Resident Spotlight: Dr. Kyle Fisher, PGY4, Anesthesia & Perioperative Medicine
As a fourth year resident in Anesthesia & Perioperative Medicine, Dr. Kyle Fisher must always be considering the unforeseen, making quick and thoughtful decisions and serving as his patients’ advocate. It’s a challenge, but well suited to his type-a personality.
Dr. Fisher recognizes that during surgery patients may feel like they are losing control of their body and their choices, and it’s his role to assure them. “In a quick meeting with my patients I have to be reassuring and attentive,” Dr. Fisher said. “I have to be someone that they can trust to advocate for their best wishes while under anesthesia and I have to understand all the potential complications ahead,” he added.
The senior resident is grateful to the education and mentorship he’s received focused on patient advocacy, which has helped to enrich his interactions with patients. Truly being an advocate for patients, he says, means treating everyone with respect, regardless of their situation. Meanwhile being constantly vigilant helps to support the team around him and his patients through a successful operation.
During the past few years, the meaning of success and satisfaction has changed for Dr. Fisher. In his first year or two, he was very excited about procedures like intubations, arterial lines and central lines. “I relished the opportunity to use my hands and to be quick and smooth with the procedures.”
Now, when he enters into the operating room, he’s constantly thinking about the medical decisions he needs to make and the unforeseen event he may face, as well as how best to manage them.
“I love the challenge,” Dr. Fisher said. “All my patients are different, and by considering all possible outcomes and planning and preparing for each, I get satisfaction when I see my patients have a successful operation.”
It’s this passion for his work and his patients that has contributed to Dr. Fisher’s personal satisfaction and happiness. “Do the things in life that you feel passionate about,” he advised. “It could be travel, family or work, whatever it is, if you pursue it, you will have a healthy balance.”
No stranger to unfortunate outcomes, Dr. Fisher contracted malaria twice during two volunteer trips to Ghana. Despite this, he says he was able to learn a lot about himself and admires the individuals in Ghana for their generosity.
“I made lifelong friends with the people who lived close by,” said Dr. Fisher. “They give so much and expect so little in return.”
A firm believer in hard work, Dr. Fisher said, “Never stop learning and never give up. The things in life that are worth having are seldom easy to obtain.”
