Trevor Ottofaro, MD
Foot and Ankle Fellow
Emory Orthopaedics
Atlanta, GA
Member Since: 2019
How has the AAOS helped you throughout your career?
The resources the AAOS provides have helped guide me through residency all the way to finding a job. The Yellow Journal articles were useful throughout my time as a resident and the practice questions/ROCK curriculum helped get me ready for the OITE as well ABOS Part 1. Most recently, I used the career center to help with my job search.
As a Fellowship Member, which AAOS resources do you use most and why?
The journal has some of the highest-impact orthopaedic literature and the best comprehensive reviews to keep up to date with the latest in orthopaedics. This is especially important for someone who plans to take general calls and care for folks who have more than foot and ankle problems. The career center is also a great spot to look for jobs and filter opportunities based on what is most important to you.
What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
One of my trauma attendings at MUSC, Dr. Hartsock, said: “Never go to the OR hungry”. As someone who loves food, I agree with this wholeheartedly at face value. You can also look at it as, taking care of yourself and making sure you are as prepared as possible before the OR because patients are depending on you to bring your best.
What’s your go-to productivity trick?
Create a calendar. Set time limits to work, study, prepare, and stick to that time. Make sure to even “schedule” time to work out, relax, and time with family. If it is important to you, it belongs on the calendar and can help you stick to your commitments. Even consider sharing it with your significant other/loved ones.
What’s one thing you’re currently trying to make a habit?
Exercising daily and cooking healthy meals. We are all pressed for time, but even a little exercise can help with stress and keep you healthy. Cooking can do the same and save some money.
What hobbies do you enjoy in your spare time?
Other than cooking and trying to exercise, I have picked guitar back up. It is fun to try to learn how to play a song or improvise. It is a nice distraction and helps to foster a creative side that may not always come out at work. Other than that, I love to walk the neighborhood with my wife and Bernese Mountain dog, Tabasco.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know?
I have two:
My grandmother wanted my parents to name me Doctor. I would have been Dr. Doctor. Glad my parents settled on another name
I once ate 12 sushi rolls in one sitting.