Editor’s Note: This account describes a unique and idyllic training experience and professional life.
“I have been so lucky!” My dad is an orthopaedic surgeon. As a kid, I was impressed with how much joy he derived from his job, how hard he worked and how he was amazingly able to stay involved as a parent with his children.
My ambition was to become an Emergency Medicine physician. I did an orthopaedic rotation in medical school primarily because of my dad’s work. I loved it!
My father did not speak to me about my future choice of a specialty, nor did he attempt to sway me in any sort of way. When I finally decided to pursue orthopaedics, he gave me a hug and a “high five.” He clearly was pleased.
I was trained by attending orthopaedic surgeons who were primarily male. I honestly feel that they treated all of us residents the same, despite our gender. Women made up 25% of the resident pool.
One of the attendings invited me to his home for dinner so that his middle school-aged daughters could meet me. He wanted them to meet a real orthopaedic surgeon-in-training so they would be inspired to work hard and pursue their own goals. I was pleased and kept this invitation to myself so no one of my colleagues would feel that I was favored in any way.
There was one attending orthopaedist who didn’t seem to care for me. He wasn’t malignant or inappropriate, but it was clear that our personalities did not mesh well together. Sensing this, I made it my mission to prove to him that I could and would become a good orthopaedic surgeon. My attitude was, “I can do this.” This approach helped to motivate me on late nights when prepping for my cases, the Orthopaedic In-Training Examinations and Board Exams. I thought, “There are people rooting for me and anyone who isn’t, will be shown what I can do.”
I had mentors during my residency years. I found it hard to make the transition from junior resident who set everything up and assisted in surgery to senior status when I was expected to do the cases myself. In my fourth year, a mentor told me to “pick it up.” He could not figure out why I was not confident in myself. He encouraged me to go to the cadaver lab for review, to attend courses and to do extra study of anatomy. “I want you to succeed.”
Because he spoke to me in a constructive manner, I did not feel any humiliation and “buckled down.” I told my chief that I needed extra help, and he said OKAY. I remain grateful.
In my first post-fellowship job, I joined a practice where I spent most of my time alone. I was marooned in a “satellite office.” I even operated by myself. I lacked peers and felt lonely. I assumed that orthopaedics was a “team sport” and working alone was disappointing. I looked at friends in their 40’s who were struggling in similar arrangements. I needed a change.
I joined the hospital-owned practice where my father worked. I have been happy with this arrangement. I have a flexible schedule and have time to spend with my daughter.
The biggest bonus is that I get to operate with my father every two weeks. We do well together, each acting as lead surgeon or assistant. We both enjoy learning, teach each other about nuances of techniques and make observations about each other’s surgical decision-making, etc. It is amazing! As I mentioned previously, I have been lucky.
My advice to others is:
- Look around at what you have and be grateful.
- Hard work pays off.
- There are people rooting for you, even if you may not know it.
- Think about starting a family early in your career.