I have a Dream
An example of how my world works.
I needed a physical exam to say that I was healthy and could apply for away rotations next year. I have no doctor here in Pittsburgh, my doctor is in Flushing. So I asked the doctor who I've been working with for my outpatient service if he could do it for me. Bada bing, bada boom, I get seen that day, get everything signed off, and don't even have to pay. It's not that great of an accomplishment, but sometimes it's hard to get an appointment with a doctor, especially certain fields. Dermatology, orthopaedics, ob-gyn, you might end up having to wait a couple weeks before you're in the office. If I need to see an orthopaedic surgeon, I'm in whenever I'm free. two years ago when I broke my wrist the day after Thanksgiving, I was in there on Monday.
I'm not saying this to brag, but this is how I want my life to be. When I need something, I want to know someone I can call who will take care of it. Like, my father knows a mechanic, a Greek guy, who's honest and has taken care of his cars for a long time. Since I've been driving, he's become my mechanic, and when I have something wrong, I take my care to him, get seen that day, get it fixed, and don't get overcharged, sometimes not even charged at all. Life is about who you know. I'm not at the point yet where I can call someone and say "I want Yankee tickets, can you get me some?" but there are people who have tickets who will offer them to me, usually through the office where my mother works. I sat behind home plate with Kevin a couple years ago, I've had box seats at Shea a couple times. It will probably get better, especially if I get into orthopaedics and sports medicine, for sure if I end up working as a team physician somewhere which is what I want to do.
I know it's a two way street. I'm doing what limitied things I can do at this point in my career. There have been people who have needed appointments with an orthopaedist and I've gotten it for them through my mom. Plenty of people tell me what's wrong with them and ask me to diagnose them, more and more people actually as time goes on. Usually I can give them an idea of what's going on and what to be worried about. I actually diagnosed a guy with biceps tendonitis which I was really proud of and which still gets mentioned when I see him. I never got paid for that consult, but whatever.
It will get better as time goes on. When I graduate, and I can see people in my office and treat them, do surgery, send them to therapy, write for medications, I'll be able to do more. Just like Santa Claus, I know who's been good, who's loyal, who has my back. Whenever they need something from me, I will take care of them. I will use my powers for good. I think this one fun part of growing up, seeing what your friends end up doing. I know a guy who does this, I have a friend in this business, etc. Like if I want a good deal on a new car, a place to stay when I go skiing in Colorado, a reservation at a busy restaurant, I want to be able to call up someone and make it happen.
Some of you may say I'm getting carried away with this, but I assure you I'm not. I've been lucky to meet some people as I've gone along, through my family and through school. I hope to continue as I move on. This is my dream, a life where people do things for each other, help them out. You scratch my back and I scratch yours, and we're both better off. It really is all about who you know. It's unfortunate that everyone doesn't have equal opportunities in this country. But I'm not a philosphizer, this is the way it is, and I'm doing what I can to play by the rules. The game of life, I guess.
I needed a physical exam to say that I was healthy and could apply for away rotations next year. I have no doctor here in Pittsburgh, my doctor is in Flushing. So I asked the doctor who I've been working with for my outpatient service if he could do it for me. Bada bing, bada boom, I get seen that day, get everything signed off, and don't even have to pay. It's not that great of an accomplishment, but sometimes it's hard to get an appointment with a doctor, especially certain fields. Dermatology, orthopaedics, ob-gyn, you might end up having to wait a couple weeks before you're in the office. If I need to see an orthopaedic surgeon, I'm in whenever I'm free. two years ago when I broke my wrist the day after Thanksgiving, I was in there on Monday.
I'm not saying this to brag, but this is how I want my life to be. When I need something, I want to know someone I can call who will take care of it. Like, my father knows a mechanic, a Greek guy, who's honest and has taken care of his cars for a long time. Since I've been driving, he's become my mechanic, and when I have something wrong, I take my care to him, get seen that day, get it fixed, and don't get overcharged, sometimes not even charged at all. Life is about who you know. I'm not at the point yet where I can call someone and say "I want Yankee tickets, can you get me some?" but there are people who have tickets who will offer them to me, usually through the office where my mother works. I sat behind home plate with Kevin a couple years ago, I've had box seats at Shea a couple times. It will probably get better, especially if I get into orthopaedics and sports medicine, for sure if I end up working as a team physician somewhere which is what I want to do.
I know it's a two way street. I'm doing what limitied things I can do at this point in my career. There have been people who have needed appointments with an orthopaedist and I've gotten it for them through my mom. Plenty of people tell me what's wrong with them and ask me to diagnose them, more and more people actually as time goes on. Usually I can give them an idea of what's going on and what to be worried about. I actually diagnosed a guy with biceps tendonitis which I was really proud of and which still gets mentioned when I see him. I never got paid for that consult, but whatever.
It will get better as time goes on. When I graduate, and I can see people in my office and treat them, do surgery, send them to therapy, write for medications, I'll be able to do more. Just like Santa Claus, I know who's been good, who's loyal, who has my back. Whenever they need something from me, I will take care of them. I will use my powers for good. I think this one fun part of growing up, seeing what your friends end up doing. I know a guy who does this, I have a friend in this business, etc. Like if I want a good deal on a new car, a place to stay when I go skiing in Colorado, a reservation at a busy restaurant, I want to be able to call up someone and make it happen.
Some of you may say I'm getting carried away with this, but I assure you I'm not. I've been lucky to meet some people as I've gone along, through my family and through school. I hope to continue as I move on. This is my dream, a life where people do things for each other, help them out. You scratch my back and I scratch yours, and we're both better off. It really is all about who you know. It's unfortunate that everyone doesn't have equal opportunities in this country. But I'm not a philosphizer, this is the way it is, and I'm doing what I can to play by the rules. The game of life, I guess.
posted by Chris at 5:26 PM
1 Comments:
When you're pulling in that orthopaedic salary... I'm not so sure you're gonna be so concerned with getting little handouts like car repairs or sports tickets. I mean heck, some pharmaceutical companies are gonna give you free vacations possibly. And sure you can get a free physical filled out but you'd probably have lots of trouble getting anything for free if you got seriously ill and wound up in a hospital.
I think the greatest thing about having all of these connections is having people you can trust in big fields. The important ones I think:
1) Health care / Dentistry
2) Financial planning / investing / accounting - there's a shitload of overhead costs associated with being a surgeon and you're gonna need someone with a business background to make sure you're managing your money right
3) Lawyer - for when you get sued
Out of the people we know you're probably covered on most of these. I'm still not sure who I'd turn to for financial advise - maybe someone I know from college... but thats gonna be really important once we get out into the real world and we're working under a corporation or something
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