Surgical Hot Topics

Advocacy Highlights for Lung Cancer Awareness Month

As Lung Cancer Awareness Month begins, it's crucial to acknowledge the significant efforts made by STS over the past year to advocate for improved lung cancer outcomes and raise awareness. These initiatives are paving the way for better access to care and education.

One of the key initiatives is the Mobile Lung Cancer Screening Initiative. STS is collaborating with institutions nationwide to help them secure funding and operational support for new mobile lung cancer screening units. These units are designed to enhance patient access to care, particularly in rural and underserved communities, ensuring that more individuals receive timely screenings and potentially life-saving interventions.

#1 S1: 2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer Key Takeaways

In this first episode of Thinking Thoracic, Dr. Erin Gillaspie talks with Dr. Wade Iams about notable takeaways on key clinical trials presented at the 2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer and how these findings will help shape the thoracic surgery landscape.

Giving Credit Matters. Here’s How to Do It.

In this insightful episode, we explore the multifaceted role of surgeons as leaders throughout their careers. From their first day in practice to retirement, surgeons are at the helm of guiding their teams toward common objectives.

Discover how successful leaders not only articulate and emphasize shared goals but also inspire their team members by acknowledging progress and the individuals driving it. Join us as we delve into the dynamics of creating a cohesive and effective team, and discuss whether having a common end goal is truly sufficient for success.

Managing Relationships with Patients

Early career cardiothoracic surgeons face the challenge of managing and developing crucial relationships, particularly with patients. These relationships can be a source of pride and healing or a cause of stress and contempt.

While training provides explicit lessons on technical procedures, guidelines, and publications, it often lacks guidance on how to achieve the best and manage the worst aspects of patient relationships. This episode delves into the complexities of patient interactions and offers insights on navigating these critical dynamics effectively.

#170, S4: A Surgeon's Leadership Journey

Dr. Steven Gerndt is a cardiothoracic surgeon, speaker, and leadership mentor who developed the concept “Civilitas,” a system-wide cultural transformation focused on psychological safety and fostering of leadership by example. In this episode, Dr. Gerndt talks about his work dedicated to helping organizations and people navigate personal crises through counseling, affirmation, and empathy. He shares the critical importance of allowing people in crisis to be heard.

#169 S4: Mastering the Art of Giving and Getting Feedback

In this week’s Resilient Surgeon episode, Sheila Heen, a lecturer on negotiation at Harvard Law School and co-author of Thanks for the Feedback and Difficult Conversations, talks about giving and receiving feedback and how we can be better at both. Specifically, Heen explains how to be less dismissive in the way we receive feedback and become genuinely grateful and appreciative of feedback from others. She also talks about creating a productive feedback culture in the workplace.  

#168 S4: A Conversation on Leadership with Humanity

Former US Navy Commander Mike Abrashoff joins Dr. Michael Maddaus for a conversation on leadership with humanity. Abrashoff shares his success in turning around a struggling ship, the USS Benfold, which became the subject of his New York Times bestselling book, It's Your Ship. Hear about his simple yet powerful approach to leading with compassion, empathy, and respect for others.

#167, S4: Humility - The New Super Power of Great Leaders

Join Dr. Michael Maddaus, host of The Resilient Surgeon, for a discussion with Amer Kaissi, professor of health care administration at Trinity University in San Antonio and author of Humbitious: The Power of Low Ego, High-Drive Leadership, about embracing change with an open approach rather than a defensive stance. Kaissi explains that when leaders "connect with humility and elevate with ambition" they can transform organizations. 

#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.