Class of 1970 Commemorative Biographical Book

T H O M A S R . S H E P L E R

Continued

and be thorough and document that thoroughness in your workup of the patient’s problem Look back in a long term way at your results (in my case surgical results) so that you learn what works and what does not work Remember why you went into medicine and that is to serve mankind and forget the finances as a driving force Don’t forget empathy Remember your bedside manner counts Consider the whole patient when dealing with your part of that person’s medical care/problem Try to “pay it forward” by teaching to others what you have been fortunate to learn!

What was your most memorable moment from medical school? Being accepted to Johns Hopkins Medical School What highlights have you experienced since graduating in 1970? Teaching younger students orthopaedic and hand surgery for 42 years, Being considered the outstanding clinical surgeon for the entire United States Air Force Chosen to be Consultant to the USAF Surgeon General in Orthopaedic and Hand Surgery Sharing with another physician the role of: Chief Orthopaedic Surgeon for the entire USAF Retiring after 23 years in the United States Air Force as a full Colonel Subsequently being in private practice for an additional 22 years and determining the full amount of time that I needed to work up a patient to my satisfaction and in the tradition of thoroughness taught to me at Johns Hopkins instead of being constrained by a person in a superior administrative position to me Being able to run and administer the Hand Surgery Emergency Call Roster/program for 22 years at the Virginia Hospital Center Being able to represent or be an example of what medical students could become in our military medical mchool: USUHS. How have you changed since medical school? I think I have been impressed with how much capacity the body has to heal without surgical interventions. I also have been humbled to realize my surgical intervention and that typical of many in surgery, become more conservative with time about how intricate and complex the human body is and what a miracle life in any form is on this wonderful planet. If so inclined, please feel free to share your passions, family stories, life experiences or even simple words of wisdom. In the words of Sir William Osler: “Listen to the patient they tell you what that have got.” Be humble but proud of what Johns Hopkins represents

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