Is this the end? (certainly not!)

Friday has arrived way too early!
I have this feeling of unfinished things. There are so much more I would like to see, to understand, to join..
I can't put in words how much I've learned in the last two weeks. Dr. Coughlin and I were talking this morning and I told him how this experience has changed my mind in some crucial points.
I have met so many wonderful people. I'm now aware that there are peers from all over the world struggling (and sometimes literally fighting) to heal people! I have made so many friends.
It was given to me the opportunity of learning from the best! I'm now able to improve things in my institution and try to make things better for residents and patients.
And the most important.. I was taught some new strategies of spreading and multiplying knowledge (oh, I have so much to do in Brazil!)
Yes, this is the last day of my Observership, however it is also the first day of a new life of hard and improving work.
Cheers!

Jet lag..

My Thursday began (at 6:30 am) with the Trauma Conference at the OTI. The residents and fellows are supposed to attend it and I was kindly invited to gather them (the 6 hours jet lag is driving me crazy!).
The conferences sponsored by OTI are such great opportunities of learning.. Questions are welcome and Dr. Coughlin is always open to discuss different options of treatment (I'm really convinced that the best way of teaching/learning is through mentorship).
After the conference the residents and I are going to the OR for a whole day of arthroscopies (wow!!).
See ya!

UCSF Grand Rounds

This morning we were at the UCSF Parnassus Campus for the Grand Rounds (dear Lord 6:30 am!!)
Chiefs, assistants, residents, fellows, interns and under graduation students gathered to discuss the most common and interesting Orthopaedic and Trauma cases.
It was a great opportunity to learn how the Ortho residency works around here (I had so many ideas that will certainly help us in Brazil). The conference theme was "Arthroplasty and Obesity: is there a real thread?"
Now we are heading the Pediatric Trauma conference.. (kids? really?? this early in the morning??? OK.. let's go for it! ha ha..)
See ya!

Back to SanFran

The SIGN course is over and I'm back to San Francisco.
My Observership has started and I couldn't be happier. Amber Caldwell and Kush Pathel have been awesome!
I spend most of my time at the San Francisco General Hospital (just love it!) in the OR. So many interesting cases and procedures, always being mentored by Dr. Coughlin (what a privilege).
Today I'll spend my day at the UCSF Parnassus Campus with Dr. Tad Vail (arthroplasty).
I want to thank the AAOS, the true responsible for all the wonderful experiences I've been living.

SIGN - Fracture Care International

The course has been a huge success!
Dr. Zirkle is such an innovative person and really opened my mind for the needs of developing countries. There are so much we can do for them as orthopaedic surgeons!
I also was introduced to a new (and so simple) orthopaedic hardware.. the SIGN intramedullary nail (there is no need of a C-arm! can you believe that? )
Pictures later..
See ya!

In Richland

We are in Richland (WA) for the SIGN conference..
Representatives of so many countries are gathered here to discuss the best and ultimate options of trauma treatment.
We can't wait for the hands on sessions!
I can't finish this post without saying that our hearts are still in pain for those who lost their loved ones on 09/11.

Last day =[

So, we've reached the end of the course and I must tell you... I'm really glad I could spend these days here!!
Yes.. I'm tired andI may have gained some weight ha ha ha... but I'm pretty sure that I'll be able to help patients more efficiently than before! And more.. I have some new strategies for sharing the acquired knowledge with my peers and residents down in Brazil.
I couldn't leave SF without thanking Ms Caldwell and Dr. Coughlin for making me feeling at home! I'm so grateful.. May the Lord reward you both for such hospitality.
Richland, here I come!

50% gone...

Well, this is Monday afternoon and 50% of the Flap Course has gone..
I can surely say that this has been the most important experience I've lived since my Orthopaedy training!
Amber Caldwell (course director) has been amazing and most of the course's success is due to her unfatigle work!
Now: gastroc flaps... back to the lab!

Hands On

Well, what to say?
If you have any doubts or concerns about soft tissue flaps.. IGOT is your place!
Faculty has been superb!! They are so enthusiastic and always free to guide and teach you how to perform a muscle flap or an ex fix in the "Hands On" lab.
This is the very first day and Im already impressed!
See you!

Day 1

We are gathered at the IGOT for the first day of the course.
So excited! I waited almost an year for this day.. The Flap Course!
I'll keep you updated..
See ya!