Catherine A. Logan, MD, MBA, MSPT
Orthopaedic Surgeon, Sports Medicine and
Medical Director/Head League Physician of PLL
Colorado Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics (COSMO)
Denver, CO
Why did you join AAOS?
I joined AAOS as a medical student and attended my first RJOS meeting that year.
Do you currently volunteer with a committee? If yes, which one(s)?
I just completed my term with the AAOS Resident Bowl Committee. Previously, I was a volunteer on the AAOS Annual Meeting Committee and acted as the Resident Delegate for my residency program.
How do you define success?
My definition of success is a moving target. During medical school and training, the definition of success is straightforward...get admitted to a great residency, a desirable fellowship, etc. After training, the options become countless - academics versus private, teaching versus administration, rural versus urban, in addition to a myriad of personal choices to consider. With each passing year, my idea of success is redefined as I move into different stages of life, personally and professionally. There is no cookbook answer, instead, I write down new goals each fall and outline the steps to achieve them. From my perspective, it is most important to evolve.
Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
My biggest inspiration are my parents who are both role models of resilience, hard work and dedication to our community, in addition to their example of a loving marriage of over 50 years.
How has the AAOS helped you throughout your career?
Initially, as a Resident, I greatly benefited from the breadth of educational options at AAOS meetings. Over time, I have derived benefit from committee involvement, attending sessions and reading materials on billing and coding, as well as interacting with colleagues from around the world.
What advice would you give to new members of AAOS?
Volunteering is the best way to get to know members across the country and across orthopaedic subspecialities. Apply broadly to committees as there is much to learn about our field and from our colleagues.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know?
I started working in restaurants at age 14. First, busing tables and washing dishes, then hosting, followed by waiting tables, cigar'ing and bartending. I continued through grad school in my mid-twenties. If I were not in medicine, I would do something in the restaurant space. There are lots of parallels between the kitchen and the OR.