From basketball to surgery: Dr. Craft will see you now
His passion, grit and skills from the court are helping Aaron Craft succeed in his first year of Ohio State’s Otolaryngology Residency Program.
Many know Aaron Craft ’14, ’24 MD as the Hall of Fame basketball player who led the Buckeyes to four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. Others got to know him in labs, lecture halls and clinics when he was in medical school here. These days, those fortunate to be his patients get to know him in a new way—as Dr. Craft, a first-year resident in The Wexner Medical Center’s Otolaryngology Residency Program.
In this second career of sorts for Craft, the former basketball player is translating the practice, dedication and humility he learned on the court to diagnosing, treating and managing conditions of the ear, nose and throat. There’s a surgical focus in the first year of his five-year residency.
“It has involved hard work, humbling experiences, remaining coachable and not being afraid to ask for help,” Craft says. “I keep the patient first in my mind by taking ownership and doing whatever is best for them. This helps me make the most of my training.”
Dr. Brad deSilva ’03 MD, professor and director of the residency program, says Craft’s unique experiences have contributed to him developing rapidly into a skilled clinician and surgeon. “He graduated from medical school with a great level of maturity and understanding of how to work effectively in teams,” deSilva says. “He communicates well with patients, staff and colleagues while relating well with others from different backgrounds.”
Dr. Nolan Seim ’24 MBA, associate professor and a head and neck surgical oncologist at The Wexner Medical Center, agrees. He says Craft jumped right into one of the busiest and top-rated residency training programs in the country, joining an innovative and collaborative team of physicians who are lifted by Craft’s authentic approach to patient care—and his familiar and friendly face, which patients often recognize right away.
“Sometimes, they’ll ask for his autograph or talk basketball during what can be a tough medical situation,” Seim says. “He takes it in stride in an impressively humble manner.”
Craft says he centers his practice on being there for his patients while providing high-quality, compassionate care that helps them live healthy lives. He does this through his ability to dually focus on being dedicated to patients and to his own growth and training.
The intricate and fascinating cases Craft encounters each week build on his skills. He learned to manage uncertainty while playing basketball; today, those deft skills continue to grow as he expands his knowledge of the complexity of the vital structures, anatomy and pathology in the head and neck.
“He’ll treat thousands of patients over his resident career, all while working tirelessly to become the best physician and surgeon he can be,” Seim says.
Says Craft: “I’m humbled and honored to be a part of the otolaryngology field, and I know my time at Ohio State will prepare me to be a contributing member in the advancement of the field.”
