<h2>I Received Contradictory Advice from Mentors When Starting the Practice</h2>
<p>I solicited as much advice as I could from my professional network when my wife and I founded Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery. Unfortunately, much of that advice was contradictory. For example, I was advised by one mentor to initially sublet space from another physician. I was advised by another mentor to start my practice in a new, personalized space. Once I had made the decision to build out a new office I was advised both to <em>and</em> not to build an <strong><a href="/about-us/our-practice">accredited office-based surgery suite</a> </strong>(OBSS). I chose to build the OBSS.</p>
<h2>Ask People Not For Advice but What They Did and Why</h2>
<p>I realized over time, rather than asking people for advice, it is more helpful to ask them what they did and why. Everyone&rsquo;s professional journey is unique and cannot be copied for many reasons. However, I have found making my own decisions easier when I understand why other people made them and, most importantly, what the consequences were. I have gained the most valuable information from the reflections of thoughtful individuals on their choices years after they were made.</p>
<h2>I Have Had the Opportunity to Reflect on My Choices Which Led Me to Facial Plastic Surgery</h2>
<p>I could imagine no other career for myself. It has become a vocation. However, looking back, many things needed to have gone &ldquo;right&rdquo; for me to reach the point at which I was able to become a fellowship trained, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon. For example, I needed to score high enough on multiple rounds of standardized testing (e.g., MCAT, USMLE). I needed to consistently earn high grades in college and medical school. I needed to be invited to interviews for medical school, residency, and fellowship. I needed to interview well. I needed to build the experience necessary to achieve board certification. It was an amalgam of hard work, persistence, and luck that led me &ndash; improbably, for anyone &ndash; to my profession. Moreover, I achieved a great deal without the perspective or guidance of a parent or other relative.</p>
<h2>I Hope to Provide My Children with Perspective, Not Necessarily Guidance</h2>
<p>I was the first physician in my family. As a result, I navigated college, medical school, residency, and fellowship without an example or the perspective of someone who had gone through it as well. If one or both of my children pursues a career in medicine, I would be able to provide them with a perspective I never had.</p>
<p>I would highlight both the positive and negative aspects of a career in medicine. That is something I never fully appreciated during my education and training. I believe they need a balanced perspective to understand how their professional choices could affect their lives when they are adults because the decision to enter medicine is made when you are young.</p>
<h2>I Hope to Model My Values for My Children</h2>
<p>I hope the values my wife and I model will help them become grounded, kind, happy, and successful individuals who are good to others. One of the things I am cognizant of is that I do not project my own desires, regrets, and aspirations onto my children. I strive to simply be an example; to be not only the father they deserve but also the physician they deserve to be cared for by. This does not mean that I would not derive great joy to watch my son and/or daughter become a facial plastic surgeon and pass the practice on to them.</p>
<h2>Trust Your Face to a Fellowship-Trained, Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon</h2>
<p>It is important to seek a fellowship-trained, double board-certified specialist in plastic surgery of the face and neck when you have concerns about your face or neck.</p>

Post Photo Will I Encourage My Children to Become Physicians

Will I Encourage My Children to Become Physicians?

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