Dr. Robin's Inner Circle

Members Only Newsletter

A Note from Dr. Robin

Hi there!

When I was a kid, I didn’t have the chance to participate in many sports because my asthma was mostly untreated. I loved playing tennis or ultimate frisbee with friends — they’d slow down for me when I got short of breath — and I spent plenty of time riding my bike, but competitive sports just weren’t an option. Sometimes I wonder if things would have been different if I’d had my asthma under good control earlier; maybe I would have joined the tennis team or even tried lacrosse, which my high school was known for.

So when I did my sports medicine rotation in medical school, I was surprised by how much I loved it. Even though I hadn’t played many of the sports myself, I loved learning how athletes use their bodies, how different injuries happen, and how each sport has its own patterns and risks. Helping athletes — kids, adults, and weekend warriors — return to the activity they loved gave me so much joy. So I continued to learn as much as I could about sports medicine throughout my training and enjoyed continuing that interest in practice as a family physician.

And now, with my son training as a pre-professional ballet dancer, I get to use that knowledge all the time: helping him stay strong, prevent injuries, and navigate recovery when small issues come up. It’s a full-circle moment I never expected, and it reminds me how incredible it is when medicine helps people do what they love.

Dr. Robin

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Roots & Suffixes: ortho- Even doctors come across words they’ve never seen before. Learning roots and suffixes helps you guess smart—so unfamiliar words start to make more sense!

This week’s root is ortho–, which means straight. You’ll see it in words like: orthodontist — straightening teeth orthopedic surgeon — literally "straight children" (see the Ask Dr. Robin section!) orthostatic — standing up straight When bones or joints aren’t lined up the way they should be, orthopedic surgeons help guide them back into the right position so the body can heal safely and strongly.

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What I'm Reading

This week’s pick is Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson, a graphic novel full of color, grit, and heart.

Twelve-year-old Astrid falls in love with roller derby — a sport full of bruises, falls, and scrapes — and learns what it means to be brave, strong, and committed. It’s a story about friendship, identity, and finding something you truly love, even when it isn’t easy.

If your student enjoys graphic novels, sports stories, or characters who grow stronger inside and out, this is a fantastic and empowering read. Get It On Amazon

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Career Corner: Orthopedic Surgery

Orthopedic surgeons care for the bones, joints, and muscles that help us move. They treat broken bones, sports injuries, growth plate problems, and conditions that affect mobility. Orthopedics is all about movement, strength, and restoring function — helping people get back to the activities they love. Download the Career Page

Today's Career Question: If you were an orthopedic surgeon, would you rather fix broken bones right after an accident in the emergency room, or do carefully planned surgeries like knee or spine repairs to help people move better over time? Download the Coloring Page

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Ask Dr. Robin!

Do you have a question about a lesson you're doing? You can write in and ask Dr. Robin!

Question:

How did broken bones heal before there were doctors?

Answer from Dr. Robin:

Humans have always been able to heal broken bones — our bodies do that naturally. But here’s the important part: bones don’t naturally heal straight or in a good position unless they’re held the right way while they heal.

That’s where the word ortho– comes from — it means straight or correct. The first orthopedic surgeons helped children with limb differences to have straight bones. That's why the root words (ortho/straight and ped/children) literally mean straight children. Today orthopedic medicine focuses on all ages and conditions having to do with bones. They help broken bones heal in the right alignment so they stay strong and useful.

What’s amazing is that archaeologists have found healed fractures in the bones of early humans — some of them extremely severe. That means someone took care of those injured people by supporting them, feeding them, protecting them, and helping them survive long enough to heal.

Even without modern casts or surgeons, early humans helped each other heal. And orthopedic surgeons today carry on that same idea — using science to help bones heal well, not just heal.

P.S. Have a question from your lesson or something you’ve always wondered about medicine? Hit reply and ask me! Your question might be featured in a future Ask Dr. Robin.

That's all for this week! Happy Learning!

Questions? Get one-on-one assistance from Nurse Jill Cooper. Reply to this email, schedule office hours with Jill, or text or call 720-257-9030. Business hours are 9-5 M-F MST, closed for school holidays.