As you all know, my daughter Katy had a hip replacement 3 weeks ago. (Her recovery is going great!) The story I want to tell you is about how she found her surgeon.

We discovered in October of last year that this surgery would most likely be required by Katy’s primary care physician, and she recommended that Katy get a second opinion. We found the first surgeon through a referral. He confirmed that she would have to have a replacement, but he didn’t perform that type of surgery.

We made an appointment with Surgeon #2. When we arrived at his office, they had no record of her having an appointment. We were told that we could re-schedule in 8 weeks.

Surgeon #3: we were told to go to one location by a scheduler. When we arrived, we were told that the doctor didn’t work at that location on that day, but we could call back and re-schedule for 4-5 weeks out.

Katy called 4 more surgeons. 3 never called her back. 1 called back but had no openings.

(Does this sound like your hiring process???)

Finally, Katy called Surgeon #8, Dr. Nicholas Ting. He had a cancellation the next day at 2:45. Would we like to come in? Why, yes. Yes, we would.

Dr. Ting was on time. He was kind, thorough, patient, and knowledgeable. He called Katy by name and asked her about her college classes. He answered all of her questions, and though I am positive he has a very tight schedule, Katy felt like he had all day for her. He had a text message service that provided updates and tips on a great recovery. On the day of the surgery, he came to visit her before the surgery. He explained how everything would go. He came to the waiting room to talk with me after it was over. He visited her at the hospital at 7:30 pm that night to see how she was, and 5 days post-surgery he PERSONALLY called her to “check in”.

Katy has had 5 surgeries. He was by far the single best doctor we have ever encountered.

Waiting for the right candidate to come along takes patience and discipline. It isn’t easy. You think it is NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN.

But, if you wait, that person will walk into your life and change it. I promise.