How to Best utilize the Elder Surgeon Patricia J Numann MD FACS President American College of Surgeons Elder Surgeon

Assess Skill Set and Behavior Play to their Strengths Treat them with Respect Evaluate your needs/institution needs Listen to their plans Don’t try and teach an old dog new tricks Don’t give them a pity position Allow them to retire gracefully

Be clear on Finances Discuss the proposed position and what realistically will be paid Have the finances transparent within the department Look for outside revenue See if they are willing to volunteer

Surgical Practice Part time positions at VA, other clinical sites Supervise Residents Act as Surgical Assistants Modify their schedule Missionary work

Education Teach---anatomy lab, bioethics, nursing and health profession schools, medical students and residents Administer educational programs Develop new programs and materials including patient education materials

Administration Hospital administration,-quality, safety, compliance Departmental-schedules, finance Medical School- Deanly positions Accreditation and Verification programs

Write Assist junior faculty in grant writing and article writing Write or Edit a book Write for the lay press Pursue creative writing

Retrain Palliative Care Medicine Travel Medicine Workman’s comp

Ambassador Fund raising Business development

Plan Retirement Have the Hard Discussion Help then realize there is life after surgery Don’t make the retirement event make them feel indispensible!

Develop Your Own Strategy Do not become someone’s problem