James Shuhan Lin, MD
Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery Fellow
Mayo Clinic
Rochester, MN
Member Since: 2018
How has the AAOS helped you throughout your career?
The resources provided by AAOS - namely ResStudy - was instrumental in studying for ABOS Part I. My mentors who are heavily involved in advocacy through AAOS have also made me aware of the heroic efforts that the Academy undertakes to champion our field.
As a Fellowship Member, which AAOS resources do you use most and why?
OVT and JAAOS have consistently provided reliable and valuable information when preparing for surgeries. The consensus statements and Clinical Practice Guidelines have also been helpful in making patient care decisions.
What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
"Don't lose sight of what's truly most important professionally and in life. No one on their deathbed looks back and cares about how many papers they published. 'Your patients are your true legacy' - Marco Rizzo, MD" - Steven Moran, MD
What’s your go-to productivity trick?
This may not be a trick, but I believe the #1 best thing for productivity is choosing to do something you are sincerely passionate about. The first step was choosing orthopaedics. You try to remember every bit of effort put into studying and preparing for cases may help another human being. Any projects you pursue should be something you are genuinely interested in, and any collaborators you choose should be people you genuinely like, admire, or would like to know better. If those elements are there, tasks no longer feel like work, but something you look forward to doing. After all, it is truly a privilege to do everything we do.
What’s one thing you’re currently trying to make a habit?
Return to distance running after undergoing Achilles repair.
What hobbies do you enjoy in your spare time?
Cooking barbecue, working out, playing golf, exploring the outdoors with my wife and dogs
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know?
I founded a cookie company during college.