We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Double Board-Certified Cosmetic Surgeon Dr. Clive Persaud a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Dr. Persaud, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
Simply put, no portion of my professional development thus far has been easy. I have never been able to read the textbook once and be competent. For years on end, I would read the book, then reread, then annotate, then recite, then read again, in order to have a chance against the litany of exams a professional education requires. Even after such effort, there would still be many failures. I found ways to not allow each failure to bring me down and kept pushing forward. The time such effort required came with life sacrifices, however, I always made it a point to exercise every day and eat a balanced diet to maintain personal health. While enduring hardships, I kept my goals in mind which was the motivation that allowed me to persevere.
Residency training presented different challenges. For five years, I arrived to the hospital well before sunrise and would not leave until after sunset, or even after sunrise the next day, while also working most weekends. Rounding on patients, operating all day, then studying all night is the plight of every surgery resident. Finding a work-life balance was difficult but essential to remaining healthy both physically and mentally. I am truly grateful for my mentors for teaching me the surgical craft and the art of patient care.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a Double Board Certified, Fellowship-trained, Cosmetic Surgeon practicing in Tampa, FL performing cosmetic surgery and aesthetic injectable procedures. I specialize in surgical procedures of the breast, body, and face. I believe in an all-encompassing approach to patient care in which I personally see each patient for consultation, perform all operations, and evaluate every patient multiple times in the post-operative period. Each patient is given 24-hour access to me for any questions or concerns during their recovery. If a patient is from outside of the Tampa area, I offer virtual consults to decrease their travel burden. My goal is to help each patient achieve the look they desire while providing optimal medical care.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1. Perseverance – Regardless of the field of work/study one pursues, there will inevitably be obstacles to overcome. The ability to endure the hardships, learn from them, and continue on our journey will ultimately dictate our success. I believe this concept is predicated on choosing work or study that we are truly and passionately invested in which in turn will pull the best efforts out of us.
2. Professionalism – While this idea can be extrapolated in many ways, the key takeaway is to hold yourself to a higher standard. As we continue on our individual journeys, constantly think of ways to separate yourself from the rest and execute those ideas. This concept is how we not only achieve our goals but unlock our true potential to be the best version of ourselves on our pursuit of success.
3. Trust – Trust from a patient allows me to perform an evaluation and any surgical or injectable procedure. I consider success the retention of that trust after each encounter. As I look back on my achievements, I do not consider them by an individual but rather a collaborative effort made possible by family, mentors, and colleagues. My education and training have prepared me to interact with patients and provide them with the best care possible. Without each and every patient, I would not have the privilege of practicing medicine and surgery.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
The fields of medicine, surgery, and cosmetic surgery are vast and professional marketing and education are of the utmost importance. I love working with businesses and individuals that have a focus on professionalism and disseminating education on the safety and benefits of cosmetic surgery, pre- and post-operative care, and social media marketing. For those who are interested in collaborating, please feel free to direct message on Instagram @drclivepersaud or e-mail at drclivepersaud@gmail.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org/doctors/clive-persaud-do/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drclivepersaud/
- Other: E-mail: drclivepersaud@gmail.com
Image Credits
Ieshia Jones Ahmad Hlayhel Brian Kohnle
