Ghazi Rayan, MD, FAAOS
Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery OU College of Medicine
INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center and OU Children Hospital
Oklahoma City, OK
Why did you join AAOS?
The AAOS is the premiere organization that serves orthopaedic surgeons and the mother organization that supports all orthopaedic surgical specialties. It represents the entire orthopaedic discipline and provides its members with the highest quality education in musculoskeletal care.
How do you define success?
The ultimate success in life, for people in our profession, is best accomplished by finding that balance between personal and professional achievements; both pinnacles are essential, entwined and complement each other, thus we should pursue them mutually and not permit one to compromise the other.
Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
My inspiration does not derive from one individual, it emanates from three foundations: my family, my friends, and my teachers. My family and friends offer me the support necessary for a fulfilling personal life, whereas my teachers provided me with the scholarly knowledge essential for my professional success.
How has the AAOS helped you throughout your career?
The AAOS helped my career by enhancing my knowledge through the educational programs it offers and by giving me the opportunity over the years to participate in teaching of instructional courses, symposia, and other curricula.
What advice would you give to new members of AAOS?
Young members of the AAOS are the cornerstone and future of our specialty, they should engage in its committees and governance structure.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know?
I recently coauthored and released a nonfiction book titled Trilogy of Perseverance and Memoirs in the Golden Years. It is entertaining, inspiring, and informative for young and senior readers including orthopedic surgeons. It is a primer of healthy living for the body, mind and spirit and offers personal anecdotes alongside historical references and shares a universal message about the value of hard work, which is quintessential for success. It is available at many book sellers.
Finally, I am a first-generation Immigrant-American and just finished writing a book titled Immigrants Who Founded and Fostered an Early Nation. It describes over 200 entertaining and informative biographies of renowned first-generation immigrant Americans who made contributions crucial to building America, its military, judicial and financial systems, and our country’s economy and prosperity. From First World cultures to recent justices and financers, it seamlessly combines biographies, storytelling, law, and history. A powerful message about the historical importance of immigrants’ achievements and their integration within the fabric of American society, and the beneficence of America’s early policy of inclusivity. The book will be on the shelves next month.