Success is a Journey

20 Jul 2017

By Jaime D. Lewis, MD

Advancement up the academic ladder from grade school through college and medical school was measured by meeting well-defined milestones along a smooth and narrow pathway. Residency and fellowship introduced some variability but were accompanied by a similarly transparent structure of progression. The end of formal training felt as if I had embarked on a journey along a rocky, winding trail through dark fog aided variably by an old compass that occasionally pointed northward, or at least somewhere in the general vicinity. When I became faculty, this experience and the loss of an unambiguous measuring stick was quite disorienting leading me to feel as if I had I lost my ability to gauge my progress and my achievement of success or descent towards failure.

Through time, work, self-reflection, and connection, I am once again on a trail that I know is moving onward and upward. And as part of my plan for progress and career development, I have had the fantastic opportunity to spend the last four days as a participant in the AAMC Early Career Women Faculty Leadership Seminar. This seminar has provided me with the time, space, and tools to really consider what I want to achieve in surgery and academic medicine. I have started to let go of what is not success for me and stopped comparing myself to colleagues and mentor. Determination of success is ultimately a very personal measure.

I do know that my success requires that I understand and acknowledge what motivates and inspires me and what is core to my being. Central to my success is a commitment to my husband and children that they will always be my first priorities, a choice which is not negotiable. There is nothing in this world of greater importance and I will always be there when they need me.

I better understand those components of my work that motivate me to continue my career in academic medicine. I am motivated to cultivate and expand my mentorship network and will continue to pursue strategic relationships with those who can provide guidance along the way. And I am committed to support and educate those who will succeed me as my biggest accomplishments always evolve from meaningful relationships.

Finally, success requires that I have a strong sense of self and that I am true to that self. I will endorse my talents and opportunities and pursue those activities that fuel my passions. And I will continue to take the time I need for reflection, recovery, and growth on a regular basis.

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.
-Mae West


Jaime D. Lewis MD is an Assistant Professor of Surgery and Assistant Medical Student Clerkship Director at the University of Cincinnati where she also completed her general surgery residency. After residency, she completed a fellowship in breast surgical oncology at the Moffitt Cancer Center. Her clinical interests include malignant breast diseases, oncofertility. Her research interests are ever developing. Outside of the hospital, she enjoys running, yoga, and time with her family.

Our blog is a forum for our members to speak, and as such, statements made here represent the opinions of the author and are not necessarily the opinion of the Association of Women Surgeons.

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