Editor’s Note: This account illustrates what change looks like.
“This is a great time to be a woman in orthopaedics. I love what I do.”
I have always been a goal-oriented person. Because of my participation in athletics, I had an opportunity to learn about the spectrum of sports medicine career opportunities including athletic training, physical therapy, primary care sports medicine and orthopaedic sports medicine and surgery. By my junior year of college, I set my sights on medical school and orthopaedics. I have never veered off that path.
I aspire to the “Mission, Vision, Goals” approach to life and career. By having determination and objectives always in mind, I have had many opportunities come my way in a sequential manner. Each one prepared me for the next. Together, these opportunities helped me set a career path.
Examples would be my two fellowships which prepared me to care for patients independently and with confidence. The experience gained helped me feel ready to treat my own patients in practice.
Because of connections made during my fellowships, I was invited to assist with some high-profile teaching and eventually to co-chair some national surgical technique courses. These exposures made me eligible for more opportunities in my professional subspecialty societies and eventually a position on the board of directors for a national orthopaedic society. Based on this exposure, I have also been invited to speak internationally about my areas of interest and expertise. One of my major goals is to be President of my specialty society. I am continually seeking out opportunities to move towards achieving this goal.
I have listed these points to illustrate how one opportunity allows you to recognize and be ready for the next. It’s not always possible to appreciate the chain of events until there is time to reflect. That is when the beauty of it all shines through.
Not every one of my experience in my career has been sunshine and roses; however, I have learned and grown from the challenges I have faced.
So, what is my formula? When an important opportunity presents itself, I give it my focus and intense thought. I ask myself; am I passionate about the work it will involve, and do I have something to contribute? If the answer is yes, I embrace it and go all in.
Here is my advice to medical students, residents and those in practice:
• Consider a career in orthopaedic surgery. The specialty is fantastic because it involves work that is technically challenging and allows you to do much to improve patients’ lives.
• Set goals for yourself and your career.
• Keep your eyes open for opportunities in the parts of orthopaedics you are passionate about.
• There is currently a commitment in the profession to improve diversity, to let all voices be heard, and to eliminate behaviors like bullying, discrimination and harassment. This is a real step forward. Just because these efforts are going on, however, don’t hesitate to read the online and social media stories about our colleagues’ struggles. Try to learn from them. Don’t be deterred from facing reality. Work to improve it.
• Don’t be afraid to make a professional change or take a risk. The gains you may experience can be tremendous.
• If you have an idea that can benefit the profession, communicate it to leadership. Plant the seed, nourish it, and understand that changes take time. Don’t give up.