Written by Bloom Magazine
Rahul V. Deshmukh, MD is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon at SouthEast Orthopedic Specialists
What is your medical specialty? I am a board-certified, triple fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon with a specialty focus in Sports Medicine and Joint Replacement.
How many years have you been practicing in your field? I have been practicing orthopedic surgery for 20 years.
What inspired you to specialize in your field of expertise? I love that as an orthopedic surgeon, my patients can see immediate results and a dramatic improvement in their quality of life. From a young age, I was fascinated by the intricacies of the musculoskeletal system and its impact on a person's overall well-being. The ability to restore mobility quickly and alleviate pain through surgical interventions motivated me to pursue a career in orthopedic surgery.
Which medical school did you attend? I attended Harvard Medical School and the Harvard Combined Orthopedic Residency Program.
What is an interesting fact about you that most people don't know? I both flew and jumped out of planes before graduating from high school.
What inspires and motivates you every day to improve and excel in your work? The opportunity to positively impact the lives of my patients and help them regain their quality of life is what inspires me every day. Witnessing their journey from injury to recovery is incredibly rewarding and serves as a constant motivation to improve my skills and knowledge.
Share a defining moment in your life that influenced your decision to become a doctor. At the dinner table growing up, I was able to witness firsthand, through my parents, the gratitude that comes from helping and serving others. They would tell us stories at the dinner table. Although I pursued other interests in engineering and law, these stories always stayed in the back of my mind and influenced me to seek a medical career myself.
What do you find most rewarding about practicing medicine, particularly in the context of workers' compensation? It’s the ability to help individuals who have experienced work-related injuries regain their functionality and return to work. Seeing the positive impact of my interventions on their quality of life and livelihoods is incredibly fulfilling.
What guiding philosophy do you follow when treating injured workers?
My guiding philosophy when treating injured workers is to provide comprehensive and patient-centered care. I believe in taking a multidisciplinary approach, working closely with other healthcare professionals, employers, and insurers to ensure optimal outcomes and facilitate a smooth return to work process.
What is the preferred method of contact for adjusters, nurses, or employers seeking to reach you and your staff?
We have a dedicated work comp contact center to assist in the care management of injured workers Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm. To authorize care and initiate treatment, you can reach the contact center team at 904.394.2494 or email us at WorkComp@se-ortho.com.
