01/13/2026    

SOLE PURPOSE BY SAVANNAH SANTIAGO, DPM

Lessons Learned From My First Time in the Operating Room

 

Editor’s note: This is the first in a series written by Savannah Santiago, DPM, currently completing her podiatric residency, which provides helpful advice to podiatric students, residents, and young practitioners. (This column is adapted from her blog on PRESENT eLearning Systems.)

 

Dr. Savannah Santiago

 

Here are some valuable tips that have aided her in navigating her experiences as a student and a resident:

 

1. Preparation is Key - Spend some time the night before familiarizing yourself with the surgery. While you shouldn't sacrifice sleep, investing an easy 15 minutes in reading resources like OrthoBullets, McGlamry, Coughlin, or relevant articles can significantly enhance your confidence and ability to answer questions correctly. Do not only sleep 2 hours the night before surgery to prepare… you need sleep. Balance is important.