Letter From an Editor: Training for Life Beyond the OR

Dear ACOMS members,

The emergence of that crisp feeling in the morning air reminds us that summer third molar mania is coming to an end for another year. As oral and maxillofacial surgeons, our summers are a hectic balancing act of family obligations, travel, and summer events in the face of our amped-up practices. With so many interests competing for our limited bandwidth, there is often little time left over to focus on ourselves. Now, as the kids head back to school and the leaves change colors (for those of us in the right climate), it is time to reset and consider our priorities.

For me, a balanced and fulfilling life consists of three buckets: family life, professional affairs, and personal achievements. Others may find their equilibrium in other ways, emphasizing faith, service to the community (which I include in my professional affairs category), and other factors. No matter how we choose to set our priorities, we all need to take some time for personal wellness.

Trying Something New

My approach to wellness has morphed significantly over my life. For many years, this took the form of gatherings with friends, “date nights” with my wife without the kids, and similar social activities. While I still value those experiences, my focus has shifted toward athletics. Passing the 40-year mark, a stark reminder of my mortality, inspired me to reach for a new personal goal. After spectating on the sidelines of the Boston Marathon for several years, I decided to throw my hat in the ring as a runner. I signed up for my hospital’s charity running team.

Dr. Resnick running the London Marathon in 2025.

Having never previously run further than 5k, marathon training was intense. What I did not anticipate, though, was the immense sense of accomplishment I experienced each time I moved the needle closer to my goal. I began to crave that sense of accomplishment, similar to the satisfaction of achievement in my educational journey to becoming an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Though my plan to run the Boston Marathon was derailed for two years by a knee injury, subsequent surgery, and recovery, the feeling of crossing that finish line in 2022 will never be forgotten.

Discovering a New Passion

While I originally expected to be a “one and done” marathoner, I found the triumph too fulfilling to abandon. I’m currently training for marathon #4, triathlon #1, and I recently completed an amazing 190-mile charity bike ride. More importantly, I have found an avenue to channel my stress, forget the worries of the day, and bring my life into balance through athletics. Moreover, as running is now “on trend” with the societal push toward a more athletic culture, I have found a wonderful, supportive group of runners to expand my social circle.

Whether through athletics, art, bird watching, singing, reading, or any other activity you enjoy, it is important that we each make time for our own personal wellness. Our “day job” can be stressful and demanding, and a reset in our off time is critical to achieving balance. Our patients will thank us for it!

Cory Resnick, DMD, MD, FACS

Cory Resnick, DMD, MD, FACS

Dr. Resnick is an associate professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine and Harvard Medical School. He practices pediatric oral and craniomaxillofacial surgery at Boston Children’s Hospital with an emphasis on craniofacial anomalies and syndromes, orthognathic (jaw) surgery, management of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea, and the surgical management of temporomandibular joint disorders. Dr. Resnick is the director of clinical operations for the Boston Children’s Hospital multi-disciplinary craniofacial team and the director of the oral and maxillofacial surgery cleft and craniofacial surgery fellowship.

Dr. Resnick earned both his undergraduate and dental degrees from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He then moved to Boston to earn his medical degree at Harvard Medical School and complete an oral and maxillofacial surgery residency program at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Resnick is certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and holds a Certificate of Added Qualification in pediatric craniomaxillofacial surgery. Dr. Resnick is also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

In addition to Dr. Resnick’s busy clinical practice, he is dedicated to innovation and improvement of his field through research and education. Dr. Resnick is the author of over 100 publications and frequently lectures nationally and internationally. He trains a Craniofacial Fellow as well as oral and maxillofacial surgery residents through the Massachusetts General Hospital residency program. He has many ongoing clinical research projects designed to improve treatment and outcomes in several areas of pediatric oral and maxillofacial surgery.