“Where there was nothing before, now there was structure and
function and a way to evaluate residents more effectively. We
weren’t just giving them a thumbs up or a thumbs down but we
were actually drilling down into their weaknesses and strengths,
providing a mechanism for feedback so they really got something
out of a rotation.”
Combat deployments for Dr. Deveaux regularly interrupted the
residency program build-up, which took three years to effectively put in place. But it remains to this day. “I wanted to leave my
mark and build something of value. This program didn’t exist and
I thought it was worth something.”
It was just last year when Dr. Deveaux was led back to Louisville, prompted in part by his wife. “After six deployments, she
said, “You have to make a decision. Are you going to stay in the
Army forever?’”
It was then Dr. Deveaux contacted U of L Surgeon Dr. Susan
Galandiuk, his mentor during his fellowship nearly ten years earlier. She offered him a job and Dr. Deveaux moved to Louisville
with his wife and four boys, two of which are adopted.
“I’d like to adopt two girls as well, but we’re stretched thin at the
moment,” he explained. “Over the arch of my life, I kept jumping
around. But that doesn’t happen anymore. I’ve got family. I want to
put down roots and really build something of value here.”
time we got multiple casualties in Afghanistan, there were only
three surgeons. You’re kind of looking at each other saying, Well,
now what do we do? ” he explained.
For right now though, the military life is a distant rumble. “My
wife says I have no friends, no hobbies and no vices, but when you
think about it, I have a great job and I have a great family,” said Dr.
Deveaux.
When he isn’t working, Dr. Deveaux spends time with his wife
and raises his sons. With one in Boy Scouts, one in marching band
and one in football, there is little time to rest. Despite his other
commitments, Dr. Deveaux is reaching out to other organizations
including the Crohn’s Colitis Foundation, and he’s interested in
starting a military medical student interest group for students fo