Robert G. DelBello MD, MPH
Orthopaedic Surgery Resident Physician, PGY-1
West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV
How has the AAOS helped you during residency?
The AAOS study resources are essential to any Orthopedic Surgery resident who wants to do well in their clinical practice and have helped me develop my skills as a resident. While I haven’t had the privilege of attending the Annual Meeting for the AAOS, I have heard great things about the opportunities presented to residents and fellows who have attended.
As a Resident Member, which AAOS resources do you use most and why?
The AAOS resources are the best for OITE studying and daily case preparation. I use the AAOS Resident Orthopaedic Core Knowledge (ROCK) chapters and ResStudy because they are quick and easy to access and provide in-depth detail for most, if not all, clinical scenarios.
What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
“Take an hour per day to do something outside of medicine.” One of my mentors from my MD/MPH program gave me this advice while I was a second-year medical student studying for STEP 1, and it has stuck with me ever since. I take this to heart because taking care of yourself during residency is essential. I have always thought that building healthy habits and hobbies outside of work would allow me to be a better person and clinician to Orthopaedic patients.
What’s your go-to productivity trick?
My go-to trick is setting timers while studying. I find that giving 110% to studying for a limited time allows me to maximize both my efficiency and productivity.
What’s one thing you’re currently trying to make a habit?
I am practicing more mindfulness techniques to ground myself better. I have found activities like running and biking help me process the daily stresses of being a resident. Also, my wife and I are expecting our first baby this summer, so I hope these techniques will help me to appreciate these upcoming memories.
What hobbies do you enjoy in your spare time?
I enjoy running (especially on trails), cooking dinner with my wife, eating out with friends, and playing intramural soccer.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know?
Every day, I walk my two dogs with my wife around our neighborhood. Rain or shine, this is a coveted habit that began during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic.