The Background of "The X-Wing Formation"

You may be wondering where I came up with "The X-Wing Formation". The obvious reason is that it was the attack position of the X-Wing Fighter in the Star Wars movies. But the real reason is that it is also the philosophy of my professional and private life.

In the movie, the X-Wing Fighter cruises along with its wings in the "normal" or "neutral" position but when it is time to "perform" or "attack", it goes into the X-Wing Formation. It is seamless, efficient and a thing of beauty.

Similarly, as an Emergency Medicine physician, I often am cruising along seeing my patients who are mildly to moderately ill when all of a sudden, a critically ill trauma or medical patient arrives who needs me to be at the top of my game and "attack" their severe illness. It is at that time, that I go into "The X-Wing Formation". As cheesy as it sounds, it essentially sums it up. I convey this philosophy to my residents and medical students as I too want them to be ready for anything and everything. When they hear me say, "It's time to go X-Wing", they know that it's getting pretty ugly in the ER!

Similarly, as a human being, I am fairly easy going but when something needs to be done or there is an issue that needs to be resolved, I can go "X-Wing" at a moment's notice. I am by nature a very meticulous, organized and anal retentive person which I've been able to use to my advantage. It at times, drives my wife crazy!

So for those of you who were hoping for some deep meaning or Jedi philosophy...sorry to disappoint you! My thoughts tend not to be that deep.