TODAY'S SPOTLIGHT MICHAEL J. BLACK

Age: 32 Title: Medical doctor. I am a surgical fellow at the Minnesota Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIMIS) at the Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby, Minn. I am also a lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserves. What do you do? As a surgical fellow, I am completing one year of intensive study and training in laparoendoscopic surgery at MIMIS, concentrating on further advancing my minimally invasive surgical skills and learning new minimally invasive techniques. Education: Bachelor's degree in microbiology with minor in chemistry, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse; medical school at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Wauwatosa, and residency at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics in Madison. Family: Wife, Kristin, of eight years; daughters Elizabeth Anna Black, 6, and Julia Aryn Black, 3 Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, biking Previous job: Chief surgical resident at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Other than your current position, what would be your dream job? I would love to be a professional football player. I only lack size, speed and talent. Why do you do what you do? I enjoy meeting patients with problems and being able to fix what is causing their distress. It is very rewarding. How did you choose the line of work you're in? When I started medical school I was convinced that I wouldn't be a surgeon because of the demanding lifestyle. In my third- and fourth-year rotations, however, I saw the positive impact the surgical specialties had on patients and felt the reward of truly helping others in their times of need. I was sold. I went with general surgery, because I loved the caseload and, in my opinion, it seemed the most altruistic of all the surgical specialties. What's something about yourself others are surprised to learn? I'm a bit neurotic. My mother loves to tell of how while in first grade I would come home unhappy with some aspect of my performance in school that day and be convinced I was going to fail. Per her report, she spent many hours trying to convince me that getting one word wrong in our weekly spelling test would not result in failing first grade. Most exciting part of the job: Taking care of trauma patients. The TV shows don't give justice to the adrenaline rush involved when you are in charge of multiple seriously injured victims. Claim to fame: In high school, I pole-vaulted 13 feet 9 inches after learning how to vault by watching videos. I wouldn't recommend this method to others, as it is dangerous. How do you spend your lunch break? Eating as quickly as I can so I can be less late to the next case or clinic. Career advice: Never settle for good enough; if something is worth doing, it's worth doing well. AIMEE BLANCHETTE