This is Why We Do What We DO
Below are testimonials from PA's, Fellows, Residents, Medical Students, Undergraduate Students and High School Students who have spent time learning from the Surgeons at the Texas Hip and Knee Foundation. Your continued support of the Foundation makes it possible to give back to the next generation of Orthopaedic Care Providers.
Testimonials
"Coming from a newer medical school, we as medical students were in charge of blazing our own path. Dr. Shau and his partners were truly a beam of light for us. They provided us with unparalleled training, education, and advanced our skillsets. Orthopedics is a challenging field to break into and without THK’s help, I do not believe our recent successes would’ve been possible. In addition to the impressive monthly didactic sessions with Dr. Shau, students have the opportunity to dive into Arthroplasty as part of our month long clinical elective. The clinical elective was a unique learning experience for students, as we had the chance to learn how to quickly become part of a very efficient team. Learning the intricacies of not only joint replacement, but also what it takes to run a successful orthopedic practice. Each operative case allowed us to advance our knowledge, problem solving, and prepare for our upcoming audition rotations. This elective gave us a significant advantage over medical students nationally and our performance is a testament to the strength of THK’s leadership."
-C.G., Medical Student
"Taking the THK clinical elective during my 4th year of medical school greatly helped prepare me to shine on my other orthopedic rotations. Joint reconstruction surgery is a subspeciality within orthopedics that few medical students can get much exposure to. When I was able to participate in total joint cases at other hospitals, the residents and attendings were often very impressed by my understanding of the relevant anatomy and technical nuances of the cases for a learner at my level. Additionally, I appreciate how invested Dr. Shau is in teaching and mentoring. He helps set up “morning reports” for the medical students to participate in which gives us a taste of a vital part of orthopedic residency that students at my medical school do not have the opportunity to otherwise participate in. Additionally, Dr. Shau would include medical students in the learning opportunities set up by industry partners for the THK adult reconstruction fellowship. During these events, we were given the opportunity to practice with the equipment commonly used in total joint surgery, learn hands-on orthopedic anatomy in cadaver labs, and get a glimpse of what the newest developments are in the world of total joint surgery. Overall, I am very thankful for the time and resources invested in me by Texas Hip and Knee and I hope to pay this generosity forward in the future!"
-J.S., Medical Student
"Dr. Shau is the sole reason that I succeeded throughout my clinical course of medical education. Moreover, through my time with him in his elective and through his mentoring, he brought me through some of the toughest periods in my education and showed me how to succeed in spite of any adversity. His elective, specifically, prepared me more for success, in just one month, than any single month of education I have ever received. I took the lessons I learned from him regarding medicine, orthopedics, and just life in general with me throughout my away rotations and was told repeatedly that whoever prepared me set me up to succeed. It is because of him and this elective that my path to residency has gone as well as it has.
Furthermore, Dr. Shau has always made me feel valued as both a student and a mentee. He would regularly check in on me, despite his busy schedule, to make sure I was doing okay. That is not something I have experienced from any teacher or professor throughout all my time in higher education, let alone a surgeon with an intensely busy practice. It is these little things that truly transformed my last two years of medical school and made all the clinical hours that much easier to bear.
Overall, Dr. Shau has both the intelligence and compassion to set anyone up for success. I am a living example of that and, while I may not be able to ever truly pay him back, I know I will never stop trying. Any medical student fortunate enough to know and interact with Dr. Shau will be better off for it."
-E.C., Medical Student
Josiah Snowden
The THK Clinical Elective was an incredibly supportive learning environment for my first formal orthopedic surgery clinical rotation. By the end of the four weeks, I felt much more confident with the common approaches to total hip and knee arthroplasty procedures and how I could actively contribute in the OR as a medical student. I was also able to improve on my suturing technique and other technical skills, all of which were so valuable as I moved on to other electives. Specifically, I rotated on the joints service at multiple different hospitals during away rotations, and residents and attendings alike were very impressed with both my knowledge base and suturing ability. I fully credit the THK elective in making sure I was prepared and able to stand out throughout the rest of my rotations.
-Medical Student
"I thoroughly enjoyed my rotation with Dr. Shau. I found him to be one of the most intelligent Physicians I have ever come across. He is a wonderful teacher that truly wants his students to learn by doing rather than watching. As a PA student it was at the top of my list for all of my rotations. I have carried on the knowledge I gained from this rotation and they have had a tremendous impact on my ability to read x-rays, understand pathophysiology, as well as compassion towards all of my patients. Dr. Shau is truly one of the best there is at his craft and it was a privilege to work beside him."
-J.M., PA Student
"Dr. Shau has served as a great mentor and has shown me what practicing medicine looks like. While working on his research team, he has taken the time to know me as an individual, a student, and a future physician. As an undergraduate student, I still have a lot to learn. But Dr. Shau is patient and always willing to teach. His trust in me has provided me with an opportunity to grow and through his guidance I have developed my leadership abilities, clinical research skills, and medical knowledge. Participating in the Texas Hip and Knee Clinical Education and Research program has been a pivotal moment in my undergraduate education and has provided me with a unique insight into medicine and medical research.
During my time at THK, I have had the opportunity to observe Dr. Shau’s work in both the clinic and the operating room. At the clinic, each patient speaks so highly of Dr. Shau. One patient explained to me that Dr. Shau called them the night before their surgery to help alleviate their fears and how having a surgeon that cares for them in that way made them feel much more confident in the procedure. At clinic, Dr. Shau has created an environment that helps the patients feel heard and understood. This is something I greatly admire about his practice and hope to replicate in my own one day. I have also observed Dr. Shau in the OR and have witnessed how his leadership creates a unified surgical team. Dr. Shau leads with grace and is greatly respected by all members of his team. His warm and friendly demeanor paired with his diligent care for patients creates an environment focused on providing the best possible care. Working with Dr. Shau has provided me with boosted confidence going into medical school. His mentorship and guidance have helped me to think about my future role as a physician and the path I will take to get there. Through this program I have learned about the intricacies of working as a surgeon, the medical research process, and the importance of humanistic care. Through observing Dr. Shau and working alongside him, I have gained skills and knowledge that have helped me prepare for medical school and a future career as a physician."
-E.M., Undergraduate Student
"Dr Shau has served as an excellent mentor on my journey as a pre-med student. Observing his interactions with patients and leadership among his employees confirms my own desire to become a physician. Working as a research assistant for THK has allowed me to develop my clinical skills, interact confidently with patients, and participate in orthopedic research as an undergraduate student. Additionally, Dr. Shau has helped me to develop my interpersonal skills by emphasizing the value of teamwork, effective communication, and compassion in his own practice. He values the dedication of THK foundation members and recognizes hard work by offering opportunities for shadowing and leadership roles. Dr. Shau's patients adore him and fifteen years from now I hope I receive the same level of admiration from my own patients."
-M.A., Undergraduate Student
“I want to start off by giving thanks to Dr. Shau and his teammate’s for giving us the opportunity to attend their local facilities. It’s a great opportunity for us as high school students, to see real-life connections with patients. Not only does it help us explore our career opportunities, but it also motivates us to stay in the healthcare career pathway. One of my future goals and most important is to become a Pediatric Nurse, helping people is what I love to do. When entering their facilities, the staff always greets us with a smile and makes us feel welcome. They have the absolute best team!”
-C.R., High School Student
“I am very grateful for the opportunity to work with Dr. Shau. Shadowing a professional, an amazing one at that, has expanded my horizons and allowed me to understand what I want to do with my future. He has cultivated such a welcoming and caring environment that makes me excited for healthcare. It has made me able to understand the effort and hard work that is required to navigate this field and it has been a learning experience I will never forget.”
-Z. P., High School Student
"Working at Texas Hip and Knee Foundation Education and Research has impacted me in various ways. As a high school student, it's very overwhelming figuring out what career I want to do for the rest of my life. Yet, working with real professionals has helped me realize that there are many options to choose from in the healthcare industry. With Dr. Shaus' team, I have learned that I can always expand my options and reach for what I want; and that there is no good or bad for what I choose, but only better. Not only do I get to experience working with real patients hands-on, but I also get to ask questions and expand my knowledge with people who are always willing to help. Dr. Shau always greets my high school classmates and me with a smile, which helps me stay motivated to one day make it big in the medical world. "
-V.T.., High School Student
Having the opportunity to shadow Dr. Shau and his team has given me an incredible opportunity. It’s been such an eye-opening experience, getting to see behind the scenes of a doctor’s office and not just as the patient.”
-H.M., High School Student