Why did you join AAOS?
I have joined the AAOS, as the most important and largest association in the field of musculoskeletal diseases, to improve my surgical skills via the orthopedic video theater, increase my medical knowledge, and to get in touch with peers and world-class surgeons. Besides, I enjoy the free access to the latest articles of Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research as an AAOS membership benefit.
How do you define success?
Winston Churchill once stated: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” Based on this inspiring quote, in my opinion, success is not a certain goal but rather the process of working hard, following your dreams, learning from defeats, respecting others and yourself, and to never give up.
Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
As I had the privilege to study from and work with leading surgeons in Germany, the USA, and Switzerland, it is hard to choose a single professional inspiration. Nonetheless, I am especially grateful to have worked with and learned from Prof. Carsten Perka (Charité University Hospital Berlin, Germany), Prof. Mazda Farshad (University Clinic Balgrist Zurich, Switzerland), and Dr. Andreas Gomoll (Brigham and Women's Hospital Boston, USA; currently Hospital for Special Surgery New York, USA). In my personal life, my parents are my inspiration and role models, as they taught me hard work, humbleness, and respect.
What do you love most about AAOS?
AAOS is unique as it is the only orthopaedic organization with a global impact on research, patient care, and the formation of a surgical community. AAOS is not only supporting doctors and health care professionals from all corners of the world with all their different personal, religious, and ethnic backgrounds, but also improves patient care, diagnosis, and treatment.
What advice would you give to new members of AAOS?
I would advise new members to use all opportunities for learning, connecting, and actively participating in the AAOS, such as reading the latest Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research articles, enjoying the surgical video theater, or becoming part of an AAOS committee.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know?
Before studying medicine, and ultimately pursuing a career in orthopedics, I studied history for one semester at the University of Heidelberg and intended to become an archeologist or history professor.