Matt Pate, MD
Orthopaedic Oncology Fellow
University of Chicago Musculoskeletal Oncology
Chicago, IL
Member Since: 2020
How has the AAOS helped you throughout your career?
I was the resident-delegate to the AAOS for all five years of my residency and was the resident member on the Evidence-Based Quality and Value (EBQV) Committee. This was a valuable opportunity for networking and understanding the inner workings of AAOS committees. Finally, I also participated in the Resident Rumble which was a fun experience to work with my co-residents and compete against other residency programs. These experiences allowed me to network with similarly minded individuals who have encouraged me to pursue involvement in sub-committees of the Academy. During my residency, I was able to go to the Annual Meeting where I met Dr. Alan Blank, who I now have the opportunity to work under during fellowship.
As a Fellowship Member, which AAOS resources do you use most and why?
I relied heavily on ResStudy while studying for Boards and have continued to use it for self-study on tumor topics in fellowship. Additionally, the Resident Orthopaedic Core Knowledge (ROCK) curriculum has an extensive educational database of tumor topics that have been helpful for reference during my fellowship year.
What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
“In everything you do, be a shark,” Karl Roberts, MD (my residency program director).
What’s your go-to productivity trick?
I am most productive with a fresh pot of coffee very early in the morning before the distractions of the day can get to me.
What’s one thing you’re currently trying to make a habit?
Making an hour-by-hour daily schedule on Sunday every week to maximize my efficiency in fellowship and ensure I make the most of pockets of time I have to work out or study.
What hobbies do you enjoy in your spare time?
Doing Legos and playing sports with my son, weightlifting, men’s league hockey, fly fishing, walks along the lakeshore trail with my financé and dog, and learning Spanish on Duolingo
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know?
Before going to medical school, I worked as a professional taste tester.