A surgeon’s life is defined by long hours, exacting focus, and countless critical decisions that impact the lives of others. They go through years of training to develop a stamina that can sustain the deepest, complex pressures. But just like the rest of us, they rely on small rituals and routines to keep their days steady, mind sharp, and energy plugging along.
In Routine Procedures, we’re taking a closer look at the daily habits—from breakfast choices to favorite shoes—that shape our surgeons’ work and life.
Right Foot First, Wordle Always
Beth A. Schrope, MD, PhD
Pancreatic Surgeon
Director, Autologous Islet Cell Transplantation Program
What time does your alarm go off in the morning?
I don’t need an alarm, but I wake up at 5:30.
Snooze or no snooze?
N/A!
Breakfast of choice (especially before a big day)?
One egg with a slice of cheese, maybe a piece of toast, some avocado. And a big cup of coffee.
First thing you do when you get to work:
Open my computer and check Epic.
Do you have any pre-op rituals or routines?
I never step into the OR with my left foot, only my right foot. I don't really know why; it’s always been that way. I’ll even do a stupid little foot dance just to get the right foot in first. Even my husband notices it, too.
What music is in your OR?
Oh yes, there’s music. I pick it. I like EDM, kind of house, but gentle house music. Synthesized stuff.
Favorite shoes for long days standing in the OR:
My Calzuro clogs
Favorite part of your day:
I’m gonna say the Wordle.
What’s always in your lab coat pocket or bag?
Chapstick
Any non-medical habit that helps you stay focused?
I’ve started doing Tai Chi.
Most underrated part of your job:
I think it’s the little things. Trying to find a little cup of applesauce for my patient, or making sure there’s enough gauze to stuff into their bags so they’re okay when they get home and they don’t have to run to CVS. You know, little stuff like that.
When you finally get home, what’s the first thing you do?
Plan dinner.
If one of your patients saw you outside the hospital, they’d be surprised to see you…
Grocery shopping—in my civilian clothes.
More routines:
James Lee, MD
Chief of Endocrine Surgery
Abe Krikhely, MD
Chief of Minimally Invasive Surgery and Bariatric Surgery
Roshni Rao, MD
Chief of Breast Surgery
John Chabot, MD
Chief of GI/Endocrine Surgery
Executive Director of the Pancreas Center
Jason Hawksworth, MD
Surgical Director, Adult Liver Transplantation
Chief of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Division of Abdominal Organ Transplant and Hepatobiliary Surgery
Emile A. Bacha, MD
Chair, Department of Surgery
Surgeon-in-Chief, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital / Columbia University Medical Center
Virendra I. Patel, MD, MPH
Chief of Vascular Surgery
Co-Director of Aortic Center
Christine H. Rohde, MD, MPH
Chief, Division of Plastic Surgery
Chief of Microvascular Services
Vincent Pierre Duron, MD
Pediatric Surgeon
Thomas A. Imahiyerobo, MD
Director, Cleft and Craniofacial Surgery
Section Chief, Pediatric Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Francisco Guzman, MD
Bariatric Surgeon