BLOG: Here’s to the old guys (and gals)

ByJohn A. Hovanesian, MD, FACS

Whether we trained in the U.S. or abroad, close to our present home or far, we carry from our mentors an indelible mark on our careers, and for most of us their influence becomes more important and even more cherished with time. Mentorship happens not only in training, but also in our practices if we are lucky enough to have senior partners or special relationships with other practitioners we see regularly. Each mentor imparts many lessons. For each there is usually one memory or quote that is most emblematic of our special relationship.

In this blog, I’d like to salute a few of my own “old guy” (and gal) mentors and share their own wisdom, presented either verbatim or paraphrased. These are all people I trained under or worked with side by side. These are all ideas that I think about nearly every day.

“Ophthalmology is the most exciting specialty you could ever consider. Think about becoming an ophthalmologist.” Told to me when I was about 6 by my childhood ophthalmologist, Conrad Giles, MD, who is still practicing.

“Don’t be afraid to tell a patient when you don’t have all the answers.” – Daniel Steen, MD

“Diplopia is better than no plopia at all.” – David Carey, MD

“Do not nick the knot with Mack the Knife” – David Bogorad, MD

“Set appropriate expectations for your patients, then exceed them.” – Bob Lesser, MD

“The right thing to do for your patient is usually not the easy thing to do. Do the right thing anyway.” – Murray Christianson, MD

“Doctor, wear a tie when you see patients, or I will rip out your heart and throw it, still beating, down the stairs.” – Cornelius McCole, MD

“Run toward, not away, from your most complicated patients. They need you most.” – Julian Nussbaum, MD

“In cornea you can do anything you want as long as you follow the patient closely.” – Bartly Mondino, MD

“Be humble, be devoted and be honored that your patients trust you with their eyesight, their most precious gift.” – Gary Holland, MD

“Always see the world from your patient’s perspective first. Then educate them from that viewpoint. You will have their attention, and they will appreciate that you listened.” – Robert Maloney, MD my fellowship director

“Keep explanations very simple and in layman’s terms. Patients don’t want to be trained in ophthalmology. They just want to see better.” – Edward Kim, MD

“Spare the sedation, spoil the referral.” – Kean Ganan, DO, my anesthesiologist for 20 years

“Building harmony among doctors and staff is more important than making an extra dollar.” – Diana Kersten, MD

“Have fun with your patients. It builds trust and makes your work day immeasurably fun.” – Roger Ohanesian, MD

In the near future, my senior partner and the founder of Harvard Eye Associates in Laguna Hills, California, Roger Ohanesian, will be seeing his last patient exams of his career. While his white coat will be hung up for good, his presence will never fade from the culture of our practice and the hearts of all who know him. Like all our mentors, his wisdom will carry on in our practices and those we train.

And what greater payback can we give the “giants” in our lives than treating our patients with the same dedication that symbolized the careers of our mentors.

Disclosure: Hovanesian reports no relevant financial disclosures.