Timothy Fitzgibbons, M.D., first experienced the field of medicine while working as a hospital orderly in high school. During the time he spent working at the hospital and hanging out with the med students, he knew what he wanted to become: a physician.
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Timothy Fitzgibbons, M.D. |
“I fell in love with the profession and I knew that’s what I wanted to do,” said Dr. Fitzgibbons, who specializes in orthopaedic foot and ankle problems.
A volunteer faculty member in the UNMC College of Medicine since 1991, Dr. Fitzgibbons was awarded the college’s Volunteer Faculty Member of the Month award for March.
“Dr. Fitzgibbons’ enthusiasm of the orthopaedic specialty of foot and ankle is contagious,” said nominator Kevin Garvin, M.D., chairman of orthopaedic surgery. “He has been a role model for, and mentored three of our residents who have gone on to complete foot and ankle fellowships. Furthermore, he has played a vital role in our
orthopaedic residency training program.”
Dr. Fitzgibbons’ father was a physician and six of his siblings also became doctors. His daughter is preparing to become a doctor; she soon will begin her third year of medical school.
“It’s kind of in our blood,” he said.
A 1973 graduate of the Creighton University School of Medicine, Dr. Fitzgibbons main practice is located at Bergan Mercy. His penchant for the profession led him to become involved with the combined Creighton and UNMC orthopaedic residency program more than 25 years ago. He was assigned to supervise the orthopaedic foot and ankle portion of the residency program.
Although he wishes that he could have more time to spend with each of his patients, he knows he is still able to make a difference in their lives.
“Every day there’s at least one patient where you significantly change their lives, and that’s very gratifying,” he said.
In addition to his teaching and patient care responsibilities; Dr. Fitzgibbons also contributes significantly to medical literature. He has written 22 scientific articles and 11 book chapters.
Dr. Fitzgibbons said he loves teaching residents because it makes him a better doctor. “The residents especially know the orthopaedic literature,” Dr. Fitzgibbons said. “You can’t fool them. You learn from them as much as they learn from you. People always ask me ‘Why do you do it (teach residents)?’ I do it because I love it.”