THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 31, 1996 TAG: 9603290156
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Phyllis Speidell
LENGTH: Medium: 85 lines
On the way to becoming one of the country's most respected liver transplant surgeons, Dr. Forrest Dodson depended on his ability, some stubborn perseverance and a little luck.
The son of a local oral surgeon, Dodson was raised in Nansemond County and graduated from Nansemond-Suffolk Academy. After receiving his degree from the University of Richmond, Dodson went on to Eastern Virginia Medical School, where he ranked in the top third of his class.
On the day the graduating med students received their matches (acceptances in specialized residency programs), Dodson found himself unmatched and had 24 hours to search for an open program. ``It was a pretty difficult time,'' he remembers. ``But it taught me that you have to make your work speak for itself.''
Dodson found an open program in Youngstown, Ohio. And after besting some stiff competition, he was offered a residency in general surgery there. During his five years in Youngstown, Dodson rotated to the University of Pittsburgh for transplant surgery training and was asked to come back for a transplant fellowship taught by the doctor Dodson considered the top transplant surgeon in the world.
In another stroke of good fortune, Dodson also met his wife in Youngstown.
Now an assistant professor of surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Dodson finds special joy in treating the most difficult transplant cases.
``I couldn't do anything that would make me feel better or more productive,'' he said. ``Going out of your way for the patient makes up for the headaches and hassles of litigation and extra hours.''
He enjoys the cards, letters, photos - and cookies - he receives from former patients and their families. ``One thing about transplant surgery is that it changes your life forever,'' he said. ``You have a real appreciation for life and for the little things.''
Name: S. Forrest Dodson.
Hometown: Born in Danville, Pa., but raised in Nansemond County.
What brought you to Suffolk: Now a Pittsburgh resident, I get back to see my family and friends a couple times a year. (During this visit, Dodson will be addressing the 43rd Annual Clinical Conference of Obici Hospital.)
Occupation: Transplant surgeon specializing in liver, kidney and pancreas transplants on the staff of Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh. Assistant professor of surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
Birthdate: Oct. 23, 1959.
Marital status: Married, two sons, 4 and 6.
Pets: Hamsters only.
Fondest childhood memory: Living near the water, trips to Nags Head, waterskiing and living in a climate where you could play golf year round.
First thing in the morning: Usually I hit the snooze button three or four times.
Favorite book: I read a lot for work but probably have not read a novel since medical school.
Best advice you have ever been given and by whom: Rather than advice, it was the example set by my parents - that hard work will pay off in spite of the fact that life may appear to be unfair.
Favorite food and drink: Seafood and Coke.
Favorite night out on the town: A nice dinner out with my wife.
If you won the lottery, what would you do or buy: I would pay my bills, take my wife shopping, buy a new car, give some money to my family and go back to work.
Last vacation: Skiing in Colorado.
Ideal vacation: Nags Head.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be: I would try to be more patient.
First job: Selling crabs in front of our house.
Worst job: Waterskiing in the ski show at Kings Dominion.
Of what accomplishments are you most proud: Getting the difficult cases through the transplant process for a second start. It requires a lot more time and effort to get someone through who has multiple problems like liver cancer, lung disease, or kidney failure, but those are the ones I am proudest of.
It is taking a risk and putting your neck on the line for the people who will benefit the most because otherwise they would soon die. ILLUSTRATION: AP PHOTO
``I couldn't do anything that would make me feel better or more
productive,'' says transplant surgeon Dr. Forrest Dodson.
by CNB