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CREATIVITY
els of education and training superseded any desire to enrich the
whimsical, artistic side of the brain -- the same side I would later eral Vascular Associates and returned to my hometown. My
learn complemented my career perfectly.
After graduating from medical school at Texas Tech Univer-
sity, I accepted a surgical residency in Chicago. I soon learned
that decision-making in the medical profession does not allow
a lot of room for error. Pursuing a surgical specialty and later a
vascular sub-specialty drove that point home over and over. My
surgical residency taught me precision, and I learned the skill to
visualize actions, two or three steps ahead. The attention to de-
tail brought back memories of my grandfather’s early art lessons.
A true appreciation for the craftsmanship in a surgical career
was brought to light.
Needless to say, the leisure time usually allotted for painting
was rarely available. After completing a surgical residency in
Chicago, followed by a vascular fellowship at the University of
Untitled. Copyright Alfred L. Laborde, MD
Iowa, I accepted a position with my current partners at Periph-
daughter, Veronica, was born in Iowa one month before our
move back to San Antonio. My son, A.J., was born the follow-
ing year.
The inspiration to resume my artistic side didn’t occur until
my children were at an age when their artistic curiosity was
peeking through. Weekend mornings were transformed into a
mix of pancake making and art sessions. I was eager to explore
my children’s unabashed artistic side. My true fascination was
with how 4- and 5-year-olds would convert a blank piece of
paper into a “work of art.” On one hand, my perfectionist
daughter spent more time with the eraser than with the freedom
the blank piece of paper could afford her. My son, on the other
hand, could spend the entire time drawing, coloring and paint-
ing without any regard to artistic rules or regulations. His ses-
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