“I asked if any of the surgery that he saw would bother him and if he could handle it,” Craig recalled. “Gary said, ‘Looks fine to me. I have no problem.’”
With that, Gary was hired.
“After I showed him the ropes of doing the job, he ran with it and made it his own,” Craig said. “He started to improve on the workflow of being the OR photographer.”
Innovating in the OR
Gary set up the new multimedia office in the neurosurgery OR and began growing its arsenal of photo and video equipment. He acquired a camera mount called a jib, which allowed him to unobtrusively capture overhead shots of spine surgeries.
Gary embodied the Institute’s culture of innovation. When neurosurgeon Nader Sanai, MD, began performing awake brain tumor surgeries, Gary invented and built a device he called “the octopus.” With this mobile setup, Dr. Sanai could view the patient’s face, the speech pathologist’s assessment, footage from the light camera, and the image guidance display simultaneously.
“Gary was an incredibly kind and good-natured human being,” Dr. Sanai said. “He was always ready to help so many of us, in the operating room and beyond.”
Gary also developed a special wheel block to protect the video cable that extended from the microscope to the ceiling. The block nudged the cable out of the way whenever the OR staff repositioned the microscope. He created and tested the prototype, received a patent with the help of the Barrow Innovation Center, and saved the Institute the costs of frequently replacing crushed cables.
Gary worked when the neurosurgeons did, which often meant extremely long days at the hospital.
“He would have many days well beyond 12 hours,” said Director of Informatics Judd Shaft. “He would just tell me, ‘Yep, it’s been really busy, with a lot of complex cases. Getting some great photos, though.’ Truly a professional, with a professional’s attitude.”
Former Barrow President and CEO Robert F. Spetzler, MD, called Gary an integral member of the team, who allowed the surgeons to make better presentations.
“His insistence on excellence was greatly appreciated,” Dr. Spetzler said. “He will be greatly missed.”
In 2020, Gary began his transition to the marketing team to fill the newly created photographer and videographer position. His talent and passion for visual storytelling elevated not only our marketing assets but the Institute’s education efforts as well.
Transforming Neurosurgery Education
Gary was key to the launch and success of Barrow Neurosurgery Base Camp, a unique web show that has brought the teaching rounds of Michael T. Lawton, MD, and Juan Uribe, MD, to the masses.
“Gary was immensely talented and had a knack for capturing our unusual activity as neurosurgeons,” said Dr. Lawton, President and CEO of Barrow. “The various social media and marketing projects that we worked on together were our way of broadcasting to the world the unique environment that is the BNI operating room. I felt like we had a meaningful outlet for his creativity, and our products like Barrow Base Camp reflected this.
“It’s difficult to lose someone who seemingly had hit his stride and had so much more to give,” Dr. Lawton continued. “Gary’s untimely passing makes me appreciate that we are all so fragile, that life is a fleeting gift, and that we cannot take our teammates for granted.”
Gary has also been involved in the filming and editing of countless other videos, including promotions for residency recruitment, Q&As for patient education, and patient testimonials.
Passion for Storytelling
Gary’s dedication to authentic storytelling was apparent in many ways, including his willingness to ride along in an off-road vehicle with a patient who happened to be a professional race car driver.
“Gary loaded up his camera equipment, attached GoPro cameras to the side of the vehicle, and we hit the desert,” Judd recalled, adding that the patient didn’t hesitate to show his racing tricks. “Gary was the other professional in the car; he never took a break from filming. He knew his job was to capture the moment, and that he did. I will never forget that day, with a really great colleague and an even better friend.”
While Gary recorded many stories of healing, he also filmed important stories of hardship.
“I will always remember working with Gary on the Barrow video that was created to document and honor the work of our BNI Neuroscience ICU nurses who rose to the challenge in caring for COVID-19 patients during the pandemic,” said Director of Marketing Brianne Burrowes. “Gary was nervous for that video shoot, as we began capturing footage in the early days of the pandemic. At the time, we didn’t really know as much about the virus, how contagious it was, and if we ourselves would get it. But, he put sharing our nurses’ stories above that fear, and the video was some of his best work.”
A Lasting Impact
Gary’s commitment to his craft, and to the mission at Barrow, was evident in the amount of time and energy he dedicated to each project. He was meticulous with every step of his process, from scouting locations to refining his own lighting hacks to delivering a polished edit. He also had a knack for putting his subjects at ease.
“Gary had such a special way of making everyone feel comfortable with his warm and welcoming personality,” said Karissa Secora, a physician assistant in the Lewis Headache Center. “With the BNI APP group, he went out of his way to make us laugh and smile while capturing amazing photos. He will truly be missed.”
Gary will also be remembered by his colleagues as a team player—whether he was offering his expertise, volunteering to help with office relocations, or lending an ear during personal life struggles.
Barrow PGY-6 neurosurgery resident Arnau Benet, MD, shared how Gary helped him to prepare for his Barrow Global course in Peru.
“He sat by my side for an hour to help me make sure I had the proper gear and that I was set for success,” Dr. Benet said. “He was extremely kind and always had a moment for my crazy ideas and projects. A lot of what I know about medical photography is thanks to him.”
Gary always joked that his services would cost Dr. Benet a bar of dark chocolate.
“I’m glad I gave him two before I left,” Dr. Benet said. “I am real sad at the prospect of not seeing him anymore when I return and grateful for his impact on my life. I am better because of him.”
Gary also enjoyed talking with his colleagues about his woodworking projects, his insider knowledge of Disneyland, and his love of old movies. During the holidays, he loaded up his equipment cart with thoughtful Christmas gifts for staff, calling it “Santa’s sleigh.”
“Gary’s kindness and big heart impacted many across the organization,” Brianne said. “Although he was behind the camera for his projects, his impact through his videos and photos will live on.”
–By Christina O’Haver, Barrow Marketing
Gary’s kindness and big heart impacted many across the organization. Although he was behind the camera for his projects, his impact through his videos and photos will live on.
Brianne Burrowes, Director of Marketing
