07/02/2026
A Letter to My 30-Year-Old Self
Dear Scott,
You think success is about proving yourself.
You believe every "yes" creates another opportunity. Every extra hour makes you a better surgeon. Every achievement brings you closer to where you want to be.
Keep working hard. That part never changes.
But let me share a few things that take decades to learn.
Your reputation will become your most valuable asset. Protect it with every decision you make.
Patients won't remember every detail of the operation. They'll remember how you listened, how you cared, and how you made them feel when they were at their most vulnerable.
Don't be afraid to challenge conventional thinking. Some of your greatest opportunities will come from asking, "Why do we do it this way?" Innovation isn't about chasing the newest technology—it's about making life better for the people who trust you.
Surround yourself with people who make you think bigger. The right relationships will shape your life far more than the right investments.
Success is not measured by how busy you are. It's measured by the difference you make.
And don't forget your family. There will always be another meeting, another case, another flight, another opportunity. The moments at home are the ones you'll treasure most.
Finally, remember this:
One day you'll realize your greatest accomplishment won't be the surgeries you performed, the companies you helped build, or the titles you earned.
It will be the people you inspired, the physicians you mentored, the patients whose lives you changed, and the courage to leave medicine a little better than you found it.
Keep your curiosity.
Keep your humility.
Keep moving forward.
The best chapters of your life are still ahead.
—Scott, age 61
