There’s No Place for “Sticks and Stones” in Vascular Surgery

Many of us know the familiar childhood expression, Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me. While this saying is meant to boost courage and resilience, the truth is that words can hurt. Over the past 30 years practising vascular surgery, I have seen first hand how verbal harassment and undermining behaviour can create cultures of bullying that have no place in the operating room. The Role of Perfection and Selection in Treating Patients with Thoracic Outlet SyndromeEuropean Journal of Vascular and Endovascular SurgeryVol. 62Issue 2PreviewI always share one piece of advice when I mentor surgical trainees and new surgical faculty: be exceptional at what you choose to do. This simple, but impactful lesson is one I have learned during more than 30 years as a vascular surgeon. If you excel in your field and establish yourself as an expert, then leadership, opportunity, and positive patient outcomes will follow. Full-Text PDF Open ArchiveReply to: There’s No Place for “Sticks and Stones” in Vascular SurgeryEuropean Journal of Vascular and Endovascular SurgeryPreviewIn their letter, Files and Freischlag, who have published extensively on similar issues, present potential reasons for bullying in vascular surgery.1 Importantly, they also offer actions for redress. Full-Text PDF