Kelley Banagan, MD, is an assistant professor of orthopedics and assistant residency director in the department of orthopedics at Baltimore-based University of Maryland School of Medicine.
Her practice focuses on spine surgery and she completed a spine fellowship at Chicago-based Rush University Medical Center. Here, she discusses the key challenges and best opportunities for spine and orthopedic surgeons heading into next year.
Question: What are the top two to three challenges you're facing heading into 2019?
Dr. Kelley Banagan: My biggest challenge heading into 2019 is finding balance between my clinical responsibilities, and my teaching and mentoring obligations. I have long felt that one of the most rewarding aspects of my job has been resident and fellowship education, and over the years, my commitment to the medical students at the University of Maryland, and streamlining our department's clerkship experience, as well as increasing faculty and resident engagement, has become a passion of mine. As the assistant residency director, and assigned mentor to multiple female medical students, it is often difficult to carve out the time needed to devote to those commitments in the midst of daily clinical demands.
Q: What technology are you most excited about in the future?
CB: While it's not brand new technology, I believe that the EOS Radiology and Imaging system, which is a low-dose, 3D imaging system performed with the patient standing up, has, and will, revolutionize the care of spine patients. As a provider who cares for young patients with scoliosis, typically requiring multiple radiographs a year, decreasing their cumulative dose of lifelong radiation provides significant benefit. Additionally, the 3D capabilities of the machine allow the provider to visualize and understand complex spinal deformity in a fashion not afforded by conventional radiographs.
Q: What is your best opportunity for growth?
CB: I look at the start of every new year as an opportunity for growth, both personally and professionally: growth as a clinician, a surgeon, an educator, a mentor and in all my roles outside the hospital. I have many goals for 2019, but the ones that I feel will contribute to my overall personal and professional growth to the greatest extent are simple: to read more and to network more.
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For a deeper dive into the future of orthopedics, attend the Becker's 17th Annual Future of Spine + Spine, Orthopedic & Pain Management-Driven ASC in Chicago, June 13-5, 2019. Click here to learn more and register.