ACOMS Review - Winter 2018 ACOMS Review January 2018 | Page 2

to experience some of the best terrain in the world for skiing or snowboarding. Drs. Steven Fallon & Geoffrey Zinberg from Berks Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center at the 2018 Winter Meeting A new challenge is something any surgeon would like to encounter. A new hobby will present you with a challenge to learn about it, practice it, and master it. You will need to learn through reading, online research, perhaps classroom work, and good old trial-and-error. The key to enjoying a new hobby is to allow oneself to make mistakes. One should enjoy the journey as you make progress and appreciate how you improve. We are not allowed to make mistakes in the operating room; a hobby can give you a safe place for failure. Hobbies allow you to make new friends. People with other life experiences besides being a surgeon will come together for a new common interest. This opportunity allows you to network and grow as a person. Your experience will be broadened. De-stressing can also save YOUR life. The long-term effects of stress are known to be damaging to one’s health. Hobbies are known to help decrease the risks of depression and dementia. They also have an effect on lowering blood pressure and improving mood. With constructive break time, you can remain mentally productive in a less stressful environment. Lastly, a hobby is a great way to continue to build confidence. It is always rewarding to be good at something. The journey to get there should be joyful. The learning journey is the best part of mastering a task. A hobby should be a diversion and also a passion. Let it create a sense of purpose for you. Perhaps one day, when you put down your scalpel, you will pick up your brush. Stephanie Drew, DMD, FACS President, ACOMS