Why did you join AAOS?
When I was a PGY2 Resident, my program director nominated me to represent our residency as our delegate to the newly formed Resident Assembly (RA). I ended up spending five years working on the RA and its subcommittees, eventually serving as chair of the Executive Committee from 2018 to 2019.
Do you currently volunteer with an AAOS committee? If yes, which one(s)?
I previously worked on the RA Executive Committee and the Shoulder & Elbow Content Committee as a resident and fellow, but since graduating fellowship this past summer I have termed out of both. I'm currently a free agent, eagerly looking for a new committee to participate in!
How do you define success?
Success, to me, is being able to leave a positive impact on both my local community as well as society at large. Through a career in medicine, this means providing optimal care for my patients while positively impacting the broader house of orthopaedics (e.g. through research, teaching, volunteerism, and/or advocacy) in a meaningful and lasting way.
Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
There are too many to count! My parents and sister have always inspired me simply by being the great people that they are. My wife, who is an ICU doctor, inspires me in countless ways but most recently through her selfless devotion to her patients during this awful pandemic. Within orthopaedics, I have been incredibly fortunate to have crossed paths with an all-star lineup of role models who have each molded some aspect of my career—many of whom I met through AAOS, in fact!
What do you love most about AAOS?
I love interacting with orthopaedic surgeons from across the country and sharing ideas about improving some aspect of orthopaedic care. We can all learn a lot from one another so long as we have the platform that AAOS provides to exchange ideas in a healthy and productive way.
What advice would you give to new members of AAOS?
First reflect on what your passions within orthopaedics are, and then find a group within AAOS that shares those passions. Your time and efforts will surely be more meaningful if you are working on projects related to your passions, rather than if you join a committee at random.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know?
I'm a rabid Boston Celtics fan, which makes living in Lakers country quite interesting!