Stories
Dr. Ross Willis
“…if I was crazy enough to run around in the woods for 24 continuous hours, I would fit in well with the ‘hard work and long hours’ surgery mindset.”
July 30, 2020
4:03 pm
“…if I was crazy enough to run around in the woods for 24 continuous hours, I would fit in well with the ‘hard work and long hours’ surgery mindset.”
“One of my favorite traditions was what my cousins and I called Grandpa’s Day. My grandpa was a politician and was always very busy with work, but every Wednesday, he’d take all of the grandkids to the mall to watch a movie and eat dinner.”
“I realized how important representation is, especially in medicine. Not just as a number or proportion, but also as people to be an inspiration to the next generation.”
“A promotional video during one of the intermissions popped up on the jumbotron that asked “Do you want to be a Dallas Stars Ice Girl?” My boss pushed me to give it a go and I decided to give it a shot.”
“When I was 6 months old, my parents suspected I had a hearing difference.”
“I spent most of my teenage years very confused and mentally unwell. Looking back, I did not have the knowledge or terminology to convey how I felt. I was experiencing gender dysphoria.”
“I love getting to know the patients and their stories. They like to see you as a person, not just as a doctor or a surgeon. Then they aren’t afraid to ask questions and tell you their fears.”
“I am a mother, a trauma surgeon, and an outspoken advocate for women all at the same time. Though there is still much to be desired in the quest for equality, I have seen great progress both in and outside my field in this regard. 10 years from now I think we’ll be staring at a very different landscape.”
“Students see us where we are now and don’t often see our evolution as a physician and person. For a long time I wanted to fit in and not stand out to make it through but now I know that I need to be the one speaking up.”
