Elizabeth Lord, MD
Assistant Professor Orthopaedic Surgery
University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
How has the AAOS helped you throughout your career?
AAOS has given me a chance to interact with leaders in the field. Especially at Academy, I’ve been able to connect with leaders in orthopaedic and spine surgery from across the country that I might never have met otherwise.
As a Candidate Member, which AAOS resources do you use most and why?
I read JAAOS and, especially during lockdown, attended educational webinars.
What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
I like the stoics, it’s hard to pick just one piece of advice. Lately I’ve been reflecting on Epictetus’ quote "It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows." Especially in spine surgery, there are so many unknowns. We must balance gold standard treatments with moving the field forward, often with imperfect data. It’s critical that we remain humble and open about our knowledge.
What’s your go-to productivity trick?
I keep running task lists and prioritize each task whenever I sit down to work. I also try to be internally consistent, doing things with the same technique in the same order every time.
What’s one thing you’re currently trying to make a habit?
Sitting with my initial reaction to an event or comment rather than responding immediately.
What hobbies do you enjoy in your spare time?
I travel as much as I can; I enjoy eating and wine tasting. California has great hiking, so I like to get out to the mountains with my dog. I’m also obsessed with Peloton and Pilates.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know?
As a child I was bitten by a rock hyrax, which is the elephant’s closest living relative but looks more like a guinea pig. I was unwisely trying to feed it a Triscuit.