Luc is an orthopedic surgeon, his wife Sylvie Gaumond is an anesthetist and their son Louis followed in his father’s footsteps. And yes, there is a cherry on the top sundaebecause the trio of specialists practice in the same operating room.
The love story between Luc and Sylvie was born when they were in full training in an auditorium in Quebec during their internships, what we call medical residency.
Unusually, it was the lower part of the young doctor’s anatomy, dressed in the emblematic white coat like all the future specialists at his side, which caught the eye of his colleague.
“I had worked all night. It was the next day of shift. My brain was no longer there. But, seeing the turquoise shoes [de Luc], I told myself that the guy wearing them stood out from the others, who had brown shoes. Let’s say that my senses have become more alert,” says with a laugh the woman who worked at the Enfant-Jésus hospital at the time.
However, the two lovebirds had to wait before revealing their common flame in broad daylight. “When we were in training together, the boss knew I had an eye [sur Luc]. He nudged us. As a resident, you’re not the one who speaks the loudest. We had to remain discreet,” says Sylvie.
“In those years, there were almost no specialist couples. People said it couldn’t work in disciplines like ours. About 75% of specialist couples divorced.
— Luc Rodrigue
Nearly four decades later, there is no doubt that the anesthesiologist and the orthopedic surgeon have confounded the skeptics.
Work-family balance
Shortly after obtaining their practice licenses, Luc and Sylvie put down roots at the Granby hospital, where they have worked together for several decades. Over the years, the duo found their way through atypical and unpredictable schedules and countless responsibilities. Even the arrival of their two children, Louis and Geneviève, did not slow down their booming career.
Louis Rodrigue takes his son to the same daycare where he spent his days when he was a child. (Stéphane Champagne/La Voix de l’Est)
“We both had to show up several times in the evening to perform emergency surgery on a road accident victim. Our specialties are complementary. We simply left the children in the recovery room,” recalls Luc.
“The staff didn’t say anything,” adds Sylvie. It was teamwork. The door was ajar and we went to see the children from time to time.”
The daycare adjoining the hospital, connected by a tunnel, made family gymnastics easier, Luc concedes. “We would pick up the children at 5:30 a.m., dressed with our kit hospital. And sometimes, the director of the daycare came to bring the children because we had to stay later at the end of the day.”
The tree…and the apple
Among the Rodrigues, the refrain of the metro, work, sleep does not exist. “We have never experienced this, having a weekend off or extended vacation. But, we always found a way to spend quality time together,” says the father.
Far from feeling wronged during his childhood, Louis did not hesitate to follow in his parents’ footsteps.
“I was still born in the room right next to the operating theater in which I work today. I have been familiar with the hospital since I was very young and I have no bad memories. On the contrary, my parents’ passion for their work made me love medicine.”
— Louis Rodrigue
The 34-year-old specialist was notably able to experiment with different disciplines during his internships. Orthopedic surgery particularly appealed to him.
“We often talked about my father’s work at home. When I was younger, I made plasters. I like it because it’s concrete, more manual medicine. If you replace a hip, you see the benefits for the patient right away when they get up. It’s hard to have anything more stimulating.”
Even Geneviève, the youngest of the household, works in the health network as an optometrist.
Complicity
Louis could have practiced in another hospital across the province. He nevertheless decided to prioritize his roots.
“I’m from Granby and I was very happy to come back here. My parents could have decided to retire and our careers would not have overlapped. But, there was a free place, at the right time. And that’s good.”
The complicity is palpable within the trio of specialists. (Stéphane Champagne/La Voix de l’Est)
The trio of specialists have worked together for five years at Granby hospital. The first surgery performed as a family was an unforgettable moment, they say. “Between us, things click as much in the operating room as in everyday life. We have a very good bond,” summarizes Luc.
Besides, there is no shortage of anecdotes. “As we have the same last name, several patients tell me that they didn’t know that my father is also an orthopedist,” says Luc with a broad smile.
“Or a 40-year-old patient who congratulates me on my new child,” continues the friendly surgeon, “while it’s the other Dr. Rodrigue, my son, who is on paternity leave. But hey, I admit that it’s flattering.”
The two Drs Rodrigue also have a common passion for cycling. “Rain weather, bad weather, we travel together all year round by bike to come to work. It’s a bit like our ritual, morning and evening, for four years,” says Louis, his eyes sparkling. Even son Oscar now gets on his horse to follow dad and grandpa to work, before heading to daycare. The same one where his father went when he was a child.
However, will the Rodrigues be in the OR as a family for much longer? “My father retired at 59,” replies Luc. I told myself I was going to beat him to it, but no. One thing is certain, I won’t leave here has-been. I like what I do. My happiness is everyday. Every morning on my bike, I come across a fork. For the moment, I like the one that leads to the hospital. One day, I will choose the one that leads to adventure.”
