Yesterday was a day I’ll never forget. I finally had the chance to meet THE LEGENDARY Dr. Theresa Welch Fossum, one of the most respected veterinary surgeons in the world and author of “Small Animal Surgery”, a textbook that has been my go-to surgical reference throughout my career.
To many veterinarians, “Fossum” is more than just a name on the cover of a book. It represents the foundation of how we learned surgery. Her textbook has guided veterinary students, interns, residents, and practicing surgeons around the world for decades. I am one of the many who have benefited from her shared knowledge and dedication to teaching.
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Meeting her in person was truly surreal. Despite her many accomplishments as a board-certified surgeon, researcher, educator, and internationally recognized speaker, she was warm, humble, and generous in sharing her experiences.
One lesson she shared that has stayed with me was when she told us that throughout her career, despite having had patients that did not survive surgery, she never once faced litigation. She believes that this was because she always put the patient’s best interest first and she made sure clients fully understood the risks, possible outcomes, and reasoning behind every recommendation.
This reminded me that surgery is about more than just technical skills. It is about honesty, trust, and compassion. We cannot promise perfect outcomes, but we can promise to do our best by doing what is right for our patients and to make sure we communicate openly with the people who love them.
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One of the most emotional moments of that day was having her sign my first edition copy of “Small Animal Surgery”. That signed copy is incredibly special to me. It was a gift from my mentor, Dr. Cris Pamparo, whom I deeply admire. Sadly, he passed away from a rare medical condition, but his passion for surgery and teaching continues to inspire me every day.
Having Dr. Fossum sign a book that once belonged to such an important chapter of my life felt like two of the people I look up to the most had become connected through a single moment. It is a memory I will treasure forever.
I also had the opportunity to give Dr. Fossum a small token of appreciation—a few gifts from the Philippines, including:
- Local chocolates
- A handmade bag
- A keychain
- Some stickers
These were simple gifts, but they came from a heart that is truly grateful. I hope she knows how much she has inspired me and countless other veterinarians around the world.
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If I am ever fortunate enough to have the opportunity, it would be an absolute dream to work alongside Dr. Fossum and learn from one of the greatest minds in veterinary surgery.
Thank you, Dr. Fossum, for sharing your knowledge so generously and for inspiring generations of veterinary surgeons. Meeting you was more than a dream come true; it reminded me why I chose this path and encouraged me to keep learning, keep improving, and to always put my patients first.
Some people meet their heroes. Today, I was fortunate enough to meet mine.
