Michael Abaskaron, MSc
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine – South Georgia
Moultrie, GA
Member Since: 2025
Why did you join AAOS?
I joined AAOS to become part of a community that values mentorship, collaboration, and shared learning. Connecting with peers who have similar interests, learning from residents and attending physicians, and building relationships across different stages of training were major reasons I wanted to be involved with AAOS early on.
What are you looking forward to most about AAOS?
I’m most looking forward to forming meaningful connections through AAOS—both with fellow students and with mentors who are generous with their experience and guidance. I’m also excited about the opportunity to meet people from different programs and explore different parts of the country through conferences and events, gaining exposure to diverse perspectives and approaches to patient care.
What interested you about orthopedics?
What initially interested me about orthopedics was how it blends anatomy, biomechanics, and clinical reasoning with hands-on patient care. During my orthopedic rotation, what stood out most was the strength of the physician–patient relationship and the continuity of care—from the first clinic visit and shared decision-making to recovery and return to function. Seeing how trust is built over time and how directly physicians can impact patients’ quality of life reaffirmed my interest in the field.
What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
The best advice I’ve received and keep in the back of my head everyday actually came from listening to an interview of a CEO, he said “Always stay curious.” It reinforced the importance of asking questions, seeking feedback, and approaching medicine with humility and a growth mindset. As physicians, we are life-long students, constantly learning new things every day and that is something you don’t get in every field and another reason why I love medicine.
What’s your go-to productivity trick?
My go-to productivity trick is planning the next day the night before. I write a detailed, time-blocked schedule in my notes app so I wake up with a clear roadmap, which helps me stay focused and intentional throughout the day.
What’s one thing you’re currently trying to make a habit?
I’m working on making daily reflection and journaling a consistent habit. Medicine is a long journey with a lot of growth, uncertainty, and ongoing challenges, and I think writing and reflecting would me process both the highs and the struggles and would make me a better physician and person in the long run. I like the idea that one day, I’ll be able to look back and remember the full path it took to get there, rather than just the milestones.
What hobbies do you enjoy in your spare time?
I love spending time with family, friends, and my dog, Toby. When I have time, I enjoy traveling and going on spontaneous adventures. I love going to the gym and I’ve always been really into sports, so I still play soccer, basketball, pickleball, and other random sports with friends. I also coach a youth soccer team, which has been a great experience. More recently, during my clinical rotations in Jacksonville, I’ve taken up surfing—something I’m still learning, and quickly realizing is much harder than it looks.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know?
I’ve always loved music—I played the saxophone in school and recently picked up the harmonica. So far, Piano Man is my one mastered song.