Our Interview With James C. Marotta, MD, FACS

James C. Marotta, MD, FACS is the Founder and Plastic Surgeon of Marotta Plastic Surgery Specialists. Learn more about how our consultants can help you get into medical school today.

What motivated you to pursue a career in medicine?

After college, I applied for a fellowship program in Germany. There I volunteered at a psychiatric hospital, and I felt a true calling to medicine. I felt medicine would be the perfect path to combine my love of science with my desire to impact others and change people's lives for the better.

Did you have any setbacks or rejections during the med school admissions process, and what did you learn from those experiences?

I did not have any setbacks or rejections in the med school application process. I was accepted from a post bacc program at Columbia University to a fast track (skip the lag year) acceptance at SUNY Stony Brook. I had above a 4.0 in my premed classes and a near perfect score on the MCAT. I know it is even more competitive these days and perfect numbers don't guarantee acceptance any more. I have faced rejection in other  spheres in my life and know the only way to counter it is persistence.

If someone wants to start their own practice, what does that path look like after finishing medical school?

If you want to start your own practice that would happen after residency. Starting a medical practice is essentially starting a small business. You need a trusted accountant and attorney. You have to write a business plan. You have to obtain funding, and the SBA is a good source. I would first get a mentor who has done it before and have them advise you through the process.

What advice would you give to someone who’s looking to start their practice today?

Business education is paramount to starting your own practice. You don't need an MBA, but you need to know the basics. Start reading business books. A few classics are "The Accounting Game (Lessons from a Lemonade Stand)" and the Who Method of Hiring. Consult professional organizations like the AMA for resources. Finding a great location is paramount and just like the fast-food restaurants set up shop in an area where other like practices are.

Inspira Advantage is proud to interview experts like James C. Marotta, MD, FACS to help future doctors understand the challenges and rewards of a medical career. Learn more about how our experts can help you get into medical school today.