Scott R Grewe MD, FAAOS
President Emeritus, Orthopedics Northwest
Orthopedic Surgeon- Sports Medicine, Knee and Shoulder Surgery
Tigard, OR
Member Since: 1989
As an Emeritus Member, which AAOS resources do you use most and why?
I primarily read JAAOS, CORR, and the CME opportunities. I recertified at retirement but enjoy the intellectual stimulation.
If you were mentoring a new member, what important advice would you give them as they progress in their career?
Follow your heart. Pick a subspecialty you love, not based on some algorithm or spreadsheet. If you don’t follow your passion you won't reach your full potential.
Keep your skills up. Over the years I considered giving up privileges at certain hospitals or focusing on sports only. I ended up championing a robotic knee arthroplasty program that became a large part of my practice. The work to maintain your competence is easier than regaining a skill you lost.
Maintain contact with your co-residents, fellows, and peers. Meetings are great, but sometimes I learn the most from having a beer with my cohorts and talking about how we do things in our own practice. You don’t get that online.
It’s a long journey. Have fun along the way!
What aspect of retirement surprised you the most?
I was surprised by how busy I am in retirement. I started practice in Portland, Oregon doing Level 1 trauma and a private sports medicine practice. I was the team physician for a university, taught residents, ran a free Monday night sports clinic for disadvantaged students, volunteered for the Mountain Medical Clinic, Shriners Hospital for Children, and US Soccer, and had a family with two small children. After residency, a trauma fellowship, and a sports medicine fellowship I thought that was a normal amount of activity. Now that I am a retired empty nester there aren’t enough hours in the day.
What hobbies do you enjoy in your spare time?
I am an avid cyclist, both road and mountain. It is my main aerobic exercise. I also play tennis and Pickleball. Skiing is my favorite activity. I love cooking, travel, reading, gardening, archery, fly fishing, and projects in my shop. I fly sailplanes and airplanes.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know?
I was a ski instructor at age 16. Except for a pandemic closure I haven’t missed a week of heliskiing in 28 years.