Meredith Bartelstein, MD, FAAOS
Assistant Attending, Orthopaedic Service
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, NY
Member Since: 2013
How has the AAOS helped you throughout your career?
AAOS has been a great learning resource. During training, I used ResStudy for OITE and Board prep. My go-to reviews are from JAAOS. Now, I use the AAOS website to help me with my CME. I’m also involved with the Musculoskeletal Tumor Registry (MsTR) and am excited to see it continue to expand.
As an Active Fellow Member, which AAOS resources do you use most and why?
I’ve been listening to the JAAOS Unplugged podcast – it’s great for my walks between the clinic and the hospital.
What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
A wonderful medical school professor taught me the phrase: “I’ve seen this before, this sometimes happens, I’m not surprised” – it’s powerful and can be very reassuring to patients. During my fellowship, I was also told that it’s okay to see a patient with a colleague. In challenging cases, a team approach can make a big difference!
What’s your go-to productivity trick?
Turn off email notifications! It really cuts back on distractions. Once I started minimizing my inbox and shut off notifications, I was able to get work done faster because I wasn’t interrupting myself all the time.
What’s one thing you’re currently trying to make a habit?
I’m working on daily reading, even 5-10 min a day. It can be medical or just for fun, as long as it happens.
What hobbies do you enjoy in your spare time?
Weekend walks in the park with my family are my favorite, we’re there in almost any weather! I’m also a swimmer – both for exercise and mental health!
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know?
I’m a big tennis fan! I’m lucky to live in NYC because I’m close to the US Open. I was actually there when I found out I’d passed the Boards, so it’s a special memory for me!