Holly Tyler-Paris Pilson, MD, FAAOS
Associate Professor, Orthopaedic Surgery
Associate Dean, Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Wake Forest University School of Medicine/ Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
Winston-Salem, NC
Member Since: 2016
How has the AAOS helped you throughout your career?
As early as residency, AAOS has been key in providing trusted and up-to-date knowledge and content to guide my professional development as an orthopaedic surgeon. Early in practice, I regularly utilized the Orthopaedic Video Theater as a refresher before complex or uncommon cases. In addition to the tangible resources provided by AAOS to advance my career in orthopaedics, the greatest benefit I have found from the AAOS has been the incredible network of mentors, sponsors, colleagues, and friends.
As an Active Fellow Member, which AAOS resources do you use most and why?
In practice, I routinely use AAOS patient-specific educational material provided through OrthoInfo and have it linked directly through my electronic medical record. Additionally, I use my subspecialty-specific Clinical Practice Guidelines both for educating trainees and to provide evidenced-based clinical care. Annually, I utilize the Self-Assessment exams available to complete the requirements for my ABOS maintenance of certification.
What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
As a resident, my then mentor and now partner, Eben Carroll, gave me the best patient care advice that I still use today- “What’s best for the patient is often what’s most inconvenient for you”. This helps me prioritize patient care needs in times when personal interests are more desirable.
What’s your go-to productivity trick?
My go-to productivity trick is taking advantage of downtime to build self-care routines and habits. In the turnover time between surgical cases, for example, I get a workout at the hospital gym.
What’s one thing you’re currently trying to make a habit?
One thing I am trying to make a habit of is expressing gratitude daily. While I often feel internally grateful for many things in my life, I haven’t always been great at sharing those feelings of gratitude with others. Now, I try to make a point each day to show- through my words, a note or a small token of appreciation, gratitude for someone in my life.
What hobbies do you enjoy in your spare time?
Travel, Peloton, crafting, true crime.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know?
My high school mascot was a Unicorn.