Dr. Kotler Mentors Future Plastic Surgeons in Los Angeles
Below are two reproduced letters recently received by Dr. Kotler. Both of these young men are college graduates who are pursuing additional studies in preparation for medical school. Both young men have been outstanding students and have a very clear citing of what their professional career should be. Both are interested in plastic surgery which, of course, includes reconstructive plastic surgery and cosmetic plastic surgery. Their decision to further specialize, of course, will have to wait completion of this very long road that they have ahead of them.
I enjoy mentoring medical students, residents in training, and these young men whom I call "pre-doctors." I think our profession is obliged to introduce itself and its various specialties to young people so that they can have a clear sense of which direction they would like to travel as they pursue their medical studies.
These young students "shadow" me both in the operating room and in the office and get a very clear picture of what a purely cosmetic plastic surgery practice is. They understand that there is a lot more to the world of plastic surgery and, of course, a lot more to the world of Medicine than what they see here.
What I hope to instill in them is that medicine is still an art based on a science, that the happiest practices are practices where the patients are satisfied with the doctor's craftsmanship and the doctor is gratified by the results of his labor.
Letter #1:
Dr. Kotler,
It was great to see you on July 2nd. Thank you for allowing me to observe your surgical cases. You are an outstanding mentor and surgeon. I look forward to observing you in the future.
Sincerely,
Brent Ardaugh
Letter #2:
Dear Dr. Kotler,
I want to express my gratitude and thanks for you allowing me to observe you at your office for the past couple weeks. I can honestly say that this was an experience unlike any other.
You have definitely validated and motivated me to not only further my interests in reconstructive surgery but when I arrive at a specialty and begin practicing to be as deeply caring and thoughtful as you are with everyone around you.
From what little I have seen, you embody not just what a doctor should stand for but are also a perfect example for future doctors and personally what first comes to mind when I hear the word specialist. There are many things that I have learned from you on my visits that have opened my eyes.
If there are just two ideas that have stood out amongst the many great things that I have taken away it would firstly be the diligence and foresight necessary with patients in surgery and consultation.
Secondly, the importance of choosing a specialty in surgery/general practice, how this involves deep cognition about the associated pros/cons with the level of responsibility and how this all corresponds to the dynamics of a desired lifestyle.
Thank you again for your generosity, for being so welcoming and being more then willing to teach.
Sincerely,
Christopher Schroeder
