Iryna Ivasyk, MD, PhD
PGY-3 Orthopedic Surgery Resident
Duke University
Durham, NC
Member Since: 2023
How has the AAOS helped you during residency?
AAOS resources helped me prepare for the in-service exam and my clinical rotations. Prior to residency, the organization provided me with a platform to discuss war injuries in Ukraine and connect with the broader trauma community. I look forward to the networking opportunities at future AAOS meetings.
As a Resident Member, which AAOS resources do you use most and why?
I most often use the ROCK curriculum book chapters and video lectures to supplement my learning. I also prepared for the OITE exam with ResStudy and will continue to use this question bank as I progress in residency and prepare for the boards.
What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
I am fortunate to have many mentors, both personal and professional, who shaped my career. One piece of advice that stands out is from my mom. When facing a challenge, she would remind me to pause, remember the big picture, reassess, and focus on what is within my control. This mindset has helped me throughout my career, whether navigating a difficult PhD experiment or a complex clinical case.
What’s your go-to productivity trick?
I like to break down a large task into smaller steps, create a list, and check items off as I progress. The visual cue motivates me and helps me stay focused.
What’s one thing you’re currently trying to make a habit?
One of my current goals is to consistently meal prep and pack a healthy breakfast and lunch for workdays.
What hobbies do you enjoy in your spare time?
I enjoy photography, scuba diving, spending time with my family, and playing fetch with our golden retriever, Teddy.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know?
As a PhD candidate studying ant genetics, I had the opportunity to participate in “Ant Course.” For weeks, I lived in a hammock at a research station in the Amazon jungle accessible only by helicopter. We studied local insect species, observed army ant migrations during night hikes and even found multiple nests of bullet ants, famous for having the most painful sting of any insect.