AAOS has many volunteers who contribute to the Academy’s examination development process. Through their experience and expertise, they offer their time to help build the future of our examination product offerings. Each quarter, we will celebrate these efforts with a featured volunteer in the AAOS Item Writer Spotlight.
Bryce Allen, MD is the Chair of the Hip, Knee, & Adult Reconstruction Evaluation Committee. We recently had the opportunity to talk with Dr. Allen about volunteering with the Academy and the great contributions he has made.
Thank you, Dr. Allen!
Tell us a little bit about your background as an orthopaedic surgeon.
I started my medical training at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. I did my residency and fellowship at the University of Utah and trained under some outstanding arthroplasty surgeons there. I’ve been teaching adult reconstruction to residents and fellows at Baylor Scott & White in Temple, Texas for 17 years.
How did you first find out about volunteer opportunities?
I first found out about volunteer opportunities at the AAOS Annual Meeting 10 to 12 years ago, when a talk was given about how volunteers make the Academy run. That inspired me to find out more so I started looking into opportunities and it grew from there.
What is the most rewarding aspect of participating in exam development?
I think the most eye opening and rewarding part of this is separating fact from opinion and drilling down to the scientific background behind what we believe and do every day.
Do you have any advice for future Evaluation Committee Chairs?
It’s important to remember that the biggest asset that you have on a committee like this is the item writers themselves and their varied experience and training backgrounds. Learn to lean on them and their diverse experience.
What's your go-to guilty pleasure after a long day at work?
Spending time with my wife. When I get time to do that, I really enjoy it. We like to play tennis and chase our kids around town to their different activities. We also like to take our dogs on walks. And of course, sitting on the back porch with a glass of wine is probably our favorite activity.
What is the most interesting case you’ve ever worked on as an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in Hip & Knee?
The most interesting cases for me are the cases that are complicated from a medical standpoint, social standpoint, as well as a physical standpoint. Patients that really benefit the most from the surgery are sometimes the ones that really make you think.
Outside of medicine, what hobbies or activities do you enjoy in your free time?
I like to be active so I play tennis, baseball, run, work out, and enjoy hiking and camping. I enjoy spending time with my kids as they grow.
What is the most unusual or unexpected skill you’ve developed as a surgeon?
As a surgeon I’ve developed a 3D spatial sense. It becomes second nature to a surgeon. Working outside of surgery, it’s not necessarily a skill that everyone possesses. Yet I cannot wrap a gift to save my life.
If you weren’t a surgeon, what profession do you think you would have pursued?
If I weren't a surgeon, I would have been either a teacher or an author. Thinking about what I was good at back in the day, those were my strengths.
Do you listen to music while in surgery, and if so, what type?
We have several generations represented in the OR, so the biggest crowd pleaser and energizer is 80s music.