Artemis II and Being the Best Resident

In this episode of The Upper Hand, Chuck and Chris reflect on the successful splashdown of NASA's Artemis II mission, using it as a springboard to discuss leadership, character, and selection in high-stakes environments. They draw parallels between the rigorous astronaut selection process—where technical excellence is assumed and interpersonal qualities like emotional stability, agreeableness, and teamwork become the deciding factors—and the challenges of selecting top-tier residents and fellows in orthopedic surgery. The hosts emphasize the importance of 'the 3 a.m. test'—the kind of person you'd want by your side during a crisis—as a benchmark for character. They also explore practical training insights from a recent talk by Rick Wright, former executive vice chair at WashU and current chair at Vanderbilt, focusing on being the 'best resident and attending you can be.' Key takeaways include the value of deliberate practice, timing surgical steps, preparing thoroughly before cases, and the importance of clinic as an educational and emotional anchor. The hosts stress that technical skill must be paired with mental readiness, humility, and a 'hustle gene' to thrive in academic medicine. The episode also highlights actionable pearls: templating fractures in advance, writing detailed surgical plans, and using clinic time not just for patient care but for deep learning and affirmation. The hosts reflect on the emotional rewards of medicine—especially follow-up visits and patient gratitude—and the importance of recognizing team contributions, even through small gestures like sharing gifts. With a tone that balances professional rigor with warmth, the conversation underscores that excellence in surgery isn't just about knowledge or dexterity, but about mindset, character, and sustained effort over time.