When she’s not caring for patients, Dr. Jessica Katzer loves exploring new places, enjoying her favorite activities, and finding inspiration in the stories her patients share every day. In her “What Moves Me” Q&A, she gives us a glimpse into life beyond the clinic — and the passions that fuel her work.
Name: Jessica Katzer
Years in Practice: This is my first year! I just graduated residency in June.
Hometown and State: Baldwin City, Kansas
Favorite quote: “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”
Favorite book or movie and why: My favorite movie is RV with Robin Williams because it reminds me of camping trips with my family growing up and all the funny memories which accompany those countless adventures. It’s one of the few movies I can watch again and again and it still makes me laugh every time.
How do you like to spend your weekends? Exploring. Usually short day trips to nearby towns/parks/trails to hike, bike or see the sights. Followed by an early dinner at a local brewpub or Mexican restaurant.
What are your interests/activities outside of work? Hiking, biking, camping, traveling, trying new breweries with my fiancé.
Where would you most like to travel but have never been? Zermatt, Switzerland
Name one person you would like to meet and why? Tia Toomey. She is an Australian weightlifter and CrossFit athlete. She holds 8 Crossfit World titles and qualified for weightlifting at the Olympics. Her work ethic, discipline and consistency in order to, not only be successful, but also dominate at that level is very inspiring.
What made you decide to become a doctor and specifically a podiatric surgeon? When I was younger, my dad would tell me about interesting cases he saw at work as an optometrist in the Indian health service . I enjoyed listening and learning about these pathologies and knew I eventually wanted to work in medical field.
After undergrad, my uncle introduced me to the specialty of podiatry and after learning about the field, I knew it was a good fit. I am able to establish relationships with patients as we work to diagnose and treat their foot or ankle problems. Assisting patients in returning to mobility, whether through conservative or surgical management, is incredibly rewarding.
What do you like best about practicing medicine? I like the variety and constant challenge. My weeks are a mix of wound care, clinic and surgery. Days are a mix of different patients and different pathologies. And no patient or pathology is exactly the same.
What inspires you most about your patients? People often underestimate foot and ankle problems until it happens to them. You use your feet every step of every day. Patients’ ability to adapt to the challenges of altering their mobility during their recovery process requires sacrifice and resilience.
If there is one piece of advice you wish your patients would take to heart, what would it be? To remember that diagnosis and treatment is often a journey that the physician and patient take together and rarely a one time experience.
Dr. Katzer, ORA Orthopedics
