Voices for change: Celebrating diversity within the AO

A real case in point: I was at a STARBASE function, and somebody said they wanted to see a surgeon, and I just happened to be there,” recounting a long-term mentor/mentee relationship that began four years ago at function hosted by the United States Department of Defense STARBASE program, which introduces elementary school students to science and technology. “That kid and I are still engaged to this day and that was four years ago. He has my number for texting me and he has my e-mail address and consults me all of the time. This happens all of the time in medical school and residency as well. Bottom line: That is what AO Access can do for AO members and their future.”

Ultimately, he says, equitable access will benefit patients.

“Medical schools are no longer teaching basic memorization, but how to seek and discover information and—more importantly—relate to patients,” he says. “If you truly relate to your patients and the patient trusts you, those patients will achieve better outcomes.”