Julio Rodriguez Jr, MD
Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon
Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center
Johnstown, Pennsylvania
How has the AAOS helped you throughout your career?
The AAOS has helped me throughout my career by providing me access to educational resources for Board preparation, live webinars, primary literature, cadaveric courses, and networking opportunities. As an orthopaedic surgeon, I believe it is vital to stay active in the AAOS as it is the one entity that unites us all no matter what subspecialty you practice and has the ability to implement change at the national level.
As a Candidate Member, which AAOS resources do you use most and why?
As a Candidate Member, the AAOS resources that I currently find myself using the most are the AAOS courses, video theater, biologics dashboard, Orthoinfo for patient education, and Clinical Practice Guidelines. I would say the AAOS courses are by far the most beneficial tool. Their wide array of hands-on and online courses allow for continuous learning that is amenable to a busy schedule. The ability to obtain CME credits through these online resources is extremely beneficial as well. The video theater is a nice tool because it contains videos that have been vetted from a trusted resource that are helpful in providing surgical techniques, tips, and tricks from surgeons all across the world. The biologics dashboard is a unique resource that allows me to siphon through evidence pertaining to available biologics and allows me to make an informed decision regarding what biologics to use when treating patients. Orthoinfo is a resource that I find highly useful to provide information to patients pertaining to their pathology that is informative and easy to digest. With so much information available on the web and patients becoming more informed about their health through online resources, it is important to have an evidenced based resource that I trust to provide patients with accurate information regarding their condition. Lastly, the AAOS Clinical Practice Guidelines provide evidence-based programs for diagnosis, treatment, and postoperative protocols that I find useful in my practice.
What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
The best advice I was ever given was from my mother when she told me to never settle for less and that I should always strive to be the best. My mother has by far been the most influential person in my life and I am the person I am today because of her.
What’s your go-to productivity trick?
My go-to productivity trick is a double espresso. It has never failed me.
What’s one thing you’re currently trying to make a habit?
The one thing I am currently attempting to make a habit of is to spend more time with my family. I am married with three children and make an active effort to spend as much time as possible with them but sometimes I find myself working at home. I have been making a significant effort to finish all work prior to getting home so that I can maximize the quality time spent with my family.
What hobbies do you enjoy in your spare time?
Things that I enjoy doing in my spare time are traveling, fishing, watching movies/shows, playing billiards, racing cars, eating at new restaurants, and spending time with my family.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know?
A fun fact about myself that not many people know about is that prior to choosing a career in orthopaedic surgery I wanted to specialize in psychiatry. When treating patients, it is important to take into account their psychology to maximize their outcomes. I find myself taking this into account on a daily basis when treating my patients. It is of particular importance in the traumatically injured patient.