Career PowerPoint

1. Trauma Surgeon
Taylor Lott
Health 4190 001
Kathleen Meyer
January 28, 2015
“Wherever the art of medicine is loved,
there is also a love of humanity. ”
-Hippocrates

2. The journey to becoming a trauma
surgeon is extremely trying and is a very
lengthy process. However, while these
characteristics can seem negative, I believe
the benefits greatly outweigh the costs.
Throughout this presentation, the process
to becoming a trauma surgeon will be
discussed. As well, the responsibility of a
trauma surgeon will be displayed so as to
have a better understanding of what it
takes to achieve this career

3. The History of Trauma
Surgery
Trauma surgery is a surgical specialty that utilizes both operative and non-operative
management to treat traumatic injuries, typically in an acute setting and normally focuses
on the abdominal area along with any given 'Emergency' field they may be required to serve
upon.
• The history for trauma surgery in the United States was based highly on the practices
and procedures done during combat and wartimes. During the Revolutionary War, soft
tissue injuries, mostly amputations, and fractures were treated based on the guide
written by John Jones in 1775.
• As the Civil War erupted across the states, the trauma care delivery systems was being
developed due to the large amounts of injured people. Also, anesthesia was developed,
mostly using chloroform or ether. Another huge contribution came from the Sanitary
Commission, lead in part by Clara Barton, in which the hygiene aspects of surgery and
treating wounds was clarified and its importance stressed. The idea of “save life, not
limb” also came about during the chaos resulting from the war. Florence Nightingale’s
methods during a different war helped to establish nursing care during this time as
well.
• As the first and second World Wars came and went, other trauma practices were either
improved or implemented. The utilization of blood from newly established blood banks
to treat injuries, motorized ambulances decreasing transport time, development of
plastic surgery, and the discovery of penicillin all occurring during these eras. Later
wars brought the use of medical transport by air, decreased numbers of amputations,
and the final understanding of how to treat shock.
• Civilian trauma centers were founded in 1966 due to increased violence from a surge in
drug use during this time. A formal outline of injury care was developed as well to aid
in an all-encompassing system.

4. History in
Pictures

5. The Education
• Those looking to become trauma surgeons must obtain a bachelor’s degree in a field
that contains coursework focusing on sciences, such as pre-medicine, biology, or
another discipline that is related to these. This type of degree can help to prepare
students for the rigorous coursework of medical school.
• After receiving a bachelor’s degree, fours year of medical school must be completed.
These programs focus on both a classroom setting, where students learn by way of
lectures, and a lab work setting. Two additional years of what is called a clerkship is
required for the potential trauma surgeon to acquire the hands-on experience to be
better acquainted with the healthcare system and patients. The United States Medical
Licensing Examination must be passed to allow the potential surgeon to get to this
point in the education requirements.
• A three to five year residency program in general surgery must be completed to allow for
the potential surgeon to gain the experience, knowledge, and skills to be able to handle
the various injuries and individuals they will come across in their career as a surgeon.
Rotations involving cardiac and trauma surgery, as well as patient care and nutrition
training, are additional areas of study for the potential trauma surgeon.
• Once the residency program is finished, many certifications must be obtained. Both the
General Surgery Qualifying Examination and the General Surgery Certifying
Examination must be passed to be qualified to take the Surgical Critical Care
Certification Examination to become a board certified trauma surgeon.
• Following the certifications, a one to two year fellowship program, focusing on critical
care and trauma, needs to be undergone. More experience and supplemental skills are
learned to better handle trauma to specific organs such as the lungs and kidneys. Also,
how to manage high risk procedures and transplants will help the surgeon in advancing
their knowledge to able to manage and assess patients in critical conditions. During
this time, research and educating residents is also done.

6. Medical School Comparisons
• Harvard Medical School (Ranked number 1)
– Average GPA: 3.88
– Average MCAT: 36.3
• Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (Ranked number 3)
– Average GPA: 3.87
– Average MCAT: 35.4
• Medical University of South Carolina (Ranked number
59)
– Average GPA: 3.66
– Average MCAT: 29.7

7. Requirements for the Medical University of South Carolina
• MCAT should be taken no later than spring or fall of the year
preceding admission.
– Students are advised to take two semesters of:
• Introductory biology
• Introductory physics
• General chemistry
• Organic chemistry
• At least ninety semester hours required. Those who have completed
four years of college and have earned a baccalaureate degree are
preferred.
• No prerequisites required, but previous successful applicants have
completed two semesters of:
– General biology
– General chemistry
– Organic chemistry
– Physics
• Other courses of value are:
– Anatomy
– Biochemistry
– Cell biology
– Embryology
– Physiology
– Genetics

8. Job description for trauma
surgeon
• A career in trauma surgery is one of the most intense,
considering the enormous amounts of stress being placed on
the surgeon. Trauma surgery involves operations on life-
threatening injuries in a critical time frame. Trauma
surgeons must be able to demonstrate competence for
working on various injuries, organs, and individuals.
Common organs operated on by trauma surgeons include:
– Stomach
– Pancreas
– Colon
– Spleen
• Trauma surgeons have varying schedules. They must work
until their patients are stabilized. Most trauma surgeons
work more than fifty hours a week. Also, there are situations
when they are on call and may need to work weekends,
nights, or holidays.

9. $alary and Growth Potential
• According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics,
an increase in demand for surgeons and
physicians is likely to be seen by 24% between
2010 and 2020.
• As of May 2012, the average salary for surgeons is
$230,540.
– Average salary for trauma surgeon:
• Charleston, SC: $339,743
• Columbia, SC: $335, 340
• Greenville, SC: $346,438

10. Qualities of a Surgeon
Multitasking
Superior academic skills
Problem-solvers
Dexterous
Have stamina
Strong
Good sight
Efficient communicators
Calm
Level-headed
Leaders
Quick learners
Determined
Humble
Compassionate
Dependable
Responsible
Detailed

11. Surgeon O*Net Profile
1. Investigative-frequently involve
working with ideas, and require an
extensive amount of thinking.
These occupations can involve
searching for facts and figuring out
problems mentally
2. Realistic-frequently involve work
activities that include practical,
hands-on problems and solutions.
They often deal with plants,
animals, and real-world materials
like wood, tools, and machinery.
Many of the occupations require
working outside, and do not
involve a lot of paperwork or
working closely with others.
3. Social-frequently involve working
with, communicating with, and
teaching people. These
occupations often involve helping
or providing service to others.
My O*Net Profile
1. Social
2. Investigative
3. Artistic-frequently involve
working with forms, designs and
patterns. They often require self-
expression and the work can be
done without following a clear set
of rules.
4. Realistic
As you can see, my O*Net
profile is very similar to
that of a surgeon. Added is
my ranking for artistic,
which I believe is still
applicable because surgery
is a form of art.

12. Why I’m A Good Candidate
I think that I am a good candidate for a trauma surgeon due to the similarities
in the O*Net profiles. I also have many qualities that are shared by surgeons. I
am compassionate, empathetic, a hard worker, calm during chaos,
responsible, dependable, a problem-solver. I also have taken many of the
courses that are not only required, but others I feel will benefit me in my future
endeavors to becoming a trauma surgeon. According to my O*Net profile, I
have a high ranking for the social category, which entails helping others and
working with people, an particularly pertinent skill when working in emergency
medicine. Also, trauma surgeons are tasked with figuring out how to stabilize
badly injured patients in a quick and efficient manner. This investigative
quality is shared by the profiles of a surgeon and myself. The added advantage
of having roots in the artistic category also allows me to be able to think out-
of-the-box, allowing another perspective for challenging problems and
situations. Also, I like to paint and crochet, tasks that involve working with
my hands. These aspects may not seem highly related to surgery, but these
skills actually overlap. Surgeons are tremendously skilled at using their hands
to cut and stitch during operations. The skills learned from painting and
crocheting show broad patterns similar to surgery. As well, I am a
perfectionist and pay extremely close to the details, as does a surgeon. I am a
good student who does well in my studies, another quality of a surgeon having
apt academic abilities. I strive to work even harder to acquire more knowledge
and experience to aid me in my journey to my career as a trauma surgeon.

13. Academics Relevant to Becoming a
Trauma Surgeon
Anatomy and Physiology
Biology
Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Genetics
Biochemistry
Microbiology
Medical Terminology
CPR/First Aid
Health Appraisal Skills
Psychology
Health Delivery Systems
Communications/Public Speaking
Introduction to Public Health
Determinants of Health Behavior
Epidemiology
Human Health and Disease
Physics
Cell biology
Embryology
Emergency Medical Responder
Nutrition
Research Evaluations
Sociology
*Courses highlighted in
white are the courses I have
either completed or are
currently enrolled in as an
undergraduate.

14. As you can see, pursuing a career in trauma surgery is one that
takes a great amount of time, effort, and hard work. Regardless of
these things, I think that it will bring a unimaginable amount of
purpose and happiness to my life. I have been striving for this
goal for some time and people tend to focus more on the costs
rather than benefits. For me, I have always had a heart for
helping people and while I will lose many patients as a trauma
surgeon, I will receive a great deal of joy from all the people I will
save. One quote that always sticks with me is from Fred Rogers,
“Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are
helping.” For me, that is my purpose and passion and I feel like
that is my draw towards becoming a trauma surgeon; you are
going to help people. This discipline involves a large amount of
education and certifications, hours of work, and stress on the
mind and body. I have taken all of this information in to careful
consideration for a while now, and I just cannot see myself doing
anything other than this.

15. References
• Farnen, K. Personal characteristics of a surgeon. eHow. Retrieved from
http://www.ehow.com/info_7833985_personal-characteristics-surgeon.html
• 2013, January 1. How to become a trauma surgeon. Education Career Articles. Retrieved from
http://educationcareerarticles.com/education-articles/majors-overview/how-to-become-a-trauma-
surgeon/
• Medical Schools in the USA (2015). Retrieved from http://www.medicalschoolsinusa.com/medical-
school-rankings/
• Medical University of South Carolina (2012). Entrance requirements. Retrieved from
http://academicdepartments.musc.edu/com/admissions/applying_college/
• Sheridan, R. L., Cameron, A. M. (2004). A brief history of trauma surgery. The Trauma Handbook of
the Massachusetts General Hospital. 3-10. Retrieved from
https://books.google.com/books?id=qb0eujBTVxoC&pg=PA3&lpg=PA3&dq=brief+history+of+trauma+s
urgeon&source=bl&ots=XPjqyy_jBC&sig=sMuTz4KlAKgJkCuxqfniB5sflN4&hl=en&sa=X&ei=8g_EVNL4
OeTgsATSlIHYAg&ved=0CDsQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=brief%20history%20of%20trauma%20surgeon&f
=false
• 2011. Surgeons report. O*Net Online. Retrieved from
http://www.mynextmove.org/profile/ext/online/29-1067.00
• 2015. Surgeon-Trauma salaries in SC. Salary.com. Retrieved from
http://www1.salary.com/SC/Greenville/Surgeon-Trauma-salary.html
• 2015. Trauma surgeon: job description and career requirements. Education Portal. Retrieved from
http://education-
portal.com/articles/Trauma_Surgeon_Job_Description_and_Requirements_for_Starting_a_Career_in_Tr
auma_Surgery.html
• Z., Tanja (2015). Trama surgeon salary. HCWS. Retrieved from
http://www.healthcaresalaryworld.com/trauma-surgeon-salary/