Olivia Thomas, MD
Orthopaedic Hand Surgery Fellow
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM
Member Since: 2021
How has the AAOS helped you throughout your career?
The AAOS has provided a great launching board throughout training with comprehensive educational materials such as ResStudy, ROCK, and JAAOS. These resources are always one of my first stops when trying to better understand a topic.
As a Fellowship Member, which AAOS resources do you use most and why?
As I transition into fellowship, I am using JAAOS articles and Clinical Practice Guidelines to build my professional compendium and prepare for independent practice. I’m also excited to start using the Hand and Upper Extremity Technique Journal more frequently as my surgical exposure increases.
What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
My dad is an agricultural pilot and always told me that the best pilots were those who refueled the planes when they were young; they had the best understanding of the industry from the bottom floor. This philosophy has guided my choices throughout medical training in an effort to become a well-rounded and thoughtful member of the team at each level.
What’s your go-to productivity trick?
The age-old residency advice: Making a list with checkboxes. It really cannot be beat.
What’s one thing you’re currently trying to make a habit?
I’m trying to incorporate more casual orthopedic reading throughout the day by keeping textbooks and journal papers readily available to gradually augment my study time and clinical experience.
What hobbies do you enjoy in your spare time?
I recently started swimming for exercise and have really enjoyed it. I also enjoy Zillow browsing and trying new recipes with my husband on the weekend.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know?
I have unilateral brachydactyly type D of my left thumb, a very hand-esque description for one thumb being shorter than the other.