Janel Pietryga, MD
Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon
UMC Orthopedic & Spine Institute
Las Vegas, NV
Member Since: 2017

How has the AAOS helped you throughout your career?
The AAOS has helped me network as a young professional as well as provided access to invaluable resources like ResStudy and ROCK for studying throughout my residency training. 

As an Candidate Member, which AAOS resources do you use most and why?
As a Candidate Member, I use the online access to the Yellow Journal, and The Bone and Joint Journal the most. It helps me stay current and engaged with current literature and high quality studies. I also refer my patients on a regular basis to Orthoinfo for more information about their injuries and pathology as it is a truly powerful educational resource. 

What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
The best advice I was given was during my 3rd year of medical school on my Neurology clinical rotation. I had been talking with Chief Resident of the service asking how he had chosen Neurology as his specialty hoping to gain insight and he said “In medicine, you don’t find your specialty, you find your people.” That really resonated with me and I could not agree more. I now offer that piece of advice when medical students ask me about choosing a specialty or when Residents ask about how to pick a Fellowship/Sub-Specialty. 

What’s your go-to productivity trick?
My go to productivity trick is a great playlist. Whether it’s in the OR or prepping my charts for clinic if I have some good music with a good number of beats per minute, I can get a lot done in not a lot of time. 

What’s one thing you’re currently trying to make a habit?
I am trying to be more intentional about taking a moment of mindfulness before bed, whether it is reflecting on a difficult case, or appreciating the time I got to spend with friends or family for the day, I am trying to make a moment of mindful reflection a daily habit. 

What hobbies do you enjoy in your spare time?
I enjoy Olympic Weightlifting, playing with my dogs, exploring Nevada with my husband, and discovering new restaurants and cocktail bars Las Vegas has to offer. 

Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know?
I like to throw porcelain. I was trained in the traditional Arita Method from Arita Japan. In High School I won a few local art shows and was the Art Department student of the year. I was able to continue to throw ceramics throughout college and for quite some time had my own wheel. I hope to pick it back up as it is a fun and relaxing creative outlet.