I'm JT Stranix. I'm a plastic and reconstructive surgeon here at the University of Virginia. We work with all different surgical specialties to help put people back together. I have a particular focus in cancer reconstruction, specifically breast cancer. Every patient experience is different because everyone is their own individual person and we like to tailor the delivery of care to each patient as an individual. People come in different shapes, sizes, personalities. They have different functional levels. They have different goals and outcomes they would like to achieve. When they come to see me, whether they're referred from head and neck surgery, breast surgery, colorectal surgery, orthopedic surgery, vascular surgery, if they are seeking gender confirming surgeries; all of that starts with understanding who they are as an individual person and where they ultimately want to end up with in terms of a functional aesthetic and really
wholesome reconstruction. It is really a privilege to have the opportunity to be a positive conversation in a really difficult situation for patients, whether that's due to a cancer diagnosis or a bad trauma or some other problem where there may not be a lot of answers for. That's something that I take a lot of pride in my ability to deliver that type of care and also is why I keep coming back to work every day because I get to have those positive conversations with patients who are in challenging situations.