Modern surgical treatment of otosclerosis - Helda - Helsinki.fi

8 Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements
This study was carried out in 2003-2009 at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology,
Helsinki University Central Hospital, and at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology,
Seinäjoki Central Hospital. Professors Anne Pitkäranta, Pekka Karma and Jukka Ylikoski,
Docent Hans Ramsay from Helsinki University Central Hospital and Doctor Panu
Kuoppala from Seinäjoki Central Hospital are thanked for providing me with the
opportunity and facilities to carry out this work.
My deepest gratitude is owed to my supervisor Docent Timo Hirvonen. His vast
experience in clinical and scientific work could always be relied on when guidance (very
often) was needed. He also demonstrated admirable patience and understanding when my
attention was directed more to other aspects of life. His encouragement was instrumental
to my finishing this thesis.
I am very grateful to Heikki Aalto, PhD, Docent Juha-Pekka Vasama and Docent Hans
Ramsay, who were my co-authors in the original publications. Heikki’s contribution to the
development of equipments for vestibular organ measurements and to the actual
measurements was irreplaceable. His precise and pedantic attitude toward science and
everyday work is admirable. Juha-Pekka and Hans were also responsible for the surgical
interventions in this project together with Timo Hirvonen.
I am grateful to the reviewers of this thesis, Docent Kyösti Laitakari and Docent Jukka
Pulkkinen, for their constructive criticism and the comments that greatly improved the
final product. The language content was reviewed by Carol Ann Pelli of Helsinki
University Language Services.
I have warm memories of all of my colleagues during my residency. I especially want to
thank Tuomas, Samuli, Katriina and Lauri. Tuomas, Samuli and Katriina are thanked for
the good times in Kotka, where we headed after residency. During the long drives to work,
all areas of life were covered in conversations, and we became close friends. Lauri is
another friend I can rely on. His recent experience making a thesis and great advice made
my work much easier.
I am indebted to Erkki Hopsu for the many conversations that taught me to defend my
position and for showing me that one can found new perspectives in almost any issue. It
was privilege to start as a young specialist under his guidance. He gave me the opportunity
to try my wings, but when help was needed, I could always rely on him or Juha Tasa.
Thank you both.
My colleagues and co-workers in Seinäjoki Central Hospital are warmly thanked for
sharing the excitement of finishing this thesis. I especially want to thank Pauli Ritvanen at
the Health library.
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