A medical practitioner in Fort Worth, Texas, Therese M. Duane, MD, MBA provides patients with knowledgeable care in a welcoming and compassionate setting. Her areas of focus include trauma, general surgery, and surgical critical care. From 2002 to 2014, she served in roles including professor of surgery and infection control chair at Virginia Commonwealth University. Beginning as an assistant professor, Therese M. Duane, MD, earned full professorship in 2012. She also took on a role as the first vice-chair responsible for quality and safety in the department of surgery.
Dr. Duane next accepted responsibilities as the JPS Health Network, where she served as the first medical director of acute care surgery and trauma research. This position reflected a partnership between JPS in Fort Worth and Texas Health Care. She ultimately took a position as chief of the department of surgery and specialties.
Dr. Duane’s professional experience includes a past role as a professor of surgery at Texas Christian University. She also served as Texas Health Resources’ academic chair for surgery, earning the Shield Award in 2022. Active in the broader health care community, she has served as quality pillar lead with the American College of Surgeons Board Governors and as committee chair with the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day always starts with exercise, which gives me an extra boost of energy, and is followed by prayer. These two things center me and help me stay organized and efficient.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Usually by identifying a challenge and trying to figure out how to fix it. Or, I try to identify a better way of doing something. Classic trial and error.
What’s one trend that excites you?
An increase in adoration at church. It encourages more focus on Jesus Christ in the sacrament.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Morning exercise.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Slow down and be humble.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
At home- keeping the counters clear!!!
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Exercise and pray.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
Work on puzzles, read, and pray.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Hiring folks who are committed to the mission and then listening to their ideas and feedback.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
I allowed myself to be overworked and suffered a severe moral injury, losing focus on what was truly important- my family and my time. I lost my position and suffered severe media scrutiny, destroying my professional career through false allegations. I had to pray and accept what I could have and should have done differently, and then let go of the rest. I eventually came to realize that the environment was toxic, and God pulled me out of it for my own good. Now I have more time with my family and can do the mission work I always wanted to do.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Email. I am very basic.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens. It teaches the value of the father-daughter relationship, which was not respected in Victorian times.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Murdoch Mysteries. It is relatively clean, good humored, and intelligent… and I can watch it with my children.
Key learnings
- Don’t try and do everything alone. Ask for help and recognize your shortcomings.
- The more you give in life, the more you will receive, whether on earth or in Heaven.
- Show grace and kindness to everyone without expecting anything in return.
- Do not let your work define you.
- In the end, time with loved ones is more precious than anything we can ever accomplish at work – make sure your loved ones know how much you care.