Eyeworld Daily News

8 | EYEWORLD DAILY NEWS | APRIL 7, 2024 ASCRS ANNUAL MEETING DAILY NEWS A YES lunch symposium of- fered mentorship on a range of topics, from fellowship to finding your first job to international work. Finding the right fit A panel discussed the options for practicing in academics or private setting. The session's moderator, Kourtney Houser, MD, asked the panelists to share how they choose their current path and what they like about it. Dagny Zhu, MD, is a cornea, cataract, refractive surgeon in private practice. She said she had a very academic background, but when she got out of training, her priority was to be in southern California. She interviewed widely but found an opportunity to buy a practice for sale in her hometown. "I hadn't planned that, but sometimes things just hap- pen," she said. Mina Farahani, MD, also said she prioritized geography when she en- tered practice. She said that 85–90% of us change jobs in the first few years, including herself. Her first job was at a large subspecialty private practice, and she learned from that experience she wanted a smaller practice environment. "My tip would be to get exposure to different set- tings when you're in residency," she said, adding later that it may take a couple of tries to find a good fit once out in practice. Douglas Rhee, MD, shared the academic practice perspective, saying that it never gets boring in academ- ics. The most important thing, he said, is that we're in the best profes- sion in the world: ophthalmology. From there, it's about figuring out what you want within this profes- sion. Practice efficiency and culture John Berdahl, MD, said "my grandma said to be nice to nurses, and I think that helps a lot with culture." When it comes to efficacy, he said, "you have to pull, and you have to set an expectation." He said don't expect to come into practice and ramp up in efficiency, rather pull that efficiency through from the start. Neda Nikpoor, MD, encouraged introspection. "You have to know yourself to lead yourself; you have to be able to lead yourself to lead others," she said. "Find out what inspires you and lean into that part of your personality." Morgan Micheletti, MD, said you'll become a more efficient communicator over time, learning to integrate new tools to facilitate that communication efficiency. He also recommended maintaining an open mind. International work Cathleen McCabe, MD, said even if you think you might have a passion for international work, jump in. If I told you you're going to work long hours, sleep in a hard bed, eat food you don't know if you should eat, be exhausted at the end of the day, and it's addictive, would you believe it's addictive? It is. Dr. McCabe said it's important to find someone who is doing this work already and doing it well. Don't try to invent this wheel on your own. Aakriti Garg Shukla, MD, said she was able to get involved with international work without having to travel. She said she helped Aravind Eye Hospital beginning in 2020 when travel was restricted. They were interested in publishing but didn't always have resources to do so. Dr. Shukla said she was able to help them design projects and then do the analysis and writing. "It helped them amplify all the wonderful work they're doing," she said. The panel also talked about the work of the ASCRS Foundation both domestic and abroad, and the Young Eye Surgeons International Service Grant. 'Toolkit for Job Success' symposium The YES Day began Saturday with the Breakfast Kickoff Ses- sion, which included a mix and mingle for members, who also heard from ASCRS leadership. YES Clinical Committee Chair Zaina Al-Mohtaseb, MD, and ASCRS Executive Director Steve Speares welcomed the attendees. Parag Parekh, MD, Chair of the Government Relations Commit- tee, spoke about advocacy; Vance Thompson, MD, discussed his ASCRS experience and the edu- cation at the meeting; Mitchell Weikert, MD, spoke about Skills Transfer Labs; David F. Chang, MD, shared information about EyeSustain; Aakriti Garg Shukla, MD, gave her tips for navigat- ing the meeting; and Abigail Markward, ASCRS Foundation Executive Director, and Susan MacDonald, MD, Chair of the ASCRS Foundation, talked about philanthropic opportunities. YES Breakfast Kickoff Session

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