Olivia P. Maddox, MPAS, PA-C

I became an orthopaedic surgeon because I wanted to improve the quality of life for my patients. Feet and ankles are amazingly complicated and delicate. Yet, we pound on them every day as they get us through work and play! If your feet hurt, it is hard to do your job and to have the motivation to play and take care of your body. Working in orthopaedics lets me express two sides of my personality. One side enjoys getting to know people. The other side likes to solve problems. I love hearing my patients’ stories and their expectations. I enjoy helping patients make sense of their experiences and understand different solutions to their conditions. Whether the treatment is surgical or non-surgical, my goal is to help them get back to doing what they love. My job is easy: I educate patients about what is going on with their ankle or foot. I tell them about their treatment options. And then they tell me what they want to do. I may be the expert about feet, but my patients are the experts about their bodies and lives.

I chose a career in medicine because I wanted my life's work to help others in the most meaningful way I could. I enjoyed science and medicine, and I like working with my hands, so a career in surgery was a natural fit. Working with children is incredibly fun and rewarding for me, and I really enjoy the anatomy and mechanics around the hand and upper extremity, which is why I made these two areas my focus in fellowship training. I explain to patients and their families that there are always options for their care. We discuss the pros and cons of each option, and together use the available scientific evidence to choose the best course. I focus on what’s best for my patients’ quality of life. If surgery is recommended, I explain the procedure, offer telemedicine sessions as needed, and answer any questions my patients have. Sometimes there is no "right" answer, but I always recommend what I honestly feel is the best course for that individual patient. My goal is to help them recover as close to normal function as possible. I think it's crucial to involve anyone who is important to the patient in our discussions. This includes a patient’s parents, spouse, children, or anyone else who helps care for them. Patients and families appreciate our thorough and transparent discussions and how much time I spend on their care. I am sincerely motivated by doing what is best for my patients. There’s nothing more rewarding in medicine than seeing a patient improve after caring for them.

I always try to explain my patient's conditions in terms that are easiest for them to understand. I talk with them as if I were talking with my own family member or friend. I assure them that they are getting the best care possible. I also want to be sure that all family members understand the condition and treatment plan. I want them to be comfortable with the plan moving forward as well. I try to make sure that all their questions are answered and that everyone is on the same page regarding the next steps. I chose orthopaedics because I have always been active in sports. I spent a lot of time at my own orthopedist's office as a child with a variety of different injuries. I enjoy helping people and want to make sure that I can get them back to the activities that they enjoy. I hope to work together with my patients to ensure that we are coming up with the best plan for them.