Francis Lovecchio, MD
Assistant Attending Orthopaedic Surgeon, Spine Service
Hospital for Special Surgery
New York, NY
How has the AAOS helped you throughout your career?
The AAOS has been invaluable in two major ways for me. First, the online resources have been essential for my education. The orthopaedic video theater and ResStudy exposed me to the many ways of practicing and thinking about orthopaedics. Second, I have been attending AAOS meetings since I was a medical student, and I can't say enough about the networking and connections I have made there.
As a Candidate Member, which AAOS resources do you use most and why?
I am a huge fan of the review articles in JAAOS. I routinely refer to them for overviews of different topics, and I periodically re-read my favorite ones.
What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
My parents always stressed the importance of having a strong sense of empathy. We are by-default the centers of our own worlds, understanding others' motivations and challenges is essential to all professional and personal relationships.
What’s your go-to productivity trick?
Matching the task to the expected focus level. I don't force tasks if they are not going efficiently, so I try to anticipate the level of focus or energy I will have before starting something. For example, I will do multiple "low" mental-energy tasks like forms, reading follow up notes, etc. For the weeknights after work, I save the "high" mental-energy tasks like analysis, case preparation, and research writing for extended blocks of time so I can think clearly.
What’s one thing you’re currently trying to make a habit?
I tend to wake up at the very last second. I'm trying to give myself more time in the mornings. It's not going well.
What hobbies do you enjoy in your spare time?
I love playing jazz saxophone, snowboarding, and HBO shows.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know?
Probably that I play the saxophone.