Ben Watzig, MD
Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery Fellow
University of California, Irvine (UCI Health)
Orange, CA
Member Since: 2021
How has the AAOS helped you throughout your career?
The AAOS has been a consistent educational and professional resource throughout my orthopaedic training. Its educational content helped me build a strong foundation across the breadth of orthopaedics, prepare for examinations, and continue learning as I narrowed my focus to hand and upper extremity surgery. The AAOS has also provided meaningful opportunities to present my research at the Annual Meeting, exchange ideas with colleagues, and remain connected to the broader orthopaedic community.
As a Fellowship Member, which AAOS resources do you use most and why?
The ROCK program has been especially helpful for building and reinforcing my fundamentals in hand and upper extremity surgery. During residency, I also used ResStudy extensively while preparing for the ABOS Part I Examination. JAAOS and other AAOS educational resources remain valuable for focused topic review, examining the evidence behind clinical decisions, and applying that evidence directly to patient care.
What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
Two pieces of advice have stayed with me throughout my training:
“At the end of your life, you will not wish you had done just one more case. You will wish you had spent more time with the people who matter most.”
Norman Chutkan, MD
Program Director, Orthopaedic Surgery Residency
University of Arizona College of Medicine–Phoenix
“You have to do more than just operate. You have to run your room.”
Michael McKee, MD
Chair, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
University of Arizona College of Medicine–Phoenix
What’s your go-to productivity trick?
I keep myself on track with a simple checklist. Writing everything down helps me organize competing responsibilities, prioritize what needs to be done, and turn a long day into a series of manageable steps. Working through one item at a time keeps me focused on the task in front of me rather than distracted by everything else still waiting.
What’s one thing you’re currently trying to make a habit?
One habit I am working to develop is slowing down enough to appreciate this stage of life. Surgical training naturally pulls my attention toward the next case, examination, or career milestone. I am trying to be more deliberate about recognizing and enjoying the meaningful moments along the way rather than always looking ahead to what comes next.
What hobbies do you enjoy in your spare time?
Outside of work, most of my favorite activities involve spending time with my wife and young son. We enjoy barbecuing, swimming, boating, visiting the beach, and exploring Southern California together. Some of our best days are the simplest ones: sunny weather, something on the grill, and a cold drink in hand.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know.
During college, I worked at Ben & Jerry’s, making ice cream and milkshakes with mixers and blenders. Now, as a hand surgery fellow, I often treat injuries involving those same kitchen appliances. It has been an unexpected way for my career to come full circle.