Interview with Dr. Rich Lawton
Question 1: What was the hardest part about being a student-athlete in college?
Answer: The hardest part was time management, and since college was already competitive, it made it even harder to compete with those who don't have to play sports in college, and don't have to manage their time as well. At the same time though, I was a student-athlete in grade school, so at that point I had gotten used to balancing school and sports.
Question 2: Had you always known you wanted to be a surgeon?
Answer: No, I probably figured out that I wanted to be a surgeon in my third year of medical school. My dad was a family practitioner so I thought I might have liked to be one as well, but I really started to realize that surgery was it for me around my third year in med school.
Question 3: So you always knew you wanted to go to med school, but you just weren't sure what you wanted to do. What did you major in?
Answer: Psychology. A lot of people in the medical field usually major in biology, chemistry, biochemistry...some kind of science major, but you can major in anything you want and still get into med school.
Question 4: What would you say the hardest and/or best thing about being a surgeon is?
Answer: The hardest thing is the responsibility of being a surgeon. It can get really stressful, because it's a huge commitment. I mean if you really think about it, these people are trusting you with their lives, which is a huge responsibility. Sometimes I look back and can't get over the fact that these people are willing to trust me like that, so with that trust comes a really heavy load, and you're responsible for that patient. Some people like to stick their heads in the sand when it comes to complications or problems, but once you've taken this person in as your patient, you just can't do that. So its good to get away from the office, whether it be a trip to the backcountry, going skiing, whatever, it's just important to take those breaks and realize when you need to take them.
Question 5: And the best thing about being a surgeon?
Answer: I'd say the best thing is my ability to really contribute to peoples' lives, because, 1. it helps me have a sense of meaningful existence, which is important to me, and 2. I've always been good with mechanical problems. I like being able to go in, no where I'm at, and do it consistently. I think that there are certain personalities that are drawn to this job, and I am definitely one of them.
Question 6: If you could do it all over again, would you change anything?
Answer: Nothing at all. I wouldn't change a single thing. I love where I'm at and I love what I do. You know I could have worked with the Broncos? I did it for a year, and its glamorous and all that, but its just not what this is all about.
Question 7: Any advice for someone who is looking to pursue a career in the medical field?
Answer: Do it for the right reasons. There are some people who do it for money and prestige, but they're just not happy. In fact, they're downright miserable. Just make sure that this is something you really want to do, and that it truly makes you happy
Answer: The hardest part was time management, and since college was already competitive, it made it even harder to compete with those who don't have to play sports in college, and don't have to manage their time as well. At the same time though, I was a student-athlete in grade school, so at that point I had gotten used to balancing school and sports.
Question 2: Had you always known you wanted to be a surgeon?
Answer: No, I probably figured out that I wanted to be a surgeon in my third year of medical school. My dad was a family practitioner so I thought I might have liked to be one as well, but I really started to realize that surgery was it for me around my third year in med school.
Question 3: So you always knew you wanted to go to med school, but you just weren't sure what you wanted to do. What did you major in?
Answer: Psychology. A lot of people in the medical field usually major in biology, chemistry, biochemistry...some kind of science major, but you can major in anything you want and still get into med school.
Question 4: What would you say the hardest and/or best thing about being a surgeon is?
Answer: The hardest thing is the responsibility of being a surgeon. It can get really stressful, because it's a huge commitment. I mean if you really think about it, these people are trusting you with their lives, which is a huge responsibility. Sometimes I look back and can't get over the fact that these people are willing to trust me like that, so with that trust comes a really heavy load, and you're responsible for that patient. Some people like to stick their heads in the sand when it comes to complications or problems, but once you've taken this person in as your patient, you just can't do that. So its good to get away from the office, whether it be a trip to the backcountry, going skiing, whatever, it's just important to take those breaks and realize when you need to take them.
Question 5: And the best thing about being a surgeon?
Answer: I'd say the best thing is my ability to really contribute to peoples' lives, because, 1. it helps me have a sense of meaningful existence, which is important to me, and 2. I've always been good with mechanical problems. I like being able to go in, no where I'm at, and do it consistently. I think that there are certain personalities that are drawn to this job, and I am definitely one of them.
Question 6: If you could do it all over again, would you change anything?
Answer: Nothing at all. I wouldn't change a single thing. I love where I'm at and I love what I do. You know I could have worked with the Broncos? I did it for a year, and its glamorous and all that, but its just not what this is all about.
Question 7: Any advice for someone who is looking to pursue a career in the medical field?
Answer: Do it for the right reasons. There are some people who do it for money and prestige, but they're just not happy. In fact, they're downright miserable. Just make sure that this is something you really want to do, and that it truly makes you happy