 |
Cameron Killen |
- Name: Cameron Killen
- Hometown: Omaha
What key events in your life influenced your path to medical school?
I am incredibly fortunate to have survived cancer while still having the ability to maintain an active lifestyle, something I owe to orthopedics. Having had osteosarcoma and a subsequent rotationplasty, overcoming obstacles or challenges of living as an amputee as well as an intimacy with osteosarcoma, has taught me the perseverance and dedication needed to not only be only a compassionate person, but also a caring and empathetic orthopedic surgeon.
Match Day live link
To access the live link for Friday’s Match Day, click here. The link will allow you to watch the live presentation Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CDT. The ceremony will also be archived here following Friday’s event.
I remember sitting in Dr. Jim Neff’s clinic as a terrified 9-year-old. He addressed me with warmth, compassion, respect and directness. I recall gaining the confidence and resolve that everything would ultimately work out. He explained rotationplasty as a curative operation that would leave my leg shortened and foot backward, but would allow me to lead the active and athletic lifestyle I had prior to diagnosis. I saw my doctor as a superhero.
The inspiration to pursue orthopedic surgery was borne out of this respect and admiration for the team that afforded me my life and functionality. It has been multiplied by the osteosarcoma patients I have met since.
Upon completion of the chemotherapy and operation, I began meeting with families of fellow osteosarcoma patients, an honor I have continued ever since. A personal struggle has evolved into the chance to share my journey with kids and their families and impart some of what helped me through the more challenging times. The gratitude and relief they express from the hope they may gain from simply seeing, listening to and asking questions of me, only serves to spur me further in my orthopedic endeavors.
How will your experience influence you as a doctor?
Orthopedic surgery has always been a vocation rather than a career choice for me. My personal experience has offered me the perseverance, compassion and determination to realize my dream of treating individuals who are stricken with ailments similar to my own.
What is the most interesting thing you were asked to do in your residency interviews?
The strangest thing I had to do on the trail was assemble a Lego spaceship based on three diagrams, followed by drilling four holes with a STRYKER drill in a 2×4 plank, all while being asked about my application. I also had to play Operation with my left hand — that was tough.