Christian A. Pean, MD
Orthopaedic Trauma Surgery Fellow
Harvard Orthopedic Trauma Initiative, Brigham
Women's Hospital/Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, MA
Fellowship Program you are currently in.
Harvard Orthopedic Trauma Initiative, Brigham and Women's Hospital/Massachusetts General Hospital
Why did you join AAOS?
AAOS is a great organization at the forefront of the field of orthopedic surgery. Involvement in AAOS is a way to contribute to the direction of medicine and surgery from a research, policy, and community perspective.
How do you define success?
I define success on short term and long-term metrics. Taking action to make a positive change in my patients' and team members' lives is an important part of my motivation. Learning one new facet of trauma surgery while keeping this positive energy is how I define success day to day. Then, I look at the sum of my actions and try to make sure I'm contributing to a more longitudinal lasting impact larger than myself in the community whether that's through research, leadership, or advocacy. Those are my metrics for success.
Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
My father is my biggest inspiration. He is a primary care doctor in an underserved region of South Texas. He immigrated to the United States from Haiti amidst political persecution and is one of the most centered, calm, positive people I know. He strived with my mother through tremendous adversity to give my brothers and I every opportunity to succeed. He is my moral compass and inspired me to pursue a career in medicine. Even in his 60s, he is seeing dozens of patients a day and feels an obligation to his community.
How has the AAOS helped you throughout your career?
The opportunity to network and learn about policy and research through involvement with the AAOS has been tremendous for my career trajectory. I've also had the benefit of being involved with the Nth Dimensions Organization and the J. Robert Gladden Orthopaedic Society in connection with AAOS. This has led to many wonderful mentoring opportunities and diversity initiatives that I believe have been impactful for myself as well as others.
What advice would you give to new members of the AAOS?
Dive into the organization and learn as much as you can from mentors in the field. Use the resources AAOS has liberally to help guide your practice, patient care, and colleagues.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know.
When I was a young kid, I wanted to be a paleontologist and I have hundreds of dinosaur names memorized by heart. I didn't end up being a paleontologist, but still ended up in a career focused on bones!