Arpun Kaur Bajwa, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Harbor Regional Health
Aberdeen, WA
Member Since: 2023
How has the AAOS helped you throughout your career?
As a Canadian Graduate, the role of the AAOS has been pivotal in my career thus far, especially as a portal to the US orthopedic education system. Currently, living and working in the U.S. the AAOS has been my number one resource for education and connection to the orthopedic community.
As an Affiliate Orthopaedic Member, which AAOS resources do you use most and why?
Although I may be of the newer generation of surgeons, my number one resource is still the AAOS Now print Newspaper that comes to my home. It is such a quick reference and gives me snapshots of what's going on in Orthopedics currently.
What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
The best orthopedic advice I've ever been given was from one of my fellowship directors. He said: “If you ever feel nervous about a surgery; the night before make sure you can visually walk yourself through every single step of the surgery, from incision to closure, and you will succeed”.
What’s your go-to productivity trick?
If I’m trying to get work done (after work, when I’m home), I have found it helpful to set a timer for 20 minutes to focus on one task and then take a break at that point. Sometimes, I feel like continuing past the 20 minutes and sometimes I take a pause. Ultimately, I end up being more productive than if I had not sat down in the first place.
What’s one thing you’re currently trying to make a habit?
Supplementation. This may be controversial here, but I’ve been doing a deep dive into all things to do with supplementation, vitamins, and health and have slowly made a shift over the last year.
What hobbies do you enjoy in your spare time?
Strength training, hiking, biking, running, swimming, and I just recently got into cross-country skiing. In light of this, If you haven’t already, and you need a laugh, please watch the sketch by Jim Gaffigan on cross-country skiing. It will give you a good chuckle!
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know?
I was a synchronized swimmer growing up and it’s one of the reasons I went into orthopedics!