Why did you want to become an Orthopedic Surgeon?
I initially became interested in orthopedics through my involvement in playing various sports and athletic activities, and by sustaining and recovering from some of my own orthopedic injuries. I always wanted to pursue a career where I could help people and serve my local community, and I have always been fascinated with the human body and the musculoskeletal system. The entire mechanical design of our bodies is logical and practical, a system of levers and pulleys that can produce movements varying from finely detailed to explosive and powerful. As an orthopedic surgeon, I am able to help patients restore their function, reduce their pain, and improve their quality of life using my knowledge, but also manually with surgical and nonsurgical treatments. The most rewarding part of my job is seeing the difference from my patient’s first visit when they are suffering to their final visit when they have recovered and are able to return to the activities and life that they enjoy.
How do you become an Orthopedic Surgeon?
Becoming an orthopedic surgeon is a long and challenging process. After graduating from an undergraduate college/university, you must then complete medical school and be accepted into an orthopedic surgery residency program. During the 4 years of medical school, orthopedic surgeon applicants are typically at the top of their class in regards to grades, board scores, and letters of recommendation. If you are accepted into an orthopedic surgery residency, you must complete 5 years as a surgeon in training where you increase your knowledge base and technical skills by working extensive hours hands on. The residency work hours have been limited to a maximum average of 80 hours per week in the hospital, with additional studying and research performed during one’s own free time. After 5 years of residency, most surgeons choose to specialize and complete an additional 1 year of fellowship training.
I chose to specialize in Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy and attended a fellowship at the Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Center. A good way to think about it is to imagine the process, time, and amount of material learned from your first day of kindergarten to your last day of high school. Orthopedic surgeons complete that entire process again, with a focus on one specific field. Throughout our career as surgeons, we continue that same regimen of learning and focus to always provide the best care and treatment techniques for our patients and remain up to date. At the end of the day, I find my career to be very rewarding. I’m able to fix/repair a person’s ailments and improve their quality of life utilizing a very specialized and focused skill set that I have obtained through years of rigorous training and dedication.
Dr. Kevin Myers
Orthopedic Surgeon
Sports Medicine and General Orthopedics
Carrollton Location
972.492.1334