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Who Is Your Biggest Role Model?

By Steven M. Green, MD

Answer: My Father.

I hope the following will help the reader understand how I could reach this conclusion without a moment’s hesitation. My Father’s Residency in Orthopedic Surgery at the Hospital for Joint Diseases in New York City (now known as the NYU-Langone Orthopedic Hospital) was interrupted when, during World War II, he became a Flight Surgeon. After the war ended, he resumed his residency, returning to NYC with his young bride and two sons. In August of 1948, he was given permission to travel to North Carolina to treat victims of polio. About two weeks after he returned from that one-month elective, he himself was stricken with this disease, causing total paralysis of his dominant shoulder and loss of active elbow flexion. He underwent surgery by Leo Mayer, an expert in this malady, which included a shoulder fusion and a “Steindler Flexorplasty.” When my Mother went to HJD to visit him and wanted some private time with him, she enlisted some of his co-residents as babysitters. I have vivid memories of soon-to-be famous doctors playing with us in a park across from the hospital (Howard Rosen, an early adapter of AO, Melvin Jahss, who many rank as a father of foot surgery, and Jacob Graham, a well respected spine surgeon).

Hydrotherapy was an integral part of rehabilitation: I clearly remember swimming with him, along with his physical therapist, in the hospital’s heated swimming pool and doing strengthening exercises. Upon completion of his orthopedic training, my Father joined Leo Mayer in practice. My Father made a spectacular recovery, no doubt due to his great medical care and the extreme effort he expended. Orthopedic Surgery at that time was a hammer and chisel occupation — no power equipment so common today. He resumed playing tennis and golf and there was no limitation to his activity. My Dad never evidenced any remorse for having volunteered in North Carolina. His diary from that time is filled with gratefulness that he could participate in the recovery of those affected with polio.

My Father must have sensed that he and I shared many similarities. He taught me how to play golf and was my first swimming instructor. He had been a collegiate swimmer and I also became one. He loved the outdoor life and was an avid Boy Scout. We both became Eagle Scouts. He enjoyed wood carving and sculpting, and I still use his tools in my workshop. He saw that I was intrigued by nature, so he put some of our fish tank water on a slide and, using his medical school microscope, showed me the hidden aquatic world, asking me to draw what I had seen swimming around.

A roadkill squirrel became an anatomy lab in the backyard, as did a dead robin.

Tragedy struck my Dad again; at the age of 40, he died of a glioblastoma. Some would wonder if I became an Orthopedic Hand Surgeon to please or replace my Father. I reject that notion as he became my role model and mentor long before his death.

Hero: someone of distinguished courage or ability, admired by others for his brave deeds and noble qualities. I was fortunate to have had a Father who was one. I close with what he wrote and kept over his desk at work. It has had a similar place in my office.

The Nine Commandments

  1. Define your problem
  2. Give full credit to others
  3. Look all around your subject
  4. Search for contrary evidence
  5. Do not generalize from the particular
  6. Acknowledge your mistakes
  7. Postpone your judgement
  8. Mistrust your conclusions
  9. Finish your work

Steven M. Green, MD
New York, NY

Comment (1)
Larry Schneider
September 12, 2019 11:26 pm

Steve Green, A wonderful essay! Larry S.

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