Surgical Hot Topics

#166 S4: The Third Space - Managing the Transition from Work to Home

It's not what you do — it's what you do in-between what you do — that really matters. In this episode of The Resilient Surgeon, Dr. Michael Maddaus talks with Dr. Adam Fraser, leading educator and researcher on human performance and author of The Third Space: Using Life's Little Transitions to Find Balance and Happiness, about transitioning from one role, such as a surgeon, to the next role, such as a spouse or parent. Dr. Fraser explains, "We carry our mindset and emotional state from one of these activities to the next -- and all too often this has negative, occasionally disastrous consequences." Learn how to get the small stuff right and mentally "show up" for whatever comes next. 

#165 S4: Overcoming Friction in Your Work and Your Life

Healthcare - and life- are filled with friction. In this episode, Dr. Michael Maddaus talks with Huggy Rao, co-author of The Friction Project: How Smart Leaders Make the Right Things Easier, about eliminating the forces that make it harder to get things done.

#164, S4: The Science of Failing Well

Harvard Business School professor and researcher of psychological safety, Amy Edmondson, explains the difference between good and bad failures and how to think about and practice failure wisely.  She shares examples of how people and organizations can embrace human fallibility, pursue smart risks, and prevent avoidable harm.

#163, S4: What We Learn From Boredom

According to James Danckert, professor of psychology at the University of Waterloo and co-author of Out Of My Skull: The Psychology of Boredom, “Boredom feels uncomfortable because it is pushing you to be the person that’s in control, to acknowledge that you’re the author of your own life." In this first episode of season four of The Resilient Surgeon, Dr. Michael Maddaus speaks with Danckert about the purpose of boredom and how it can help us find meaning in our lives.

#159; S4: Same Surgeon, Different Light w/ Dr. Stephanie Fuller

In this season finale episode of Same Surgeon, Different Light, host Dr. Thomas Varghese speaks with Dr. Stephanie Fuller, attending surgeon in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. and chair of the STS Workforce on Annual Meeting, about creating a life of impact. For Dr. Fuller, it's about positioning oneself to be open to opportunities - both the expected and unexpected. "Lessons will come from all sorts of people along your pathway. Be receptive to anybody who is willing to each  you," she advises. "You don't want to look back one day and regret not fully taking advantage of learning opportunities and the relationships you've fostered over the years."

She also shares a glimpse into exciting plans underway for the 2025 STS Annual Meeting 

#158; S4: Same Surgeon, Different Light w/ Dr. Isabelle Opitz

Isabelle Opitz, MD, is the director of the Department of Thoracic Surgery at University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland, and an associate professor for thoracic surgery at the University of Zurich, as well as the chair of the Lung Cancer Center in Zurich. In this episode of Same Surgeon, Different Light, Dr. Opitz talks with Dr. Thomas Varghese about her international career path, spanning Germany, France, and Switzerland, where she now resides. She explains how career journeys in Europe differ from the US, especially for women, and how the healthcare system overseas is striving for greater diversity and inclusion in the workplace. 

#157; S4: Same Surgeon, Different Light w/ Dr. Yolonda Colson

In this episode, Dr. Thomas Varghese joins Dr. Yolonda Colson, chief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital and professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School, in an insightful conversation on the advancement of women into key leadership roles and why that is still lacking today in the cardiothoracic surgery specialty. Dr. Olson shares her origin story - "from farm to the CT surgery field" - as an accomplished surgeon and scientist. Her advice on becoming a consistently high performer? "Stay focused on your purpose and not just the result. And stay open to new opportunities." 

#156; S4: Same Surgeon, Different Light w/ Dr. DuyKhanh (Mimi) Ceppa

In this episode of The Same Surgeon, Different Light, podcast host Dr. Thomas Varghese explores the opportunities, the rewards, the sacrifice, and the struggles in life as a cardiothoracic surgeon with Dr. Mimi Ceppa, a thoracic surgeon at the Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Ceppa shares her family's journey as immigrants from Vietnam to Canada, the expectations placed on her to become a doctor, and how she balances her career and her personal life. No doubt, it's a "can't miss" episode. 

#155; S4: Same Surgeon, Different Light w/ Drs. Ikenna Okereke and Mark Henderson

In this episode of Same Surgeon, Different Light, your host, Dr. David T. Cooke, talks with Dr. Ikenna Okereke, vice chair of the department of surgery at Henry Ford Health, and Dr. Mark Henderson, professor of medicine and vice chair of education at UC Davis Health, about the role of education in medical workforce diversity. Together, they address the need for an intentional, progressive approach to creating a more inclusive workforce and the significant impact diversity within the field has on decreasing healthcare inequalities, boosting workforce engagement and retention, and providing support for underrepresented communities. "Diversity brings improved results," said Dr. Okereke. "When a workforce is more representative, we reduce mistrust and improve access in marginalized communities."

#154, S4: Same Surgeon, Different Light w/Dr. Mara Antonoff

In this episode of Same Surgeon, Different Light, host Dr. Thomas Varghese chats with Dr. Mara Antonoff, associate professor and program director of education, thoracic and cardiovascular surgery at MD Anderson Cancer Center, about the origins of her career. Dr. Antonoff shares what it takes to be a leader in thoracic education, what she learned about the importance of independent and deliberate practice as a competitive figure skater, and the power of resilience from her parents who “made do with very minimum resources.” Dr. Antonoff remembers, “My parents worked hard to ensure we had opportunities to get the education we needed to become successful members of the community.”