I am kind of like a priest. Doctors of the old school are like that. We don't just have a job; we have a vocation.

I'm 38 years old. I live in New York City and work as an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in joint reconstruction and sports medicine and surgery. There are very few women who share my profession. I was inspired during medical school by my great aunt Loretta after her hip replacement. She was and is a vibrant, active lady. When severe arthritis of the hip sidelined her, she became depressed. We all thought she was going to shut herself in her house and lose her spark. Instead, she underwent total hip replacement and is now continuing to cause trouble all over New York at age 85.

I am single. My sister, a lawyer, is married and has two incredible children. They provide daily entertainment and wonder for us all. My brother is a lawyer who works here in NYC. My father is a cardiothoracic surgeon in practice for more than 40 years.

My dear wonderful mother, Joanne, passed away in December of 2004 from Pancreatic cancer. She was a role model for all of us. She embodied class, warmth, intelligence and was capable of boundless love. All who knew her remember her as a ray of light.

Please enjoy these essays and musings. I have little time to write these days, but enjoy the comments of those who care to read.

To reach my office, please go to http://claudettelajam.com

Photo by Michael Benabib