Like everyone else, I was glued to the 2024 Olympic Games coverage this summer, marveling at the athleticism on display and the absolute dedication to perfection. And I must admit that I was drawn to the newest Olympic success story, US men’s gymnastics team member Stephen Nedoroscik—but not for the reasons you might expect. Yes, the fact that he has strabismus and a coloboma piqued my interest, but what really got me thinking was his title as a pommel horse “specialist.”1 I might not know much about gymnastics, but I do know a thing or two about being a specialist.
Kudos to him for embracing his unique talent, understanding his value to the Olympic team, and redefining what it means to be a medal-winning gymnast—a specialist within an already specialized field. Sound familiar? Such a message should resonate with every retina specialist out there (maybe not the gymnastics part, but what do I know? We all have hidden talents).
Most think being a retina specialist is as specialized as you can get, and they would be wrong. Within our own subspeciality of ophthalmology, we have retina specialists who focus on medical retina, pediatrics, ocular oncology, uveitis, inherited retinal disease, imaging… the list of distinct skillsets put to good use caring for vulnerable patients goes on and on. I love that about our field; we support each other’s unique talents, and we don’t try to pigeon-hole everyone into one practice mode or clinical focus. We embrace the adaptability necessary to thrive in retina.
These days, that also means accepting—even encouraging—a clinician’s need to change jobs when the fit isn’t right, build their own practice, or acknowledge their hidden talent when the Olympic Selection Committee comes calling.
In this issue, we highlight a career path many worry will go extinct: opening a private practice. In her article, A Guide to Starting Your Own Practice, seasoned practice management consultant Debra Phairas, MBA, notes that retina care remains a specialty that thrives in private practices; all you need to do is master yet another specialty: business management. The 16 steps she outlines are an excellent start for business newbies. There’s also a bonus feature on managing a private equity merger, for those who have already built a practice and are ready to share some of the burden of running a business.
If you are happy in the niche you have carved out for yourself in retina, the other articles in this issue can help keep your practice running smoothly. Our coding expert, Joy Woodke, COE, OCS, OCSR, offers tips on proper coding for vitrectomies; our financial guru, David B. Mandell, JD, MBA, shares ways to shield your home from potential liability; and Elias C. Mavrofrides, MD, describes how he uses the 1-minute rule to prevent delays in his clinic.
No matter how you choose to practice retina, just remember what all that hard work and dedication are for—our patients. I’d like to think saving someone’s vision feels a lot like winning a gold medal. Any retina Olympians out there who know for sure?
1. Stephen Nedoroscik becomes breakout star of 2024 Paris Olympics: What to know about the pommel horse pro. ABCNews. July 31, 2024. Access August 2, 2024. abcnews.go.com/GMA/Living/stephen-nedoroscik-pommel-horse-olympics/story?id=112434950
