‘Settled’ by Nature

Muse

Inspiration from outside medicine

Dr. Nicole Goulet
Photo: Michael Marquand

Dr. Nicole Goulet

Assistant Professor of Surgery

Dr. Nicole Goulet is a trauma and critical care surgeon. A lifelong athlete and outdoor enthusiast, she hikes locally, in national parks and around the world. Next up: a rim-to-rim hike of the Grand Canyon.

It wasn’t until the beginning of the pandemic, when we were all garbed up, and I was really craving getting outside, touching nature, that I started hiking more regularly. That first time I went out hiking after a very long time of working in the hospital, I literally felt the tree bark, and it really settled me and made me feel like a person again.

On hikes, and especially with backpacking, there’s the surgeon part of me that’s always going to be prepared: Just like I prepare for operations, I prepare for any type of situation that I might encounter in the wilderness.

I’m not exactly off the grid when I go for day hikes in the New York City area, but turning off my phone, or at least putting it on airplane mode and taking it all in is very relaxing. Obviously hard work as well, but you are in touch with your body, and I just really enjoy that. It’s very freeing.

It’s important to find something that balances life in the hospital. There are always things to do, but you’re never going to strike that balance if you don’t commit to setting the time aside.

Summer 2025 Front to Back

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    Dr. Nicole Goulet is a trauma and critical care surgeon who finds inspiration from being a lifelong athlete and outdoor enthusiast.
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