As I mentioned in my last post, walking has been the cornerstone of my journey toward a healthier life. But honestly? It’s provided so much more than just physical results. Walking has become my “me time.” It’s when I catch up on audiobooks and podcasts, or use the hands-free time to call mentors, colleagues, and […]
Author: rkhmd
Physician, Heal Thyself – My Weight Loss Journey and 2026 New Year’s Resolution
As we enter 2026, I want to talk about a significant life update for me. In May 2025, I weighed 206 pounds. I was overweight. I didn’t feel good. I wasn’t being productive. How did I get there? I got lazy! I got up in the morning, and I went to work. I did my […]
“Real Fast”
When I was a younger surgeon, I was obsessed with efficiency. That translated in its most simple form to being fast. I wanted to get cases done and do as much as I could possibly squeeze into a day. The OR promotes this activity. Everyone praises you for being able to do cases quickly. Productivity, […]
How to Excel in an Orthopaedic Surgery Sub-Internship, v 2.0
Orthopaedic surgery residency has never been more competitive. If you look at the statistics, matching can be a little more than a coin toss. Given that, when you get an opportunity to work with residents and faculty one-on-one, it is crucial not to waste that time. It’s essential to understand who is usually on a […]
Why Do Physicians Have to Be Leaders?
“Why can’t I just work here?” is a question that many physicians may ask at the end of a long day. There are many tasks to be completed. There is a never-ending supply of work to be done. On top of that, no matter how much work we get done, it seems like there is […]
10 Commandments of Orthopaedic Surgery
According to Ryan K Harrison…. (In no particular order) -Don’t ignore pain out of proportion to your exam -Don’t varus. -When you can’t see the skin, you’ve applied enough padding. -When the nurse asks you to come and see the patient, just go. -Touch every bone and move every joint, you’ll never miss anything. -Don’t […]
Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life!
You spent 13 years in K-12, four years as an undergraduate student, and four years in medical school, plus/minus whatever other education or sidequests you may have been on. You survived writing a personal statement and going through interviews, creating a rank list, and the age-old ritual of opening that envelope to find out where […]
Don’t Drown in the Suck
When talking to students considering medicine as a career, I talk about all of the advantages or taking care of patients. I also say to everyone – “Remember, it is still a JOB.“ Physicians are stuck in the middle these days. The expectations are high, and rightfully so. Our patients’ lives and livelihoods are on […]
Paralyzation or Triumph in Difficulty
We’ve all been there. We’ve been at the difficult junction in a case or found surgical progress stalled. We’ve planned for all possible paths a procedure might lead us down, but we operate on the human body, and not everything is predictable in every case. Perhaps something irreplaceable has fallen onto the floor or is […]
The Patient, A Doctor and Their Shadow
The doctor-patient relationship is a truly remarkable bond. On regular days, patients come into clinics and hospitals and tell a relative stranger about their life, sometimes details they do not tell their closest friends and family. On their worst days, patients are transported to emergency departments and trauma centers in extreme duress, with life and limb-threatening […]