By Gregory G. Gallant MD, MBA

I would like to thank ASSH Perspectives for allowing me to give my opinion on “what does it mean to be a great hand surgeon?” First of all, I am never comfortable saying that I am great at anything. I think it goes back to when I first drove a car at the age of 16. At that time, I would only admit that I was a good driver and not a great driver. I felt that if I called myself a great driver, I was doomed to wrecking the family station wagon.

Anyone could be a good hand surgeon with the proper training. I think that the qualities of a good hand surgeon are basically the 3A’s. Affability, ability, and availability. But to be a great hand surgeon I feel means something more.

I think a great hand surgeon connects very well with their patients. Treating them as if they were a family member while figuring out how to best serve them. Then implementing a specific plan and sharing it with them. Always being there if they want to talk or have a problem. And always seeing them through to their maximum recovery. Always doing their best for that specific patient.

Medicine is all about giving and that’s why we all did it for a career. A great hand surgeon continues to give as well as listen. We all know the great feeling we get from helping someone. It is truly immeasurable. I have many friends who have made a lot of money in real estate, law, investment banking, etc. But one thing I have found is that they don’t ever have this feeling of helping another human being in the fashion that we do.

I feel that a great hand surgeon always keeps up with the literature and latest techniques. They give back by using experience and knowledge to teach others, and if not in a teaching practice setting, by writing or contributing to the literature. A great hand surgeon always keeps an open mind and is respectful of other physicians and other techniques even if they do not perform these themselves. A great hand surgeon will always refer to another physician who is more experienced in doing a procedure that they themselves are not comfortable performing.

I have been practicing now as a hand surgeon for 30 years and I must admit that I enjoy working much more now than I have in the past. The reason is I have finally realized that being a hand surgeon is not work. It is a major part of who I am. It is about helping people who need your help and having the satisfaction of having done so. My dad always said to me if you’re going to do something make sure you do it to the best of your ability. If all hand surgeons listened to my dad I think they would all be great. 🙂