Orthopaedic Trauma Surgeons Thriving (and Not Dying): A Mid-Career Forum

Thursday, October 19, 2023

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM PST

Location: 6C

Moderator(s)

DD

Derek J. Donegan, MD, MBA

Associate Professor
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
Malvern, Pennsylvania, United States

Disclosure(s): JnJ Depuy Synthes: Consultant (Ongoing); ORtelligence: ownership/equity (Ongoing)
MG

Matthew R. Garner, MD

Director of Fracture Care Services
UPMC, Central PA
Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, United States

Disclosure(s): DePuy, Synthes: Grant or Research Support, or I am listed as the PI (Ongoing); Globus Medical: Consultant (Ongoing), Other Financial or Material Support (Ongoing); ROMTech: Stock Shareholder (excluding mutual funds) (Ongoing)

Faculty(s)

MA

Mark R. Adams, MD

Associate Professor
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Summit, New Jersey, United States

Disclosure(s): Osteocentric: Consultant (Ongoing)
LB

Lisa Blackrick, MD, MS

Hughston Orthopedic Trauma
JACKSONVILLE, Florida, United States

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
TW

Tim G. Weber, MD

Trauma Surgeon
OrthoIndy
OrthoIndy
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
MR

Milton L. Routt, MD

Professor and Andrew R. Burgess, MD Chair, Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryChi
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Houston, Texas, United States

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
ML

Milton TM Little, MD (he/him/his)

Assistant Professor
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, California, United States

Disclosure(s): Deputy Synthes: Consultant (Ongoing); Globus Medical: Consultant (Ongoing); Restor3D: Consultant (Ongoing), Stock Shareholder (excluding mutual funds) (Ongoing)

Invariably, the recent suicides of our friends and colleagues come up in conversation whenever we are socializing with other orthopaedic trauma surgeons. This speaks to a growing awareness of an existential problem in our midst. These suicides illustrate how difficult life can be within this profession. These difficulties exist at home and at work, and the two can be interconnected. It is difficult to struggle with a personal problem and still perform at a high level at work, and vice versa.

In these smaller social gatherings, we share our struggles and our responses. We also discuss our larger outlook, our lifestyles, and our strategies towards living in a full and healthy way. This is uplifting and therapeutic for all involved. We would like to bring these conversations to a larger audience to stimulate thought and discussion amongst a larger group.

Learning Objectives:

At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

Describe a comprehensive worldview and healthy lifestyle habits.
Describe how difficulties at home can affect work and vice versa.
Describe how to process and respond to personal and professional difficulties.