Quick Questions for Sean Lacey, DO, RMSK

Q: What’s something people would be surprised to know about you?

SL: I am struggling to learn how to play the guitar. Ive been a bit less consistent than I would like with it but i’m making progress. 

Q: What is your favorite thing about your job?

SL: Helping people through challenging situations. It is very satisfying when, months after having a challenging discussion, the conversation is changed and now they are talking about new things they are doing and a higher level of function. Flipping the conversation from a frustrated one to a hopeful one. The patient-facing part of the job is very rewarding. 

Q: If you could have a conversation with your younger self, what advice would you give?

SL: Probably similar advice as many others. Be patient and take the long-haul view. I think I’m kind of wired that way, but it does help to have a reminder. Really appreciating the process and not focusing on outcome is better for mental health and other outcomes. 

Q: If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?

SL: Abraham Lincoln. The things that he had to lead the country through and the problems that he had to face were unprecedented, and how he used his communication skills and conceptual skills to guide the nation is quite deserving of being considered one of the best presidents in history. Just having the chance to talk to him would be pretty awesome. 

Q: Greatest athlete of all time?

SL: If we are talking about individual sports, it would  probably be Michael Phelps. 

Q: What book do you always recommend to people?

SL: In a PMR context, I really like Cuccurullo (PMR board review). More broadly, I would say Upheaval: Turning Points for Nations… It puts things in a historical context and describes how society has changed. Can be useful to frame things when we are going through challenging times. 

Q: Why do you love about being on faculty for ExEd?

SL: I really believe that when you teach, you learn yourself, and this is one of the most fun parts of these things. Everyone at the events is very dedicated to the craft, and I always come away from the conferences looking at things from a different angle. Participants can leave with practical skills that they can apply at bedside as soon as they go back to their practices, which is different from other conferences. Others don’t show you how to do things; they just talk about them. ExEd Institute is good at doing both, and that’s why we structure the curriculum the way we do.