Episode 28, Season 2. Chuck and Chris are joined by Jeff Stepan and Steve Lanier, two previous fellows both finishing their first year in hand surgery practice. Jeff and Steve share their experiences starting practice in Chicago, in somewhat different practices. Jeff is at the University of Chicago, Steve at NorthShore.
Jeff and Steve are leading a Symposium at the ASSH on Saturday October 2nd at 9:30am, Free Solo: Letting Go of the Rope - Lessons Learned from the First Year in Practice. Should be great!
As always, thanks to @iampetermartin for the amazing introduction and conclusion music.
theupperhandpodcast.wustl.edu. And thanks to Eric Zhu, aspiring physician and podcast intern.
Survey Link:
Help Chuck and Chris understand better what you like and what we can improve. And be entered for drawing to win a mug! https://bit.ly/349aUvz
Episode 28, Season 2. Chuck and Chris are joined by Jeff Stepan and Steve Lanier, two previous fellows both finishing their first year in hand surgery practice. Jeff and Steve share their experiences starting practice in Chicago, in somewhat different practices. Jeff is at the University of Chicago, Steve at NorthShore.
Jeff and Steve are leading a Symposium at the ASSH on Saturday October 2nd at 9:30am, Free Solo: Letting Go of the Rope - Lessons Learned from the First Year in Practice. Should be great!
As always, thanks to @iampetermartin for the amazing introduction and conclusion music.
theupperhandpodcast.wustl.edu. And thanks to Eric Zhu, aspiring physician and podcast intern.
Survey Link:
Help Chuck and Chris understand better what you like and what we can improve. And be entered for drawing to win a mug! https://bit.ly/349aUvz
Welcome to the upper hand where Chuck and Chris
Chris Dy:We are two hand surgeons at Washington
Charles Goldfarb:Thank you for subscribing. Wherever you get
Chris Dy:And be sure to leave a review, that helps us get the
Charles Goldfarb:Oh, hey, Chris.
Chris Dy:Hey, Chuck, how are you?
Charles Goldfarb:I'm doing great tonight. How are you?
Chris Dy:I am well, I am well. We're excited. We're kicking off
Charles Goldfarb:Are you sure it's recurring? Because first,
Chris Dy:Yeah, well, you know, we, our talent has signed on for
Charles Goldfarb:We did. So do you want to do the honors and
Chris Dy:Yeah. So we thought it'd be great to to introduce a prior academic year. So this was 2019 to 2020. Jeff Stepan and
Jeff Stepan:Thank you for having us. Amazing.
Steve Lanier:Thank you. It's an honor to be here.
Chris Dy:Steve already is in possession of an upper hand
Jeff Stepan:Yeah, I've been putting in all the reviews, you
Charles Goldfarb:We'll see. Well, maybe we'll we'll see what
Chris Dy:So why don't we before we kick off with Steve, why
Steve Lanier:Sure. Yes, I grew up in Houston, Texas, state of which got me interested in being a surgeon. And so that kind of fellowship after that. And then now I'm back practicing hand
Chris Dy:Something about the Midwest got you hooked on.
Steve Lanier:Well, something and, and my wife.
Charles Goldfarb:And Jeff, would you do the same please?
Jeff Stepan:Yes, absolutely. So I grew up in the San Francisco then got me interested in orthopedics and hand surgery. I
Chris Dy:So, Jeff, we did not overlap in our residency
Jeff Stepan:I was I was actually on 4g, but I remember
Chris Dy:For those of you that are unaware and at at the HSS few questions that maybe would help any listeners that are And then Jeff, so you're in more of a private practice
Steve Lanier:Yeah, they really have been. Yeah, and I've been know, practice group at the hospital. And so, you know, what So, you know, for me, there weren't a whole lot of question major. And basically, it's been what I was expecting, you know,
Charles Goldfarb:That's a really good summary. So thank
Jeff Stepan:Yeah, I mean, I think that when I was looking population and taking care of this south, South Side of
Charles Goldfarb:Perfect, well, maybe we'll delve a little we'll start with Jeff, this time, talk about how your that going? Now? One year in?
Jeff Stepan:Yeah, that's, that's a great question. So no,
Chris Dy:Not yet.
Jeff Stepan:Yeah, yeah, maybe not yet. Maybe not ever? We patients, and we take call from the elbow down, so we get a lot, get some referrals of, you know, family, friends or family that's
Chris Dy:And Steve what about you? How have things been in
Steve Lanier:Yeah, it's it's been a mix. I mean, I'm in the that Northshore has focused on a lot in my practice is an there are a lot of primary care sports med doctors who are part directions is getting to know all the primary care sportsmen always the first available hand appointment and so people call
Charles Goldfarb:I love that. And you know the the classic I'm But I love that you found a group to reach out to and better
Steve Lanier:Yeah, there's been a little bit of sort of internal fun. But it most mostly it's been kind of internal
Chris Dy:So Steve, have you hit the sweet spot of not having to
Steve Lanier:Well, they definitely don't want me taking
Chris Dy:The femur is just a very big metacarpal. I mean,
Steve Lanier:But I haven't needed to take general plastics which is my preference.
Chris Dy:Great. How about you, Jeff, what's what's your call
Jeff Stepan:Yeah, I'm fortunate that I also only take hand basically split up the call evenly. So it ends up being very Although call here in the summer gets very busy as I found out
Charles Goldfarb:It's a good thing, summer is like two
Jeff Stepan:Right. That's the truth, that's the truth.
Charles Goldfarb:Be honest, for our listeners, and then we'll fellowship. But how has this year been in that regard for
Steve Lanier:Yeah, I mean, I think, you know, for me, in instances where, you know, you have no outcomes from surgery, thinking, you know, is there a chance that I you know, cut this stress that you that you feel that didn't have as much in
Charles Goldfarb:Chris does that go away?
Chris Dy:You know, there she there was a case I think I did a don't ever want it to feel like the cost of doing business. You clearly Chuck and I are biased, but you guys are really well
Steve Lanier:I have to agree with that.
Charles Goldfarb:Yeah, it's it is interesting. I agree. I like know it'll work out fine. Yeah, it's super interesting. All
Jeff Stepan:I think it is pretty stressful. And I know I anything else, you know, I'm sure there and everything's that you guys have felt along with trying to build your because it is it has been stressful. But to be honest, you I think that was very important to me in choosing the fellowship
Chris Dy:So who's with you guys in the OR? So you know, Steve, then after that, Jeff, who works with you in the OR?
Steve Lanier:Yeah, all of the above. So it's very, very for getting residents coming to my cases, mostly plastic surgery, system, but usually operate with my senior partner.
Chris Dy:Great. And Jeff, who do you have? I'm assuming you
Jeff Stepan:Yeah. Before before I say that I had the plastic morning, or Wednesday all day. And they have they have those challenges. And I've been learning how to do that as I go.
Chris Dy:So I'll say one thing about that, you know, I remember think twice about it. I just kind of you know, said okay, you want to do it and then obviously operating the way you into practice, and you don't have a trainee with you,
Charles Goldfarb:Oh, I agree with that completely. And I'm with a trainee, not only do you have to ensure the case goes
Chris Dy:So why don't we Why don't we get a little, as we get you? What's the biggest difference in your life now?
Jeff Stepan:Yeah, I mean, having a little bit of control glimmer of control, I think is the biggest thing. And we have of life change for us now, besides recent, both of us
Charles Goldfarb:Steve?
Steve Lanier:Yeah, I mean, I completely agree with Jeff, doing or should be doing even when you're not doing it. And so So, yeah, it feels like in less than a year, you know, a lot has
Charles Goldfarb:All right. Final question for both of you. that'd be residents or fellows, knowing now what you didn't
Steve Lanier:Well, it's kind of geared towards looking at jobs,
Charles Goldfarb:However you want to answer.
Steve Lanier:Sure. I think just one thing that I have been very onboarding process and sort of guidance through every step of sense for you know, who that person will be for you, and are
Charles Goldfarb:That's great advice is very helpful. Yeah
Jeff Stepan:Well, definitely no Sage wisdom from me. But I think want it you want to be involved in you know, x society deeply have any extra time. I feel like it's all four of you. I just try set you up for success.
Chris Dy:That's great. And like Chuck said, thank you to both of that'll be a listener grab bag, you guys can email what you want our two former fellows got this great symposium, accepted called Center in San Francisco. So 9:30am congrats to both of you
Charles Goldfarb:Yeah, thank thank you guys. Both. I know
Jeff Stepan:Yeah, we can't. We can't give away all of our
Charles Goldfarb:Alright, thank you guys. Hey, Chris. That was
Chris Dy:Sounds good. Well, be sure to check us out on Twitter
Charles Goldfarb:Mine is@congenitalhand. What about you?
Chris Dy:Mine is @ChrisDyMD spelled d y. And if you'd like
Charles Goldfarb:And remember, please subscribe wherever you
Chris Dy:And be sure to leave a review that helps us get the
Charles Goldfarb:Special thanks to Peter Martin for the amazing