From West Point to Wine

Watch or listen in as host David Mandell welcomes orthopedic surgeon Dr. Patrick St. Pierre.

Pat begins by sharing his background in the military, where he served in the infantry and as an airborne ranger pathfinder and eventually transitioned to medical school and a path in orthopedics. He then tells David about his decisions around the first job he took outside of the military on the east coast and his eventual move to Palm Desert, CA to a growing orthopedic practice there.

The conversation then shifts to Pat’s involvement with industry, including work on a Mako orthopedic robot for shoulder surgeries. He comments on the importance of physicians working with industry and gives advice to those thinking about doing so.

David and Pat then discuss Pat’s plan for retirement, which he has given a lot of thought to over the last decade after seeing colleagues struggle with life post-medical career. Pat is passionate about retiring TO something, not just FROM medicine. Pat explains his TO – is wine – and give insights on what he has been doing for some years to train and become certified as a master sommelier.

The podcast concludes with Pat giving some specific advice for colleagues on approaching retirement beyond medicine.

TAKEAWAYS:

Takeaway 1: The Importance of Mental Preparation for Retirement

Dr. St. Pierre emphasizes the necessity of planning for retirement well in advance, not just financially but also mentally and emotionally. He stresses the significance of retiring to something, not just from medicine or surgery, to keep oneself mentally stimulated and active.

St. Pierre shares, “I think it’s very important to change genre. If you think, oh, I’ll just go help out and do orthopedics again and just keep doing the same thing, that doesn’t challenge your brain as much as learning a new instrument, studying a new language, going into wine or something that’s different than what you’re already doing.” He believes it’s crucial to “challenge our brains until the day we die”, and to continually learn new things.

St. Pierre also warns against setting unrealistic goals in one’s retirement activities, remarking, “You don’t have 25 more years to accomplish them so you have to do something that you can accomplish and seems reasonable.” He highlights the importance of setting achievable goals and enjoying the process of learning and growth.

Takeaway 2: The Role of Industry Collaboration in Medical Advancement

Pat highlights the vital role industry collaboration plays in medical advancement. He addresses the controversies surrounding physician-industry relationships, yet stresses the need for such collaborations to ensure the development of effective medical tools and techniques.

St. Pierre states, “Industry doesn’t know how to grow and do things that we need unless we collaborate with them. So, I think nobody should get paid for just using somebody’s implants and that came down 15, 20 years ago and I totally agree with that but we need to have physician involvement with industry so that they can make the right decisions and do things.”

He also emphasizes the importance of physicians being compensated for their time and effort when working with industry, pointing out that these collaborations can be rewarding and necessary for the advancement of medical technologies and procedures.

Takeaway 3: Reflections on a Varied Career Path and the Value of Mentorship

St. Pierre shares insights from his diverse career journey, starting from his military service to his transition to orthopedic surgery. He highlights the critical role of mentorship and guidance in shaping his career choices and decisions.

St. Pierre shares, “I think the mentors and the personalities of the people you meet going through those, you really fit into wherever your personality works and you’ve interviewed all kinds of different specialists. So, the sports world, orthopedic world is very hands-on, outgoing sports guys and that was attractive.”

He also emphasizes the importance of considering family dynamics when making career decisions, advising, “If you’re married and you have kids, you really need to look at that because, if your wife’s not happy where you’re located, you’re not going to make it.” St. Pierre’s reflections underscore the multifaceted nature of career decision-making in medicine, encompassing personal interests, professional guidance, and family considerations.

INSIGHTS

1. Pat St. Pierre’s Background: A West Point graduate, he also completed his medical education at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences and has an extensive military medical career, including residencies and fellowships in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine.
    
2. Military Experience: St. Pierre initially served in the infantry, where he undertook demanding roles such as airborne ranger and pathfinder, before transitioning to medicine in the military.
    
3. Motivation for Medicine: Inspired by personal experiences, including his mother’s battle with heart disease, Dr. St. Pierre initially considered cardiology before shifting to orthopedics.
    
4. Choosing Orthopedic Surgery: He found his passion for orthopedics and sports medicine through impactful rotations and mentorship during medical school.
    
5. Transition to Civilian Practice: After 24 years of military service, his first civilian role in Virginia was driven by family considerations and proximity to his wife’s ailing parents.
    
6. Palm Desert Practice: St. Pierre joined Eisenhower Desert Orthopedic Center and has been practicing there for 17 years, playing a pivotal role in the growth of the practice.
    
7. Sports Medicine Leadership: He became the lead physician for major sports events, including the BNP Paribas Tennis Open, and worked with junior colleges, high schools, and a professional hockey team.
    
8. Financial Lessons for Young Physicians: He emphasized the importance of mentors, contract review, and considering regional factors like managed care and ancillary revenue streams when choosing a practice.
    
9. Overhead Management: St. Pierre’s group reduced their overhead by transitioning into a hospital-affiliated model, which improved financial efficiency.
    
10. Industry Collaboration: He values physician involvement in medical device development and has contributed to innovations like the BioWick rotator cuff anchor and the Mako robotic shoulder replacement.
     
11. Mako Robotic Shoulder Surgery: St. Pierre is part of a global team developing this cutting-edge technology, with FDA approval recently granted, signaling a transformative advance in shoulder surgery.
     
12. Planning for Retirement: He advocates for retiring to something meaningful rather than simply retiring from medicine, sharing his personal journey of preparing for life after surgery.
     
13. Passion for Wine: St. Pierre pursued a Master of Wine certification, a rigorous program blending science, viticulture, and business, becoming one of a select few in the world to achieve this level.
     
14. Future Endeavors: He plans to continue contributing to wine education and management while staying engaged with the medical industry, ensuring a fulfilling post-retirement phase.
     
15. Lifelong Learning: St. Pierre underscores the importance of challenging oneself with new pursuits, such as studying wine or learning an instrument, to keep the mind active and engaged.

LINKS & BIOS:

• Guest, Dr. Pat St. Pierre | Bio | Curriculum Vitae
• Host, David B. Mandell | Bio