Aphorisms that I have come to live by

I am truly honoured, yet humbled by the presence of each of you here today, celebrating my upcoming retirement at this Festschrift. It has been a wonderful day filled with good science, a few tears and great laughter. I want to thank the Program Committee James Lee, Sally Carty, Cord Sturgeon and Tracy Wang for a wonderful day. I was so proud to see former residents and fellows present their own work as established physician/surgeons in their scope of expertise. I am sure all of you present would agree that I have had the distinct pleasure of collaborating with a remarkable group of colleagues in Calgary and throughout the world. They have been an integral part in my own success. It has been a pleasure to see so many of my international friends and mentors fill the room. As I reflect on a surgical career that spans over three decades, I will focus my talk on two important areas that have shaped me as a surgeon. The first is on patient care and the value that our personal interactions with our patients gives us. Secondly, I would be remiss if I did not comment as a female surgeon in what remains a male dominated profession as to the value of women in surgical disciplines.