Seth Carder, MD
Orthopaedic Surgery Resident, PGY-5
Incoming Adult Reconstruction Fellow
Cleveland Clinic
University of Kansas School of Medicine
Wichita, KS
Member Since: 2022
How has the AAOS helped you throughout your career?
AAOS has been an invaluable anchor throughout my training, especially as I transition from residency into fellowship planning. The Academy’s structured career resources, fellowship directory, and webinars streamlined the navigation of the application process. Combined with robust educational platforms like ROCK and ResStudy, AAOS provided a reliable framework to track my progress, master core concepts, and bridge the gap between clinical theory and surgical application.
As a Resident Member, which AAOS resources do you use most and why?
My most-used tools are ResStudy and ROCK. ResStudy is indispensable for high-yield board and OITE preparation, allowing me to target specific subspecialty areas and track retention over time. For daily clinical work and case planning, I frequently turn to the Orthopaedic Video Theater (OVT) and the surgical technique modules, which offer exceptional visual breakdowns that help me prepare ahead of complex surgical procedures.
What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
Early in my residency, one of chief residents shared a perspective that has fundamentally shaped my practice: "In orthopedics, you are often faced with two choices—an easy one and a hard one. More often than not, the hard choice is the right choice and in the best interest of the patient." Whether it's getting out of bed in the middle of the night on a brutal call shift to physically evaluate a questionable exam rather than managing it over the phone or taking the extra hours to meticulously map out a complex reconstruction instead of rushing the plan, leaning into the hard path is what separates standard care from exceptional patient care.
What’s your go-to productivity trick?
Ruthless time-blocking and night-before preparation. I map out my schedule and priorities the evening before so that when I wake up, there is zero cognitive overhead spent deciding what to tackle first. It allows me to hit the ground running the moment I wake up.
What’s one thing you’re currently trying to make a habit?
Being disciplined about a consistent workout routine. Balancing the intense demands of surgical training with wanting to be fully present for my wife and daughter means every hour counts. I've been working hard to protect my training blocks so I can prioritize my physical health without sacrificing precious evening family time or letting clinical fatigue derail my fitness goals.
What hobbies do you enjoy in your spare time?
Outside of the hospital, my absolute favorite way to spend time is with my wife and daughter. When I have a free hour for personal downtime, you'll usually find me on the pickleball court, lifting weights, or in my woodworking shop.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know?
I am a massive fan of The Office, and I bring that fandom right into the operating room with a different The Office-themed scrub cap for every single day of the work week. My absolute favorite being my Prison Mike scrub cap, which serves as a daily reminder that the worst part about residency is the dementors.