Alton Daley, DO
PGY3
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
Lebanon, NH
Member Since: 2023
How has the AAOS helped you during residency?
As a resident member, the AAOS has been at the foundation of my training. Our program has implemented the ROCK curriculum as our main source of didactic education in preparation for the yearly OITE. Additionally, I’ve found the OVT resource to be very helpful in preparing for cases and solidifying gaps in my knowledge regarding specific procedures. Lastly, as I’ve progressed in training years, I’ve started to utilize the career center to start to prepare for fellowship application and familiarize myself with the available job market.
As a Resident Member, which AAOS resources do you use most and why?
I probably use the RESTUDY question bank most of any resource. I find the questions to be most similar to the those offered on the OITE. Yellow journal access is a close second.
What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
Dr. Howard Luks, one of my mentors, once told me that throughout my training to “never let confidence outweigh competence.” Orthopaedic surgical training is hard for a reason and to be successful, you must maintain a sense of humility throughout your career to identify gaps in your knowledge/skills and learn from each mistake. That’s always stuck with me.
What’s your go-to productivity trick?
Focusing all of my attention on the job at hand. In residency, it’s easy to be pulled in different directions. As I’ve gotten busier and taken on more, I’ve found that if I focus my attention on one thing at a time, my long term productivity increases and jobs are completed much more effectively.
What’s one thing you’re currently trying to make a habit?
Recently, l’ve been trying to better utilize visual imagery to prepare for cases. For each case, I try to spend time prior doing a visual walkthrough of everything from set up to closure. Certainly still a work in progress.
What hobbies do you enjoy in your spare time?
I’m a big fan of trying to stay active. On weekends, I enjoy playing hockey with our anesthesia colleagues, lifting weights, and going on walks/hikes with my wife and newborn son.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know?
Prior to residency, I co-founded a mental health non profit (Never Give Up Radio) to provide education and a safe space for collegiate and professional athletes to open up about mental health struggles. We ran two seasons of a podcast with guests ranging from division III athletes to NHL players.