‘Life’s too short to be miserable.’ The simple advice that shaped a son’s medical journey

Long before becoming an orthopedic surgeon, M. Sean O’Brien, DO, was a self-described country boy from Oklahoma who knew nothing about medicine. Before his eventual path towards becoming an osteopathic physician, Sean had every intention of becoming a veterinarian. That all changed after a basketball-related knee injury.

As it happens, the orthopedic surgeon who performed Sean’s knee surgery was a DO, a distinction that he was unfamiliar with at the time.

“At the time, I thought he was a DO because he was a doctor of orthopedic. I didn’t know the difference,” Sean says. “That was my introduction to osteopathic medicine. I had a great experience. Such a great experience, I thought, ‘Wow, that’s the coolest job in the world, and that’s what I’m going to do.’”

Staying close to his roots, Sean applied to the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (OSU-COM), which allowed him to pursue orthopedics, or what he considers the most incredible job there is.

Now, decades later, that fateful knee injury has paved the way for the second generation of O’Brien physicians, this time, luckily, sans mishap. In May, Sean’s son walked across that same OSU-COM stage and officially joined his dad in the DO ranks.

A front-row seat

Today, Cameron O’Brien, DO, is stepping into a significantly different medical landscape than his father entered decades ago. The osteopathic medical profession has seen exponential expansion over the years, rapidly becoming one of the fastest-growing segments in healthcare, and the OSU-COM campus reflects that massive growth.

“When I was [at OSU-COM], it was basically one building. Now, there are five buildings with incredible technology that is utilized to train students,” Sean says. “It’s phenomenal what they’ve done there. It’s just a magnificent campus now.”

But long before Cameron ever stepped onto that modernized campus as a medical student, he was already familiar with the lifestyle. Unlike his dad’s sudden twist of fate, Cameron O’Brien, DO, grew up with a front-row seat to the osteopathic medical profession. Cameron says he always wanted to pursue medicine, citing his dad’s inspiration and encouragement.

“One of the most important things he’s taught me throughout my life is how to persevere when things are hard,” Cameron says. “He instilled that in me at a pretty young age.”

Surviving the journey

That perseverance was put to the test during Cameron’s fourth year of medical school, when audition rotations kept him away from home for five months, even taking him as far as Pennsylvania, a 20-hour drive away. This long stretch of travel meant months spent isolated from his primary support system.

“It was hard not having the support I typically do. I had to FaceTime my wife and call my parents instead of just being able to drive the hour to see them,” Cameron says.

However, those challenging five months ultimately provided him with a sense of clarity. While Cameron initially considered pursuing orthopedics like his dad, his clinical rotations opened his eyes to a different calling: family medicine.

After hearing rave reviews from friends about a standout program in Durant, Oklahoma, he applied and ultimately accepted a position within the residency. He will soon be heading there to begin his three-year training, followed by the opportunity for a fellowship. For the fellowship, he’s currently considering sports medicine.

Sean says his son’s choice to pursue a fulfilling path in primary care perfectly mirrors the advice he’s shared with countless trainees over the years: Life’s too short to be miserable.

“The most important thing is to enjoy what you do. Life’s so short, so do something that makes you happy,” Sean says. “It’s not about how much money you can make; it’s about how much you can help people and how much you can enjoy your life.”

And he certainly practices what he preaches. At 58, Sean says he’s still doing what he loves: orthopedic surgery. Every week, patients ask him when he’s going to retire, and every week he tells them he can’t see himself hanging up his white coat.

“I love what I do. As long as I can take good care of patients and enjoy what I do, I’m going to continue working,” Sean says. “What I see in my future is continuing to work, and watch my son pursue his own career. And who knows? Maybe we end up working together one day.”

Mentorship, marathons & metaphors

Outside of office hours, the pair enjoy running together. Sean says that none of his four children initially had any interest in running, but within the past few years, Cameron has laced up his shoes and started joining his dad on his runs.

“We’ve run several half marathons together. Last year, Cameron ran a full marathon, and did it again this year. I’ve run 12 or 13 full marathons myself,” Sean says. “So when he talks about persevering and grinding it out, he’s really experienced that in more than one way.”

Sharing a love for long-distance running is a perfect metaphor for the parallel paths they’ve taken in medicine. For Sean, watching his son continue his own journey has been the ultimate reward.

Despite it being 20-plus years since he was in osteopathic medical school himself,  Sean says being able to relive those experiences while Cameron was in school was “the coolest thing ever.” The father-son duo have always had a great relationship, but walking the same path has brought them closer than ever.

“When Cameron told me he wanted to pursue osteopathic medicine, it was one of my happiest days. I believe in osteopathic medicine. It’s provided so much for me and my family,” Sean says. “I’ve told all of my kids that I don’t care what they do, as long as they’re happy.”

For Cameron, the emphasis on happiness and fulfillment is exactly what made his father such an effective guide. As he steps into his residency and begins to forge his own legacy, he carries with him his father’s philosophies and genuine love for his career.

“It’s been great having him as a role model and mentor, guiding me through everything. He’s always been there to help me. He has been such a great example through everything,” Cameron shares. “I’ve met so many doctors working at different hospitals who tell me how much they admire my dad and loved working with him. Seeing how he’s treated others has set the standard for the kind of physician I want to be. He’s made so many lives easier and better.”

Other stories in this series:

How a New York emigre program laid the groundwork for a global health platform

A shared tenacity: The father-son duo practicing whole-person care under the same roof

All in the family: How 3 DOs are keeping a multi-generation legacy alive