* * They only took you in ortho because they needed more women. (Upon hearing I matched at Columbia) How long do you plan to practice? (Cocktail hour at residency graduation) It’s too physical you better start lifting weights. You have a pretty face, just lose the weight and you will find someone (post call 36th hour) You can’t have a family and be a skilled surgeon. No one in our culture will marry you if you become a surgeon. The department worries about a pregnancy. (At an interview) What should we do with all the pregnant women in the OR? (Discussion at an OR productivity meeting) You just work part time, right? Wait- so you will be performing the surgery? When so and so had her baby we barely knew she was gone- she covered all her calls and her inbox. We will tell the department you are spending time with your babies. (Upon being pushed out during my second maternity leave) You can’t start a private practice here it’s too saturated. Out of network? Why would they come see you? * * * It’s hard not to believe what is said to you over and over again. It’s hard not to doubt your dreams. It becomes necessary to build a thick skin to protect the confidence your parents instilled in you & your partner nourished. It’s hard to take risk and believe that it may actually work out. It’s hard to pave a way you haven’t seen too many achieve. It’s hard to manifest the life you designed for yourself. I 100 percent am on social media to show young women (& men) that you can think outside the box. You can design a life that fulfills you. You can have all the things you dreamed of. I am also here to support success in whatever way it looks to you. Maybe that’s becoming a surgeon. Maybe it’s recognizing a career isn’t what fulfills you. Maybe it’s a family that you want to grow or maybe it’s not. Maybe you want to start a business, be a leader, have a seat at the table or make your own damn table. You can do anything you want. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Don’t let anyone take your spirit away or bleed doubt into your head. And get yourself some gorgeous surgical green @wearfigs scrubs while you show the naysayers you were meant for greatness.