Kate Wilkins Nellans, MD, MPH, FAAOS
Associate Professor, Zucker/Northwell School of Medicine
Program Director, LIJ Orthopedic Surgery Residency
Northwell Health, North Shore University Hospital
New Hyde Park, NY
How has the AAOS helped you throughout your career:
As a member of the AAOS and a brand-new residency program director for the Northwell/Hofstra LIJ Residency Program, I attended the AAOS Orthopedic Educators Conference in 2021 and it truly set me up for success and understanding how to adjust to different learning styles and how to give better feedback.
As an Active Fellow Member, which AAOS resources do you use most and why?
For me, attending the annual meeting and reconnecting with old mentors has been invaluable. The WLA articles each year have also become the basis of our residency journal club series.
What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
Dr. Bill Levine at Columbia was my residency director and had a motto we all lived by: "Unless you are 5 minutes early, you are 10 minutes late." I live by it still!
What’s your go-to productivity trick
My most productive time is 4-5:30 in the morning. I love the quiet, uninterrupted morning hours to take care of research and writing and then plan the day's tasks.
What’s one thing you’re currently trying to make a habit?
For 2025, my goal is to STOP multi-tasking and give my full attention and effort to each piece of work or meeting. This includes being present at home with my family, and not constantly checking emails.
What hobbies do you enjoy in your spare time?
During my free time, I'm often watching my 4 kids play sports- gymnastics, lacrosse, and swimming currently. I enjoy staying active with Peloton rides with other surgeon friends at 6 am for accountability, and we are skiing/snowboarding more now that the kids are a little more independent.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know?
I nearly went to graduate school to study entomology (yes, bugs!).