Are you on the path to success, but still trying to figure out what drives it? In a recent article by Shoutout SoCal, La Jolla plastic surgeon Dr. Katerina Gallus shares her personal journey to success as a female board-certified plastic surgeon, and how she discovered that a strong sense of purpose, consistent hard work, and a willingness to learn and adapt were the key factors that propelled her forward.
In the interview, Dr. Gallus states that she believes the most important factor behind a successful brand or person is staying true to your vision and values. Being inspired by what creates joy and fulfillment in your career is critical to staying the course. Without the proper motivation, it can be impossible to continue the upward trajectory of success. “As a physician, I truly love what I do – educating, interacting, and taking care of patients,” Dr. Gallus says. “Without that passion, it would be extremely challenging to create a private practice, run a successful business and continue to provide outstanding surgical care.”
“Without passion, it would be extremely challenging to create a private practice, run a successful business and continue to provide outstanding surgical care.”
Dr. Gallus then shares a bit about her business, Restore SD Plastic Surgery and med spa in San Diego. As a female surgeon and Navy veteran, she offers a unique perspective with regards to her approach to plastic surgery. She has over a decade of experience in complex reconstructive surgery, having worked with wounded warriors from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. Dr. Gallus also has a strong background and love of aesthetic surgery and advancing technology. “Plastic surgery is an exciting field of medicine and I enjoy providing state-of-the-art technology in a meaningful way to my patients,” she says.
Dr. Gallus also admits that starting her practice was quite challenging – she retired from the Navy and initially began with a partner. Fairly early on, they parted ways, as his expectations of what it would be like to start from scratch did not match the reality of the hard work and hustle involved. She acknowledges that not everyone is cut out to learn every aspect of running a business and to make the leap of faith that one’s talent and motivation will prevail. “When he left and I was on my own, it was a challenge,” she recalls. “A challenge to understand that I was solely responsible for the success or failure of Restore SD, and I was approaching it from the perspective of the one who wasn’t giving up. What if I was wrong? Having the support of my family and my colleagues across the country helped me forge on. It definitely was worth it!”
“It was a challenge to understand that I was solely responsible for the success or failure of Restore SD, and I was approaching it from the perspective of the one who wasn’t giving up.”
In the true spirit of Shoutout SoCal, Dr. Gallus takes a moment to recognize others who she feels deserve additional recognition and exposure. Dr. Gallus considers herself to be forever indebted to the network of women she met through her participation in the Women Plastic Surgeons Forum with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. “I joined the steering committee about 10 years ago and have never regretted a minute spent in the company of like-minded women surgeons,” she says. “From this committee I received mentorship in every aspect of my life – from personal work/life balance struggles, owning your own medical practice challenges and how to take on leadership roles in our organization. I still reach out to my colleagues and mentors for advice, as well as offer my experiences and advice to others. Having that camaraderie when you are such a minority (20% of plastic surgeons in the US are women) is invaluable.” Dr. Gallus goes on to add that she is also proud of the growth the Forum has achieved over the years – creating educational content that is tailored to the needs of female plastic surgeons, as well as encouraging representation and leadership within the larger ASPS organization.
Dr. Gallus’ message is applicable to those in the medical field, as well as to anyone striving towards success in any aspect of life. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, artist, or student, her wisdom and advice will inspire you to push yourself to the next level.
At Restore SD Plastic Surgery, Dr. Gallus helps her patients achieve their goals and enhance their natural beauty through state-of-the-art plastic surgery procedures and non-surgical treatments. Her dedication to her craft and her patients is a testament to the principles she discusses in her article.
If you’re looking for motivation and guidance on your own journey to success, read Dr. Gallus’ full article on ShoutOut SoCal. And if you’re in need of a talented and compassionate plastic surgeon in the San Diego area, be sure to check out Restore SD Plastic Surgery.
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