Last Trauma Call

Things one needs to be a SURVIVOR

of an Orthopedic Surgery Trauma rotation:

1. Positive Attitude

2. Easy Going Personality

3. Excellent Hand Skills

4. Incredible Bedside Manner

5. Tons & Tons of Knowledge

6. Patience, Patience, & More Patience

7. Very Supportive Family & Friends

8. Never Ending Supply of Diet Dr. Pepper

I got up with Greg this morning to wish him well on his last day of trauma call as a resident. What a great feeling to have this part of our long journey behind us. He always anticipates and enjoys his time on the trauma rotation. He gets to experience incredible (most of which I would consider stomach turning) things. He sees and cares for all different kinds of people, takes care of incredible injuries, puts all he has learned into action, while making split second decisions under tons of pressure. He has said before he loves the excitement and even some of the stress that comes along with his responsibility as the Ortho Trauma Chief Resident. He said it keeps him on his toes and always thinking and learning. While he is always excited to care for the trauma patients he is VERY excited (as am I) when the 2 months of the rotation are over. In the last year (since May 2005) Greg has been on trauma for 6 of the 12 months. Needless to say he is exhausted, both physically and mentally. You probably would never realize this because, as most of you know, Greg doesn't fluster easily and isn't a complainer. He rolls with the punches and balances his very demanding work life with being a wonderful husband and dad. Congrats Babe. You SURVIVED your last trauma rotation!