Lessons Learned During 35 Years of Oculoplastic Practice

Jeffrey A. Nerad, MD, FACS, discussed the importance of mentoring in Sunday’s Wendell L. Hughes Lecture at AAO 2021.

Importance of mentors and fellows. Dr. Nerad used the arc of his career to discuss the importance of what he learned from having mentors (defined in his presentation as “experienced and trusted advisors”) and what he learned from being a mentor to his fellows. “All of my fellows have taught me something.”

Learning from family. One of Dr. Nerad’s mentors was his Uncle Jack, a family physician in New Mexico, with whom he worked over the summers. He said that Uncle Jack taught him three things: thank your patients, give them something (like a pamphlet or business card), and offer them a return appointment to let them know that you will continue to be their doctor. 

“Maya Angelou moments.” Dr. Nerad said that he was fortunate to have the benefit of older surgeons who treated him with great respect. He called situations such as these “Maya Angelou moments,” based on a quotation attributed to her: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Valued mentors and role models. Dr. Nerad mentioned several colleagues and mentors who were important to him over the years, including two who helped train him during his fellowship at the University of Iowa: Dr. Rick Anderson and Dr. David Tse. From the latter, he learned the needle-spin technique, which he has used ever since. Dr. Nerad described his fellowship as the best years of his education and noted that “once a fellow, always a fellow.” He also said it is important to acknowledge your role models and pointed out Dr. Jack Rootman as one of them.

Value of organizational ties. Dr. Nerad stressed the importance of joining societies like the Academy and the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, as they provide a “tremendous opportunity to learn and make contributions.” He also promoted volunteering with Orbis: “That is really one of the best things you can do.”

It all comes back to patient care. Dr. Nerad’s closing comments circled back to the lessons he learned from Uncle Jack about the importance of treating patients well, by giving them the facts, and ultimately letting them make the final decision about their care. “We try to take care of our patients like guests visiting our home,” he said. — Stephanie Leveene, ELS

Financial disclosures: Dr. Nerad: Elsevier: P.