Robert F. Ostrum, MD, FAAOS
Adjunct Professor of Orthopaedics
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Member Since: 1986
What AAOS Resources do you use and why?
For the first two years after retirement, I still attended the Annual Meeting and found it full of new and useful information as well as a good way to catch up with old friends and colleagues.
If you were mentoring a new member, what would you advise?
My best advice would be to find something in your practice that interests you above all else and make it your passion. You can be good at lots of things, but by mastering one aspect of orthopaedic practice, you can be an even greater asset to your patients and colleagues.
What aspect of retirement surprised you the most?
For the first six months of retirement, I had to get used to the fact that I didn't have a schedule to strictly adhere to and that all of my time was just that: my time. With this new-found freedom, I started taking courses in photography and gardening and took some workshops on woodturning. Finding out that I could do whatever I wanted to do, whenever I wanted, became liberating and presented me with even more opportunities.
What hobbies do you enjoy in your spare time?
I enjoy lots of hobbies, new and old, that keep me busy and stimulate me both intellectually and physically. Kayak fishing, working out, and hiking with my wife and dog have been fun. Woodturning and woodworking, while building anything from nest boxes to tables, keeps me productive while allowing me to use some of my surgical skills.
Incidentally, I discovered that old white coats make great shop coveralls. To keep myself intellectually engaged, I enjoy reading fiction and doing word games. Joining our local Rotary club has allowed me to be very active in volunteering while building camaraderie with others in our community. One of the best parts of retirement is that I finally get to spend unlimited time at our beach house and just relax and enjoy my summers. There is literally too much to do on any one day.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know?
I used to be an avid scuba diver with over 150 open water dives in the Caribbean. Once while living on a catamaran, I was able to dive wrecks in the British Virgin Islands that were rarely visited by others. Equally fascinating were the cave dives and night dives where I was able to explore worlds that few ever get to see.