Dr. Kathy Hughes
Dr. Kathryn A. (Kathy) Hughes is a board certified General Surgeon, whose career has been in the community hospital setting, ranging from remote critical access hospitals to busy urban hub hospitals. She is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. She is a member of the Association of Women Surgeons, and the American Medical Association. When she started this blog she lived in Massachusetts where she was a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society, and served as a member of the House of Delegates and in various other leadership roles in the medical society and her local districts, including Chair of the Women Physicians Section. She has since relocated to New York State, where she is a member of the Medical Society of the State of New York and her local medical society.
She has been active throughout her career on numerous hospital committees, and has held hospital leadership positions including Chief of Surgery positions and Vice-President of Medical Staff; these positions have fostered and developed her interest and expertise in medical ethics and quality/peer review including measures and processes, in addition to her clinical interests and practice. She has given numerous talks and lectures, to both colleagues and for community events, and has appeared on radio and local television.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount Holyoke College, graduating Magna cum Laude with a degree in Biochemistry. Her Doctor of Medicine degree was earned at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, DC. Her Post-graduate Surgical training (residency) began in the University of Nevada School of Medicine system (University Medical Center in Las Vegas, and the Reno Veteran’s Administration Hospital), from which she transferred back to Washington, DC to complete her residency at The George Washington University Hospital program.
She enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, movies, music (eclectic taste), photography, sports and nature/the outdoors, and cooking/food&wine (almost a “foodie”). She is interested in bird-watching and wildlife (especially in her own back-yard), and dabbles in gardening. She loves dogs. She keeps looking for more things to add to this list.
She is a daughter, a sister, a niece, an aunt, a cousin, a friend, a classmate, a colleague, a coworker, a neighbor, the chatty person next to you on the plane or in line—or the quiet one.
Her Twitter handle is @DrKathyHughes, you can follow her there or on Facebook as DrKathy Hughes. Please “like” the Facebook page for Behind the Mask.
Dear Dr. Hughes,
Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Jacqueline Berger, known professionally as “The First Ladies Lady.” I am a national guest speaker, historian, and author on America’s First Ladies. While doing research for my 3rd book, I came across your article ‘A Fellow’s perspective on the Summit: Why are you here? To lead, to advocate, and to connect,’ and thought it was brilliant! My book is on the 25 leadership skills of the First Ladies. One of the chapters is called, Leaders are Advocates. I’ve written the chapter and thought the ending of your article ‘Where will you be?’ was so beautifully articulated, I wanted to quote you almost word for word. Naturally I would not do this without your permission. I would say; Advocate Leader, Kathryn A. Hughes, MD, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons had this to say about advocacy:
“If you keep quiet because you think your voice does not matter or that you will not be heard, then you will be proven right. If you do not get involved because you think that you will not make a difference, you won’t. Only by speaking up can you have the chance to be heard. Only by becoming involved will you have a chance to make a difference. You may be met with indifference or skepticism, even outright opposition. Your audience may be small. The impact of your efforts may seem insignificant. But if you speak, if you act, you can have an effect. Even a small impact matters. It only takes one or two others to hear you speak or to observe your actions to follow your lead and magnify your efforts. The ideas spread; the effect grows. When that happens, you have become a person of influence and a leader.”
I’ve quoted several other leaders such as Abraham Lincoln, Gandhi, etc. Thank you so much for your advocacy leadership and I look forward to hearing back from you soon. Be well, Jacqueline Berger
Dr. Hughes,
I was doing an internet search on surgeons who can no longer operate due to injuries and came across your blog.
I have a friend who us a surgeon. He was injured in a car accident and sustained nerve damage to his hand at is unable to operate. He has had a nerve graft but is unsure if he regain use of his hand. Do you know of any resources that could help him with figuring out a plan B? Any peer groups perhaps that can offer some guidance?
Thank you
JB
Sorry. Couple of typos in that last post!
Julie, thanks for reaching out. It varies by state and specialty, but any professional societies or associations he belongs to, the medical board may all have resources; he can also reach out to his own doctors who may be able to help him reach out.
I am fortunate that where I am, the Massachusetts Medical Society has support, And i imagine the American College of Surgeons does, too.
This must be quite stressful, I wish you both the best as the future unfolds.
Take Care