October Physician Spotlight: Eric Jepson, DO

1. Who or what inspired you to become a physician?

For sure my father (Neal Jepson, MD). He was an ophthalmologist who moved to Colorado Springs in 1963. He evolved through several groups in town, eventually developed his own practice, Eye Associates of Colorado Springs.  He was a true physician’s physician.  He was a Very outgoing personality, he liked people, but he was also an excellent physician. I learned a lot from him because he was able to explain things well. He always gave people the time they deserved, which is something difficult to maintain in medicine these days. He always stood by the fact that medicine is a very loyal profession. My dad was an advocate for the profession and becoming a physician. He was proud of what he did and afforded me time with his partners to solicit their feedback. Medicine is different now than it was back then, but it was my dad’s steadfastness that kept me motivated to keep going. No matter what happens within medicine, at the end of the day you know you are doing something good for the community and patients.  It is somewhat selfish because it makes you feel good when you get to take care of people too. Easily, merfather inspired me to do this.

1. Briefly describe a "peak experience" from your career: interaction with a mentor, memorable patient, etc.

I remember at fourteen years old, having to interview someone who had a job I would like to do someday. I still have my handwritten report from interviewing C. Milton Waldron, M.D., Uncle Milty as I called him since he was a close family friend. Uncle Milty is a founding physician of Colorado Springs Orthopedic Group (CSOG).

Fast forward to when I am thirty-five, returning to the community I grew up in and enjoying working at CSOG. That was significant and motivating for me to come full circle, to return to my hometown and practice with Uncle Milty. He was a great mentor and was present for many years. As an emeritus of CSOG, he had seen it all and was great to bounce things off of. I have lots of great patients and outcomes, but nothing has been more meaningful than coming to practice with Uncle Milty.

1. What led you to become involved in El Paso County Medical Society leadership?

I wanted to be involved before I became a physician as I learned about the engagement from my dad and Dr. Waldron. It was natural since I grew up in Colorado Springs, to want to be involved with EPCMS when I returned to practice.

I also believe EPCMS is important for the physicians in the community. If community physicians were surveyed, I speculate they would not feel connected to other physicians. It is a big town and not everyone is getting together. EPCMS is a way for everyone to still have connectedness and I think that is really important.

1. What advice would you give to physicians-in-training who are just starting their careers?

Never go down alone; otherwise known as, always asking for help.

Always ask those with more experience than you for help. One of the fatal flaws coming out of training is that you know more than you ever will know again about your subject, but you know very little about the practicalities of practicing medicine and working with people. Some of that overconfidence does not translate well to practice. Reach out to others to create an environment of learning. One thing we do in my subspecialty of hip/knee replacement is that we try to gather once a month for an x-ray conference, reviewing challenging cases. We ask “What would you do in this situation?” I think that is invaluable when you have more experienced partners, like Milton Waldron, M.D. or Theodore Stringer, M.D., who just retired after 42 years of practice. That wealth of knowledge is invaluable. It is important to reach out to those with more practical experiences. Learning the intricacies of practicing medicine is every bit as important as what you did learn about your specialty.

1. What do you enjoy doing outside of medicine?

Exercise is my number one thing, it is my “Prozac.” Second is my family, my two girls and beautiful wife. I spend as much time with them as I can.  I have tried to prioritize my own personal well-being for several years. Finding time outside work to do things you enjoy and disconnect from the practice of medicine has been extremely helpful.