--- title: Senior surgeon, seasoned locum tenens, on the importance of role models description: "My essay,” On the importance of role models: The views of a senior surgeon,” appeared in the February 2010 edition of the Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons." --- [![VISTA-logo-primary-tagline](https://blog.vistastaff.com/hs-fs/hubfs/VISTA-logo-primary-tagline.png?width=150&height=51&name=VISTA-logo-primary-tagline.png "VISTA-logo-primary-tagline")](https://www.vistastaff.com) # [VISTA Archived Blogs](https://blog.vistastaff.com) ## Senior surgeon, seasoned locum tenens, on the importance of role models ![](https://blog.vistastaff.com/hubfs/vistastaff-oct2015/favicon002.png)Posted by [VISTA Staffing](https://blog.vistastaff.com/archive/author/vista-staffing) on Oct 9, 2013 3:25:00 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) It got me thinking (and writing), “…whether we realize it or not, our performances are closely observed and internally graded by the next generation of ‘could-be’ surgeons….and even if the patient does well, we may not have succeeded in the important area of providing those around us with a model of who a surgeon can be.” I was fortunate to have several important role models/mentors in my life, from the pediatrician who set my course toward medicine when I was 10 years old, to the chief of surgery who took the time to attend the induction of my medical school class, to the pediatrician and public health specialist who introduced me to the service aspects of our profession, and finally, to a master surgeon of the old school who could do absolutely everything, from “orthopaedics to urology to gynecology to neurosurgery to anesthesia,” and had decided to dedicate his entire professional career to service of people in rural and isolated settings. As I wrote in the essay, none of these physicians set out to be role models for me. They were just being themselves, and in the process, being the kind of physicians we should all strive to be. Because it should be obvious to my colleagues and fellow “senior surgeons,” if we don’t inspire the next generation of “could-be” surgeons, who will be there to take care of us when we need care? Note: You can read Dr. Shulman’s entire essay on the American College of Surgeon’s website, [http://www.facs.org/fellows_info/bulletin/2010/shulman0210.pdf](http://www.facs.org/fellows_info/bulletin/2010/shulman0210.pdf).   [![Subscribe to our Blog](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1554807/faf9f216-2df9-4552-9b7f-2d6f300a84f6.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1554807/faf9f216-2df9-4552-9b7f-2d6f300a84f6) Topics: [Stories From VISTA Physicians](https://blog.vistastaff.com/archive/topic/stories-from-vista-physicians)   **Want to read more? Click [here](https://blog.vistastaff.com/archive) for even more industry updates.** **Welcome to our Blog!** **About VISTA Staffing Solutions** VISTA Staffing Solutions has over thirty years of experience providing award-winning customer service to clients and providers alike. Headquartered in Salt Lake City with additional offices in Atlanta and Houston, and employs approximately 1,000 people between corporate staff and field clinicians and contracts with over 2,500 physicians across 60+ specialties and subspecialties. VISTA helps U.S. hospitals, medical practices, and government agencies optimize their physician staffing, ensure quality and continuity of care for patients, and maintain financial stability. As a leading provider of U.S. Locum Tenens and Permanent Physician Search Services, VISTA also operates VISTA Select, a first-of-its-kind technology and services solution utilizing advanced data and analytics to provide healthcare organizations with customizable workforce optimization solutions.  ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Posts by Topic - [Physicians (95)](https://blog.vistastaff.com/archive/tag/physicians) - [VISTA (63)](https://blog.vistastaff.com/archive/tag/vista) - [Stories From VISTA Physicians (58)](https://blog.vistastaff.com/archive/tag/stories-from-vista-physicians) - [Advanced Practice Providers (49)](https://blog.vistastaff.com/archive/tag/advanced-practice-providers) - [Industry Updates (40)](https://blog.vistastaff.com/archive/tag/industry-updates) - [Licensing & Credentialing (27)](https://blog.vistastaff.com/archive/tag/licensing-credentialing) - [Locum Tenens Work (24)](https://blog.vistastaff.com/archive/tag/locum-tenens-work) - [Locum Tenens Clinician (18)](https://blog.vistastaff.com/archive/tag/locum-tenens-clinician) - [Facilities & Practices (9)](https://blog.vistastaff.com/archive/tag/facilities-practices) - [Locum Tenens Government (7)](https://blog.vistastaff.com/archive/tag/locum-tenens-government) - [Interview/Hiring Tips (6)](https://blog.vistastaff.com/archive/tag/interview-hiring-tips) - [HR (4)](https://blog.vistastaff.com/archive/tag/hr) - [Recruiting (4)](https://blog.vistastaff.com/archive/tag/recruiting) - [Staffing Technology (2)](https://blog.vistastaff.com/archive/tag/staffing-technology) - [Government (1)](https://blog.vistastaff.com/archive/tag/government) - [Labor Strategy (1)](https://blog.vistastaff.com/archive/tag/labor-strategy) - [Medical School Debt (1)](https://blog.vistastaff.com/archive/tag/medical-school-debt) - [workforce optimization (1)](https://blog.vistastaff.com/archive/tag/workforce-optimization) [see all](https://blog.vistastaff.com/archive/senior-surgeon-seasoned-locum-tenens-on-the-importance-of-role-models#) ### Corporate Background At **VISTA Staffing Solutions**, we want to make it possible for you to work on your terms, allowing you to provide your expertise to those who need it most. We have opportunities for physicians in all specialties, from domestic locum tenens jobs to government and permanent positions, with openings covering all 50 states. 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