Welcome back to our intern spotlight series where this edition we’ll dish on our latest Southern Plastic Surgery (SPS) guest resident, Laney. A native of Lawrenceville, Laney is in the home stretch of her formal training at the Mercer University College of Health Professionals where she’s focusing on becoming a Physician Assistant. Having come to us with an interest in one day joining an esteemed dermatology or plastic surgery practice (we selfishly vote for the latter choice), Laney has really found her knack working with our patients and has seemed to genuinely love every minute of her time learning through hands-on practice and combining the hard work she’s put in so far. Before Laney left, we had her share some of her fondest memories with us and open up on where she hopes to go once she’s officially a graduate, here’s what she had to say:
What made you choose a career in medicine? It’s like a puzzle. Every day presents new problems to be solved. Each patient is different, and the field is always changing and advancing. It’s challenging, exciting, and rewarding!
What’s your favorite memory? When Dr. David Whiteman sent me to the penalty box. He asked me a question in the operating room (OR) that I couldn’t answer, so I was sent out to the nurse’s station (the penalty box) to look up the answer. Then I returned to the OR to teach everyone about the information I had found.
What’s been the biggest challenge? Probably being open to criticism. I think most people in the medical profession are very driven, type-A people. We are motivated to be the best at what we do. Sometimes I have to swallow my pride and remember that I am going to be wrong, and it’s ok!
What skills have you learned that you think will be most valuable in your medical field? I think knowing how to relate to each of my patients and make a surgical plan to meet their needs will be important regardless of which specialty I choose to pursue.
What’s the best thing about interning with Dr. Whiteman? He is such a good mix of personality traits. He is really laid back, but completely invested in helping me become a better provider at the same time. He is demanding but also very forgiving.
Do you have a personal motto? Improving requires you to go outside your comfort zone. If you’re not being challenged, you’re probably not growing.
If you didn’t practice medicine, what would you do professionally instead? Ice cream taste tester.
Hobbies: Reading, hiking, soccer, sewing, and refinishing furniture.
Fun Fact: I attended college at both Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia. I met my husband at Georgia Tech, but we cheer for the Dawgs during football season!
Favorite weekend activity in Atlanta: Taking my beagle to the park or hiking.
The office is never quite the same whenever we have to say goodbye to any of our extended SPS team members, but we are enthusiastic that Laney will do great no matter where she ends up. Having skill and expertise is always important but it goes beyond that. The relationships that you are able to nurture with your patients set certain medical providers apart – it’s our belief that the passion you embody and exhibit towards your patients are the type of additional qualities that make overall great providers and Laney will undoubtedly fit the profile when she starts to make a name for herself within the medical community. Stay tuned in the upcoming weeks for more installations in our intern and patient spotlight series, and if you’d like to share your own personal plastic surgery story with other readers, don’t hesitate to contact Southern Plastic Surgery so we can help get you started!