Joining the military was a life-changing opportunity. The experiences and training are unmatched and utterly unique to the military experience. People join the military for a plethora of reasons such as commitment to service, dedication to country, specialized training, etc. However, one thing all veterans can agree on is that their training has helped them become better in their careers and personal lives. Dr. Carlos Mata, aka Dr. Scottsdale, reflects on his military training and how it helped him become a more focused and detail-oriented surgeon.
Dr. Scottsdale is known as the premier plastic surgeon in Scottsdale, AZ. Originally from Erie, PA, Dr. Scottsdale graduated with honors from Texas A&M and completed his medical degree with the University of Texas. Before graduating college, Dr. Scottsdale joined the Army. “After I completed my training, I knew there was so much more I could learn,” says Dr. Scottsdale. “The military gave me very intensive training, and opportunities that you cannot get anywhere else.”
Anyone who has ever been in the military understands that it is a commitment like no other. It takes time and dedication that exceed most standards. “I gravitated towards that type of dedication because it develops tremendous focus,” explains Dr. Scottsdale. “You train yourself not to break focus and stay on the task at hand because there is so much going on where you have to give 100%. It’s intense, and it prepared me for the pressures of being a plastic and reconstructive surgeon.”
Now separated from the military and the owner of his practice, Dr. Scottsdale takes that same focus and dedicates it to his patients every day. Plastic surgeons have to understand how to treat everything on the human body, and when the stakes are high, the focus is everything. “Military training helped me become a focused and detail-oriented plastic surgeon understanding so much more about the body”, he explains. “That is why my patients seek me out. They know they are getting the best level of care.”
Dr. Scottsdale knew that going into the military meant that the four-year commitment would change his life and future practice of medicine, but he has no regrets. He believes you can’t rush into a career as a plastic surgeon without being willing to take the time to learn. Dr. Scottsdale knew those years were an investment in not only his future but also his patients’ futures. With a focused and detail-oriented approach to plastic surgery, Dr. Scottsdale continues his work as one of the most renowned surgeons in the country.
