Orthopaedic Surgery Information and Interviews

John H. Healey, M.D.
Degree(s): B.S., M.D.
Title(s), Position(s): Professor of Surgery, Chief of Orthopaedic Service
University Affiliation: Weill Cornell Medical College
Hospital Affiliation: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Biography: undergraduate, medical school, residency, fellowship, additional training
Yale BS 74, U. Vermont MD 78, Hospital for Special Surgery Residency, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Fellowship

What attracted you to Orthopaedic surgery?

I liked the others in the field. The chairman was an influential role model, clinician and scientist.

Why did you choose Orthopaedic surgery? When did you start to think about this choice? (during your basic science years/clinical years/extracurricular activities)

Clinical Years

Throughout your training, what has been the hardest thing to deal with?

Time Management

Do you have any suggestions (exposure) or advice for pre-medical and medical students considering a career in Orthopaedic surgery?

Learn as much general medicine and general surgery as you can.

Do you have any particular memories from your residency/fellowship/training that you would like to share?

May be beyond the scope of this questionnaire

What would you say is the most common medical condition seen by Orthopaedic surgery today?

Internal derangement of knee

What would you say is the most challenging problem or aspect in/of Orthopaedic surgery today?

Spinal disease

What do you see as the three most important advances in Orthopaedic surgery over the past 10-20 years?

Uncemented arthroplasty, distraction osteogenesis, spinal instrumentation

What do you see as the three most important advances in Orthopaedic surgery over the next 10-20 years?

Tissue engineering
1. Bone segments 2. cartilage surfaces. 3. soft tissue attachment to bone.

How will Orthopaedic surgery look in 10-20 years and how will the health care system affect it?

Ubiquitous trauma coverage for fracture and soft tissue injuries. High quality reconstructive surgery, gene therapy, tissue engineering to wealthy, lowest common denominator basic coverage for others - More like Plastic Surgery.

Throughout your career as an Orthopaedic surgeon, is there a particular case that stands out in your mind?

Yes, Total hip-femur-knee and thoracotomy for metastatic osteosarcoma - 17 year cure.

What are some of the most rewarding aspects of Orthopaedic surgery?

"Thank you" from the patients.

What are your hobbies outside of work and how do you balance your hectic work schedule and family?

Hobbies are on hold. Family is priority with near daily participation in their sports activities.

How would you summarize Orthopaedic surgery in one word, phrase, or sentence?

Effective

What are the advantages/disadvantages of doing year-long fellowships?

Continuity of care, see the evolution of disease, 1-to-1 mentorship.

What are some of the advantages/disadvantages of private versus academic practice?

Private practice advantages: No dean's tax, real estate ownership, and business independence. Disadvantages: Payroll, regulatory issues, intellectual isolation, local politics.

Academic disadvantages: Dean's Tax, academic heirarchy, inner city problems, old facilities, impoverished population: Advantages: Best and brightest colleagues, most interesting practice, greatest lasting contribution (including students)

Can you describe your normal daily/weekly/monthly work schedule to me?

Daily - M 7:00am to 11:00pm, Tues - 6:30am - 8:00pm, Wed 7:00am - 8PM, Thurs - 6Am - 10pm Fri 7AM - 8pm, Sat/Sun 1-6 hrs when off call, 48 hrs on call.

Weekly as above

Annual 2 weeks vacation + 3 weeks academic meetings, lectures, etc.

If you could change anything about your Orthopaedic training, what would it be?

Nothing

What do you consider the most important thing to look for in a residency program? The 2nd, 3rd, 4th?

1. Spouse should be happy
2. University based program
3. best fellowship placement

What sets one residency program apart from another?

Comprehensiveness (eg Pediatrics, trauma, Tumor as well as sports med. and join replacement), National/international Visibility - reputation defined by number of publications and then quality atmosphere, resident satisfaction

Is there anything that you can think of to add to my list here?

Report of the residency review committee (RRC)