I have really attempted to plow through the chart screens these last few weeks. As of right now, I have screened about 800 charts, 650 being ineligible for our study and 150 being eligible. Fortunately, my RA figured out a new code to put into the database to better automatically screen the 4,000+ charts and I now have a list with about 350 “eligible charts.” My goal was to finish these 350 charts by the end of this week, but there has been an issue with the data imputed and I’m not sure if that will happen. Because of that, I have started collecting data on some of the 150 eligible charts I currently have in my data sheet.
Besides chart review, I have continued reading my journal articles for biweekly journal clubs with my RA. In the first journal club, Andy picked two articles, and in the second journal club, I was responsible for choosing the articles. I chose one article on the risks of ACL injury after reconstruction in pediatric athletes and another on open-both-bone forearm fractures in pediatrics. Becoming familiar with relevant literature and publications has been incredibly helpful while doing my research, and I have enjoyed having the opportunity to choose articles I’m interested in.
Additionally, I had the opportunity to attend the resident and fellow graduation lectureship. During this conference, each graduating physician presents clinical research they have been working on with their mentor. I saw a lot of really interesting presentations and gained great knowledge of the entire residency and fellowship processes. I have to admit, this conference was probably one of my favorites so far, and I cannot wait until I’m the one up at the podium.
I was so excited to start shadowing these last couple of weeks, and I have greatly strengthened my love for orthopedics because of it. My first shadowing experience was in pediatric trauma with Dr. Julia Sanders, and I honestly think trauma may be my new favorite specialty. Dr. Sanders is an amazing teacher, and seeing the difference she makes in the families' lives is amazing. I got to see so much variety it was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. I saw everything from forearm and clavicle fractures to leg discrepancies and amputation checkups; it was SO exciting. My cheeks genuinely hurt from smiling the entire 4.5 hours I was there. Fractures are truly becoming my love language, but WOW I did not anticipate loving it so much. As cool as all the X-rays, prosthetics, and casts are, I think my favorite part of the day was seeing the bond Dr. Sanders had with the kids. She genuinely glowed seeing the amputee babies finally taking their first steps and telling a patient they could return to play after taking off their cast. The most heart-warming, though, was seeing her tear up as she released a patient who had undergone a tibial osteotomy and hexapod treatment. He had been with her for a total of 4 years and their hug goodbye at the end was so endearing. I could tell his improvement meant the world to her, and I can only hope to be such an amazing practitioner one day.
My second experience shadowing was with Dr. Gaia Georgopoulos who has been an orthopedic surgeon here at Children’s for about 35 years. She’s going to retire this following January, so I got some really good insight on what it means to be a doctor from her. It was also very interesting to hear her stories of how medicine has changed. For example, when she started, orthopedic surgeons practiced everything related to orthopedics and did not specialize, so she was forced to pick a specialty very late in her career! Even though we spent the day focused on clubfoot and infant hip dysplasia, her knowledge of the entire field was very evident. I got to spend an entire 7 hours following her and watching her do cast after cast on clubfeet and consult after consult for hip dysplasia harnesses. Because I work in the OB at home, clubfoot and hip dysplasia are both conditions I’m somewhat familiar with, so it was cool to see something relevant to what I do.
Finally, I ended my week by shadowing Dr. Georgopoulos in the operating room. I spent a total of 11 hours in the OR on Thursday, and it was such an amazing experience. The OR provided a completely different side of orthopedics, and I absolutely loved it. Both the physical aspects and fast pace were completely enthralling; I don’t think I could have ever gotten bored. I saw osteotomies, hardware removals, guided growth, and so much more. I am hopeful that I’ll make it back into the OR before we have to leave so that I can try to absorb as much as possible. Overall, the environment of the OR was so addictive that I can’t imagine myself practicing anywhere else.
I couldn’t finish my blog without adding a bit about what fun Colorado things I’ve done! Ella and I have made ourselves busy, hiking, concert-going, and exploring campus when we have the opportunity.
We enjoyed our day at the Strauss Health Sciences Library. They had so many cool resources to see. We also attended the Morgan Wallen concert at Empower Field together which is certainly going to be a favorite memory. Finally, we met up with our fellow Cornell classmate, Cameron Reimers, to hike up in Idaho Springs. Cameron is also doing research at Anschutz, so it was fun to catch up and share stories. We’ve had a busy last few weeks for sure, but I am sure it will only continue to get busier!
Cameron, Ella, and I starting our hike by St. Mary’s Glacier.