Reflections From A Fourth-Year Resident On Training At A Level-One Trauma Center

When applying for residencies, I knew I wanted a program that would challenge me surgically and academically so I could reach my maximum career potential. Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia was my first choice program. Without question, it has pushed me beyond my limitations to become a great resident and future leader in this profession. It seems like just yesterday I started my career at Temple, but here I am in my fourth and final year. Working at a level-one trauma center in North Philadelphia has really defined me as a surgeon. I don’t think I could have experienced anywhere else what I learned at this institution. Residency has changed me for the better and I am grateful for everything I’ve experienced. In this blog, I’d like to share a few things I learned working at a level-one trauma center.

I’ve witnessed many challenges within the patient population at our facility, including  massive trauma, homelessness, lack of patient adherence to treatment plans, and unfortunately drug and alcohol abuse. Many times, we as residents must think outside the box to help our patients, which requires a lot of time and patience. I will never forget my first 24-hour shift on the trauma service at Temple. We had 12 trauma activations on top of managing a 60-patient list, all while dealing with unfortunate events such as death and family heartbreak. Just in that one shift, I had to compartmentalize my emotions; a mix of excitement, exhaustion, and heartbreak. What I learned from that rotation, along with my overall experience on our own service and off-service rotations, is that not everything is as it seems and truly understanding what patients go through takes much more than standard academic knowledge.

Residency humbled me, and without question, has taught me to ask for help when needed. This career is not all about individual achievement, but collaboration among our colleagues. I find if you ask anyone who has ever worked at Temple, despite the hardships, Temple is family and we look out for each other, something I have never really experienced anywhere else. We all have an understanding of the experiences we go through and that truly brings us all together, both within our podiatric profession, along with our MD/DO medicine and surgical counterparts.

To really summarize this, I wouldn’t be where I am today without the education and life experiences from my residency. Working at our level-one trauma center has taught me patience, understanding, ambition, teamwork, defeat, triumph, and humility. Maybe I could have learned all of this at another program, but I think training under a busy level-one trauma center in an urban setting really pushed my limits and potential as a podiatric surgeon. I look forward to next chapter of my life and training and I can happily look back and be thankful for all that I know!

Dr. Mateen is a fourth-year resident at the Temple University Hospital Podiatric Surgical Residency Program in Philadelphia. She will begin her fellowship in Foot and Ankle Deformity Correction and Orthoplastics at the Rubin Institute Advanced Orthopedic International Center for Limb Lengthening in 2022.