I had a fabulous time in September, introducing a group of pre-med (IS Science) students at Chapparal High School to the amazing field of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. As much as I enjoy working with my staff and patients here at Atagi Plastic Surgery & Atagi Skin Aesthetics, I always look forward to opportunities to be involved in the community. The enthusiasm and passion shown by the high school students is infectious, and takes me back to “my roots” – a reminder of the excitement and enthusiasm that led me to follow my dreams and the career path that’s brought me to where I am today.
I thought I’d share some of the notes I’ve received from the students. Interacting with the students is always great fun and rewarding to know they were awake and interested a 6:00 a.m. (Yes, 6:00 in the morning!) I wish nothing but the best to these aspiring health care professionals! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your education.
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Thank you so much for donating your time to our class this year. The specialty of plastic surgery is truly fascinating, and you taught us so much about it. The wide variety of surgeries you have the chance to perform is amazing: from fixing cleft palates and craniosynostosis to replantation of the hand and digits. All of these are very important and help the patient have a normal lifestyle. I also found the self-esteem you build when you perform breast reconstruction for women who suffered from breast cancer particularly inspiring. You are an amazing individual, and I hope I have as many opportunities to help people when I become a practicing doctor. I am going to look into plastic surgery as my specialty after medical school. Thanks again for coming in to teach our class so early in the morning, it was really appreciated.
Sincerely, A.S.
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I really appreciate you coming in and giving some of your time to talk to our pre-med class. It is truly amazing what you can do to heal and reconstruct the human body through plastic surgery. The success that you’ve had and the amount of people you have helped is awe inspiring.
About 9 years ago, you helped my mom recover from her encounter with breast cancer and you allowed her to return to a completely normal life. She is doing very well now with no signs of reoccurrence, which we feel blessed for. I’m glad that there are dedicated and skilled doctors like you out there to save people like my mom. Everyone deserves to live a normal life, everyone deserves a chance to live the way that they want to, and you are the driving force in making that happen. I appreciate everything that you have done, not only for my family, but for the countless others that you have helped.
Thank you so much again, CP
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Thank you so much for coming to speak at our med class! This has been such a fantastic opportunity for me and all the other students in the class. Your talk was totally fascinating! I loved seeing all the different pictures and learning about all places you can harvest skin for reconstruction. Thank you so much for sacrificing precious sleep (trust me, I know how hard that was) to come and teach us about what you do. This class helped me know more about what day to day life is like in different areas of the medical field. Now, I can make a more educated choice about if I want to spend all that time and money on med school.
Thanks again for your time and your knowledge!!
Sincerely, EH
