Everyday Oral Surgery Dr. Brent Ward: Advice for Young Surgeons on Making Sound Decisions for Their Career, Patients, and Family
Residency is one of the hardest parts of becoming an oromaxillofacial surgeon, made even harder when trying to juggle a work-life-family balance. Talking to us today about finding this balance, is Dr. Brent Ward, father, surgeon, man of God, and Chalmers J. Lyons Professor Section Head and Chairman of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Michigan. Through his extensive career in academia, Brent has had the opportunity to advise and learn from students, fellows, registrars, and surgeons alike, and he has taken it all in! We hear about the clinical research he is currently involved in, and why a group of people is always smarter than a single person. Brent also gives his perspective on the world of academia and the pros and cons of it, compared to private practice. We hear the advice he gives to young surgeons about chasing success and money, and why it's so important to collaborate with your fellows. For all this, and so much more, tune in today!
Key Points From This Episode:
- Welcome to Dr. Brent Ward, Chalmers J. Lyons Professor Section Head and Chairman of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Michigan.
- How Brent found his passion for oromaxillofacial surgery via medical school.
- Managing a family during a residency and what Brent’s kids are doing now.
- Opioid vs non-opioid in third molar situations: Brent’s experience and why he is so interested in researching the dosage of opioids OMFS should use.
- Where the field is heading in terms of opioid use and prescription.
- The breakdown of the Opioid Analgesic Reduction Study.
- The importance of realizing that a group of people is always smarter than a single person.
- Why Grant started this podcast, and his goals of creating discourse, sharing, and humility, in the profession.
- Making careful choices whether you compete, avoid, accommodate, compromise or collaborate.
- Why you need to choose your first hundred cases wisely.
- Grant and Brent’s positive experiences of sharing cases and advice with other surgeons.
- Considering academia or private practice: Brent’s advice on weighing up the pros and cons.
- Brent’s advice on the financial disparity between private practice and academia, and what fellowship programs are doing to bridge the gap.
- Debunking the misconception that surgeons in academia work longer hours.
- Making a difference every day: what Brent’s favorite quote is, and why.
- The difference between happiness and joy.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Dr. Brent Ward Email — bward@umich.edu
Dr. Brent Ward Phone — 734-936-5950
The Opioid Analgesic Reduction Study — https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04452344
Dr. Brent Ward’s Slide on Compete, Avoid, Accommodate, Compromise or Collaborate —https://www.negotiations.com/articles/negotiation-conflict-profiles/
Dr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.com
Dr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720-441-6059