Dr Corneliu Bacauanu is a retired medical doctor specializing in pathology and internal medicine, medical school educator, fitness coach, writer, lifelong learner, and community builder living in Canada.
Dear Subscribers,
Today, I will introduce you to another great professional and leader in the healthcare industry. Every so often, we meet someone whose professional accomplishments are impressive, but whose character leaves an even deeper impression. Dr. Corneliu Bacauanu MD is one of those rare individuals. Over the past few years of interacting with him in our writing and reading community, I have come to appreciate not only his extensive medical knowledge but also his humility, generosity, and genuine desire to improve the lives of others.
I call him Dr. Cornel as a friend. As a physician who practiced medicine for over four decades across three continents, Dr. Cornel brings a wealth of clinical experience. Yet what distinguishes him is his willingness to continue learning long after retirement. He approaches medicine, nutrition, neuroscience, fitness, and personal development with the curiosity of a lifelong student, constantly seeking better ways to understand health and human potential.
I was particularly pleased to invite him to this interview because he represents the kind of healthcare professional our communities value deeply. He appreciates that genuine well-being extends beyond treating disease and includes physical health, mental resilience, lifelong learning, meaningful relationships, and purposeful living. His thoughtful contributions consistently reflect this broader perspective.
Beyond his professional expertise, Dr. Cornel has become a valued member of our community. He generously shares practical knowledge, engages respectfully with fellow writers, and encourages meaningful conversations that inspire learning and personal growth. I personally always gain new insights and perspectives from his stories and valuable comments.
Rather than revealing his remarkable journey here, I will allow his own authentic words to tell his life story. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I enjoyed conducting it, and that you discover the same wisdom, compassion, and authenticity that have made Dr. Cornel such a respected voice among our readers and writers.
Hi, Dr. Cornel! Welcome. Let’s start with a bit about your background.
Hi, Dr. Yildiz. Thank you for the opportunity. I’d like to share a little about my background. I describe myself as a retired student because I retired earlier this year after 43 years of practicing medicine across three continents.
For as long as I can remember, I have been searching for answers to fundamental questions about life, both for myself and for the people around me. Throughout my career, I worked to improve medical protocols and treatments based on scientific progress and firsthand observations.
I was a tutor for undergraduate and postgraduate medical students. I also taught international medical graduates, helping them prepare for and pass their qualifying examinations.
Today, I write, conduct nutrition and dietary experiments, coach people with disabilities, and keep myself physically fit.
I was born in Bucharest, Romania, and I do not have any siblings. From an early age, I understood what it meant to grow up under a dictatorial regime.
My parents were ordinary workers living in a communist country with limited resources. That experience shaped my resilience and taught me empathy for people who struggle every day to put food on the table.
I grew up with my maternal grandparents, and that was the happiest part of my life. My grandfather was an exceptional carpenter, at least fifty years ahead of his time. He combined iron and wood in innovative ways, laying the foundation for what would later be known as mechanical carpentry. He owned his own factory until 1948, when the communist regime nationalized it.
He taught me to play chess, and I became fascinated with what I now think of as the “mind game” from a very young age. He was also a gifted storyteller who filled my childhood with unforgettable stories.
His craftsmanship ultimately saved his life and his family’s during the Second World War because his skills were indispensable. That remarkable story deserves its own telling and will become a major part of the memoir I hope to write one day in tribute to my grandfather.
My grandmother was my nanny and an outstanding family cook. She prepared delicious meals entirely from scratch.
I received a good education. At school, I was fortunate to have excellent English teachers who introduced our class to both British and American English, as well as American literature.
After President Nixon’s historic visit to Romania in 1972, on his way to China, an American Cultural Center was opened in Bucharest. It included a library where I spent many hours reading. That experience had a profound influence on my intellectual development and strengthened my pro-Western outlook.
Why did you choose your profession?
I enjoyed biology and was deeply curious about how the human body works. My father encouraged my interest, and I was fortunate to have an outstanding biochemistry teacher in high school. He had an exceptional ability to explain complex concepts simply, and his teaching had a lasting influence on my future scientific interests.
I completed my undergraduate medical studies at Carol Davila Medical School in Bucharest, Romania. After graduating, I left Romania with the goal of eventually reaching North America to pursue further medical specialization.
Instead, the winds of opportunity brought me to South Africa, where I trained in several medical disciplines, including infectious diseases.
I arrived during the HIV/AIDS epidemic, when everyone was working tirelessly to understand the disease and contain its spread. It was an extraordinary period of learning, both professionally and personally.
I later trained in pathology and internal medicine. After my two children were born, our family eventually settled in Canada.
What do health and well-being mean to you?
For me, health is the most valuable and perhaps the most contested thing we possess. There is a continuous interaction between the mind, the body, and the environment, yet modern life often tries to separate them.
Well-being is not simply the absence of disease. It is the presence of vitality at every level: mental, physical, and spiritual.
Caring for sick people throughout my long medical career, across different parts of the world, taught me that well-being is ultimately a balance between biology, psychology, and the daily choices we make to manage our health.
What are your hobbies, or what excites or entertains you?
My hobbies include cycling in the summer and skiing in the winter. I enjoy being outdoors and exploring the beautiful landscapes of Canada, where I now live.
I am also an avid reader with a particular interest in how cosmic rhythms influence biology. What excites me most is coaching people with disabilities.
I have a 29-year-old son with high-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). He graduated from college and now holds a part-time job. I coach him, along with others facing similar challenges, building a sense of community through physical training and, whenever possible, mental development as well.
I find this work deeply refreshing because I have the privilege of seeing people thrive and move beyond the limitations imposed by their disabilities.
This experience naturally led me to neuroscience and other disciplines related to the mind, including behavioral science. I am currently working on a Medium article exploring disability from this perspective.
I am also learning how to become a good twenty-first-century grandfather, as my first granddaughter was born this year.
What are the top three books that have affected your life?
1. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
This novel was recommended to me as summer reading when I was in high school. It has remained with me ever since because of its remarkable plot and the extraordinary depth of its characters. I consider it a true literary masterpiece.
2. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
I discovered this book later in life after graduating from medical school. At the time, I wanted to begin keeping a journal to support my mental well-being. Several ideas from this book have stayed with me.
The Dichotomy of Control: I learned to distinguish between what I can control and what I cannot.
Logic Over Emotion: I learned to look at situations as they truly are, stripped of emotional narratives or unnecessary panic. This taught me that the mind should be trained to rely on rationality and clear thinking.
Mortality and the Present Moment: Memento Mori. I began reflecting on my own mortality, recognizing that life is brief and should be lived with intention, as though each day could be the last.
Empathy and Community: Despite the hardships I have faced, I learned the importance of maintaining a cooperative mindset, encouraging people to seek unity rather than division. The book also taught me patience and understanding toward others.
3. Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
Viktor Frankl was a psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor whose writing profoundly influenced me. One passage has stayed with me throughout my life: “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”
These three books continue to remind me, every day, how I want to approach life.
Now, let’s talk about your writing venture. Why do you write on Medium?
I began writing on Medium in 2023 as a complete novice. I discovered the platform almost by chance while searching for resources to improve my technical writing because I wanted to start a blog.
Medium awakened my curiosity about the minds of ordinary people. It provides a unique space where personal narratives, clinical knowledge, and philosophy can come together naturally.
When readers respond by sharing their own perspectives and insights, it feels as though their minds connect with mine. That exchange makes writing especially meaningful.
Do you write on other platforms, such as Substack? If so, how do you find them?
Yes. I began writing on Substack in 2024.
I publish a newsletter called Read Learn Grow, where I share my personal perspectives on the world, continue learning from others, and connect with writers who make meaningful contributions.
I also publish on KevinMD.
Each platform serves a different purpose, but together they allow me to reach readers with different interests while continuing to learn from diverse communities.
What are your values as a writer?
I enjoy writing nonfiction based on lived experience rather than borrowed ideas. In my view, every article should offer readers something practical that they can apply to improve their lives.
I particularly enjoy explaining difficult concepts, scientific discoveries, and the laws of nature in simple, accessible language.
I also enjoy taking ordinary, everyday experiences and blending them with heartfelt storytelling so that readers can see familiar situations from a different perspective.
Writing gives me a strong sense of purpose. I believe the stories that matter most are often the ones we are least comfortable discussing.
One day, I also hope to write fiction, perhaps even a novel. I already have several ideas inspired by events from my own life.
How do you connect with your readers?
I try to connect with readers through dialogue and personal stories, using plain language rather than lecturing.
Everything I write begins with my own curiosity, which I simply choose to share. When a reader tells me that a story resonated with them, I feel my mission has been accomplished.
Beyond the content itself, I hope to build genuine relationships with readers, connecting from heart to heart.
Why did you join ILLUMINATION Publications, and how have you found the experience so far?
I was initially attracted by your leadership and by the thoughtful articles you published in ILLUMINATION.
ILLUMINATION feels like a place where I truly belong, surrounded by writers who consistently produce interesting and meaningful content.
What I read today in ILLUMINATION inspires me to learn more or apply those ideas tomorrow. The collaborative spirit and the editorial support have both been outstanding.
Who are some writers you follow on Medium or other platforms?
On Medium, apart from yourself, I enjoy reading the work of Gary L. Fretwell, Dr Michael Broadly, DHSc, Tom Addison, Brooklyn Grace (editor), Darius Foroux, and Deepak Chopra. I also follow publications such as Health and Science by Dr Broadly and The Books Are Our Power.
On Substack, I follow writers including Dr Bronce Rice, Gabor Maté, Lisa Feldman Barrett, David Rock, and many others whose work continues to expand my understanding of health, neuroscience, psychology, and human behavior.
I enjoy learning from writers who combine scientific knowledge with practical wisdom and who communicate complex ideas in ways that are accessible to everyone.
What are your top five stories that you would like to share with your audience, and why?
I would like to share the following five stories with readers because I hope they encourage people to improve their health, expand their thinking, and live more intentionally.
This story describes a practical experiment that yielded meaningful results without resorting to extreme measures.
A collection of simple, evidence-informed ideas that almost anyone can apply to improve long-term health and well-being.
3. Father’s Day, Men’s Health: Remembering My Father
This is a personal reflection on my father, men’s health, and the lessons that continue to influence my life.
4. Why Focusing on What You Can Control Matters: A Stoic Perspective
In this article, I explore how Stoic philosophy can help us respond more calmly and wisely to life’s challenges.
5. Do Educational Activities a Few Times Each Year to Help Your Body and Mind Age More Slowly
This article explains why lifelong learning is not only intellectually rewarding but may also contribute to healthier aging.
I hope these stories inspire readers to take positive steps toward improving their lives.
What are the success factors for you as a writer?
For me, several principles are essential.
Courage: Having the willingness to share my thoughts honestly with readers.
Consistency: Showing up every day, or almost every day, to write.
Revision: My best writing emerges through rewriting and careful editing.
Publishing a Book: Completing and publishing a book will be one of my greatest personal achievements.
What do you recommend to new writers?
Read widely and write from your heart. That is what I try to do every day. Ideas come from reading, observing, and remaining curious about the world.
Reading and writing are inseparable. One continually enriches the other. As Stephen King, one of the most prolific writers of our time, has suggested, good writers are also dedicated readers.
Trust that the readers who need your words will eventually find you.
What are your plans as a writer and as a professional?
My goal as a writer is to continue writing as much as I can, combining knowledge with practical application.
I am currently working toward completing my first book. I have not yet decided on its title, but it will be a collection of stories drawn from my experiences and reflections.
I also try to separate noise from meaningful content, focusing on ideas that genuinely improve people’s lives.
Through writing, coaching, and leadership, I hope to continue inspiring others to pursue better physical health, stronger mental well-being, and a deeper sense of spirituality.
Many thanks to Dr Corneliu Bacauanu MD for allocating his precious time and giving us a glimpse of his interesting background. You can connect with him on LinkedIn, Substack, and ILLUMINATION Slack Workspace.
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