June 18, 2021
Meet Marschall Berkes
Trauma Surgeon
Dr. Berkes specializes in the nonoperative and operative management of acute fractures and dislocations of the upper and lower extremities as well as fractures that fail to heal (nonunions).
Learn more in our Q&A with Dr. Berkes below.
Where are you from?
I’m originally from Webster NY, just outside Rochester. Through medical training and serving in the United States Air Force, I’ve had the opportunity to live in a bunch of places like Ithaca, Nashville, Manhattan, Germany and Houston...and now St Louis.
What made you choose orthopedics as a specialty?
Orthopaedic surgery is the ideal crossroads of anatomy, mechanics, teamwork and problem solving. What more could you ask for? As far as how I became interested in trauma, I would say there is nothing more satisfying than taking something broken and making it as perfect as possible. Also, fracture care is based on very simple principles which can be applied in any number of ways in each unique case, which allows for a lot of creativity.
What brought you to Washington University Orthopedics?
Dr. Anna Miller was my senior resident at HSS and we stayed in touch over the years and she certainly had something to do with it. This place has everything to offer in a career in academic orthopaedics and it was pretty much a no-brainer.
Trauma as a specialty can be very intense. How do you keep your cool at the hospital and in the OR?
First of all, I’m guilty of using colorful language from time to time. Aside from that, though, a timely sense of humor and a choice playlist works well (rotating a full spectrum, including Migos, Jake Owen, Bob Seger, lady Gaga, Chemical Brothers, Avici). Also, it's good to savor the small victories.
What aspect of your practice do you find most interesting or rewarding?
I love to develop a good preoperative plan for any case, but I really get into the complex cases. Considering all the options, pitfalls, sequences and patient factors in order to come up with a plan for success is fun, interesting and rewarding when it works, and really educational when it doesn’t go as planned.
Anything new on the horizon for ortho trauma patient care?
We are always looking to advance techniques that allow for earlier weight bearing and restoration of function, particularly in older patients. There is promising new data supporting the use of nail-plate combinations for injuries like distal femur fractures with full immediate weight bearing. Otherwise, we have started a new study spearheaded by our excellent fellow, Erin Hofer, comparing the efficacy of preoperative and postoperative nerve blocks in ankle surgery.
What’s the best advice you ever received?
Obviously my parents have given me priceless advice throughout the years, but perhaps the most memorable piece of advice I ever received was from my mentor in residency. After a particularly challenging day in the OR, I was headed out the hospital and he told me “When you walk home tonight, tell yourself 'you stink!'” That probably sounds terrible and might not fly in 2021, but what I took it to mean was don’t settle, reflect on your experiences, be self critical and always try to get better. I still hear him in my head at the end of most days, and I love that because every day is a challenge and tomorrow is another opportunity to get better.
What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
Spending time with my wife, Megan, and kids, Connor and Maggie, are top of the list. Also traveling to new places, fishing, golfing, hiking, spending time good friends and drinking quality wine. If I can combine some or all of those, that’s a good day.
If you weren’t a doctor, what would you like to be doing for work?
I'd like to be a wine maker. I love trying all sorts of wine, especially with good friends and family, but Bordeaux is what got me into wine and an aged classified growth is tough to beat.
Dr. Berkes treats patients at the Center for Advanced Medicine on the Washington University Medical Campus. Learn more about Dr. Berkes, and why patients choose Washington University Orthopedics.