Jose A. Taveras, MD
Hospital Universitario Jose Maria Cabral y Baez
Clinica Corominas, S.A.
Santiago, Dominican Republic
Member Since: 2011
How has the AAOS helped you throughout your career?
Academically, AAOS has provided me with the tools to keep my orthopaedic knowledge and skills up to date through the JAAOS Collection and OVT. I am also quite fond of the AAOS Clinical Practice Guidelines because they provide valuable criteria and protocols. All of these resources have enhanced my practice. I am also grateful for the opportunity to have served as a volunteer member of both the International Committee and the Annual Meeting Oversight Committee. These experiences have been fundamental to my professional career.
As an International Member, which AAOS resources do you use most and why?
First and foremost, the Annual Meeting. It is an enormous showcase of all things orthopaedic: talks, classes, up-to-date information, networking, and a huge playground featuring the latest tools, implants, and procedures in the exhibition hall. I am fortunate to be a co-author of a chapter in OKU 7: Hip and Knee Reconstruction. This publication is a standard reference in orthopaedic practice.
What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
I was told by my mentor, Dr. Carlos Lavernia, that the success of an orthopaedic procedure has a lot to do with selecting the right patient and understanding the patient's true expectations, as these depend on many variables. Another piece of advice he gave me was to manage surgical time, as it has an impact on the outcome and success of the procedure. This made me understand the importance of proper preoperative planning, which leads to better surgical execution.
What’s your go-to productivity trick?
I like to pay attention to details, prepare thoroughly for each procedure, and therefore achieve better results. I also prepare for the unexpected.
What’s one thing you’re currently trying to make a habit?
I am working on creating something every day that my future self can reuse. This could be clinical pearls from cases I have seen that day, slides for a future lecture, or a paragraph for a future article.
What hobbies do you enjoy in your spare time?
I like playing billiards.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know?
I am an avid amateur chef. I really enjoy cooking.