Dr. Bradley Bakotic is a board-certified dermatopathologist who has built a decades-long career as a physician, nonprofit executive, and business leader. Currently serving in a temporary role at Southern Ohio Medical Center, he previously lived in Texas, where he helped to care for patients at practices in Arlington and Denison. Dr. Bradley Bakotic brings to his patient-care responsibilities a level of expertise reflected in his extensive academic and professional credentials.
Those credentials include a bachelor of science, a master’s degree in biomedical sciences, and a doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM) from Barry University. A high-achieving student, he completed his DPM as the valedictorian of his class. After finishing his studies at Barry University, he relocated to Maine, where he earned a doctor of osteopathy (DO) with cum laude distinction from the University of New England.
Dr. Bradley Bakotic’s postgraduate training saw him undertake his internship and residency at the Baystate Medical Center Department of Pathology on the Springfield, Massachusetts, campus of Tufts University Medical School. He followed that up with a second residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Florida, where he earned distinction as chief pathology resident. Dr. Bakotic continued his postgraduate training with a fellowship in oncologic surgical pathology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and a fellowship in dermatopathology at the Ackerman Academy of Dermatology. At the latter, he again distinguished himself by being named chief fellow.
Dr. Bradley Bakotic is the only podiatrist in the United States who, in addition to dermatopathology, is also board-certified in anatomic pathology and clinical pathology. A member of more than a half-dozen medical organizations, he is a fellow of the College of American Pathologists, the American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management, and the Academy of Physicians in Wound Healing.
Outside of his clinical career, Dr. Bradley Bakotic has shown a commitment to giving back to his field. As the CEO of the Rhett Foundation for the Advancement of Podiatric Medical Education, he has led efforts to educate physicians on dermatologic issues related to the lower extremities of the body. Under his direction, the Rhett Foundation has supported research, publications, and internet-based resident education in podiatric dermatology.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
The most productive part of my day is the early morning. On a perfect day, I rise early (roughly 5:30am), join my wife for a cup of coffee, hop on my lifecycle for a while, and then attend to my remaining day. The easiest way for me to make my life productive is by maintaining the positive and curious attitude, which most of us have during our younger years. Reclining back and drifting is, in my view, a recipe for personal decline.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Take a deep breath, relax, and do something you truly love. For me it’s physical exercise or music (guitar / drums). I am a goal driven person to a fault, however, I try to enjoy these endeavors strictly for their intrinsic pleasure, and in the case of music, to stem creativity.
What’s one trend that excites you?
In the 90’s, during my medical residency in Miami Beach, FL, the South Beach Diet became all the rage. At this time, various ideas regarding have come and gone with the mediterranian seemingly emerging first amongst the long line of contenders. I not obsessive with regard to my diet, though I certainly trend toward healthier options. In this context, the trend that I am most excited about currently, are those that reduce processed/ultra-processed foods, toxic dyes, and other dangerous constituents from our food supply at large. I is shocking that we’ve allowed our population to ingest such items for so long.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Positive thinking. All persons have bad moments; we simply can’t dwell in them.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Have faith in yourself, even after your early successes. Ultimately, you will likely need to bring on persons with specific areas of expertise to help your move forward, but don’t relinquish your ability to lead, unless you want to walk away.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
Painful question!!! Too many to mention! I think foremost it might be my love of Croc shoes! I know no one under the age of 20 who will wear them.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
I don’t meditate, though I did earlier in my life; however, I believe that I find a comparable experience in music. I think all persons would benefit from finding their own medium for ground mental peace.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I leave whatever it is that I am trying to focus on and take a mental minute somewhere entirely unrelated, then return in a better state of mind.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
For me there are two prongs on this fork. The first related to doing something you enjoy. If you are not happy doing what you are sacrificing for, then I truly don’t know how anyone could be successful. Secondly, as already eluded to, is sacrifice. These two prongs are snugly tied together. If we don’t like what we do, we are unlikely to be happy sacrificing to work diligently at it.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
I put myself in a situation within which I stopped enjoying my job. I lost confidence and made decisions that would be appropriate for some, but were not good for me. To remedy this, I took my own advice. I backed off, took a deep breath, and started anew with a refreshed attitude.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Keep it simple. Look for something that your target needs, improve yet more upon it, and then look at the environment around you. If you are the only person offering your widget, and it is beneficial, jump in with both feet.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I love marketing. There are too many great software programs to mention, but as an old school person Adobe Photoshop and Corel, these would be first in line.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
I’m a history buff. In fact, I actually began my undergraduate education as a history major. Although I can’t offer a single book as most inspiring; I will confide that I find historically factual books related to the American Revolutionary and Civil Wars incredibly interesting and often inspirational.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Regretfully, I have to admit that it is a tie between “Lioness” and “High Potential”, mainly because my life loves them. I do too, but don’t tell her that.
Key learnings
- The key to a successful career is enjoying what you do, and being willing to sacrifice to make your dreams come to fruition.
- We all feel frustration and make our mistake. Take a moment to reground your thought and then re-engage.
- Have your happy place and don’t neglect it. Whether it’s music, fitness, meditation, or yoga keep that place close to you.