Surgical Hot Topics

Same Surgeon, Different Light S3: Hassan Tetteh, MD, MBA

In this episode, Dr. David Tom Cooke interviews Dr. Hassan Tetteh—a US Navy Captain, Associate Professor of Surgery at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, and adjunct faculty at Howard University College of Medicine. An artificial intelligence strategist for the Department of Defense and skilled cardiothoracic and transplant surgeon, Dr. Tetteh has completed more than 20 marathons and authored several books. In the episode, he shares stories of his upbringing in Brooklyn, New York, and details how military service has helped shape his life. He also discusses the importance of “paying it forward” in his career and his observations on how artificial intelligence is shaping the CT surgery specialty. 

“Same Surgeon, Different Light” is a program from the Society designed to demystify cardiothoracic surgery, revealing the men and women behind their surgical masks. The podcast series is supported by AstraZeneca.

Learn more about STS diversity and inclusion efforts at sts.org/diversity.

Same Surgeon, Different Light S3: Dr. Daniela Molena

In this episode, Dr. Tom Varghese interviews Dr. Daniela Molena—a thoracic surgeon and Director of Esophageal Surgery at Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, as well as the newly elected President of Women in Thoracic Surgery. Listeners will learn about her upbringing in a small Italian town and her training at one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious schools while simultaneously working as a classical dancer and competing on a national game show. Dr. Molena shares how her medical journey brought her to the United States—which required repeating much of her European training—and the importance of finding a community of supporters at each step. 

“Same Surgeon, Different Light” is a program from the Society designed to demystify cardiothoracic surgery, revealing the men and women behind their surgical masks. 

Learn more about STS diversity and inclusion efforts at sts.org/diversity.

Same Surgeon, Different Light S3: Dr. Mark B. Orringer

In this episode, Dr. David Tom Cooke interviews Dr. Mark Orringer—a general thoracic surgery pioneer who developed the transhiatal esophagectomy, the most prevalent surgery for esophageal cancer. Listeners will learn about his upbringing in Pittsburgh and the work ethic learned from his immigrant father, plus his time at Johns Hopkins—including the involvement of his wife, Susan, in creating a welcoming environment for scores of faculty, fellows, and trainees. Dr. Orringer shares his memories of the esteemed Dr. Vivien Thomas, of traveling to England to work with Dr. Ronald Belsey, a renowned esophageal surgeon, and how working with Belsey changed the trajectory of his career. Listen as he shares his work developing the transhiatal esophagectomy, what he thinks is important in making a good CT surgeon, and the importance of the cardiothoracic surgery specialty. 

“Same Surgeon, Different Light” is a program from the Society designed to demystify cardiothoracic surgery, revealing the men and women behind their surgical masks. 

Learn more about STS diversity and inclusion efforts at sts.org/diversity.

The Resilient Surgeon S2: Haytham Kaafarani, MD, MPH

In this episode, Dr. Michael Maddaus talks with Haytham Kaafarani, MD, MPH, associate professor of trauma and critical care at Massachusetts General Hospital and chief patient safety officer and medical director for The Joint Commission. They discuss Second Victim Syndrome, the often-dramatic psychological impact of an adverse event on the physician—typically operative and one for which the surgeon often feels directly responsible. Dr. Kaafarani is an international expert on second victim due to his direct personal experience with the psychological impact of adverse events, as well as his role in two seminal studies of Second Victim Syndrome in surgeons. 

Listen as Drs. Maddaus and Kaafarani share insights on the emotional toll that an adverse event can take on the life of a surgeon and talk about the importance of peer support for a better recovery. They explore how Dr. Kaafarani became an expert regarding Second Victim Syndrome and how he developed his 5-step peer support program. This discussion will help listeners reflect on their own experiences with major adverse events and understand their part in boosting institutional support. 

“The Resilient Surgeon” is a program from the Society designed to inspire cardiothoracic surgeons to be their best selves, in and out of the OR, using scientifically proven tools and recovery strategies of the world’s top performers.

Learn more about STS wellness efforts at sts.org/wellness.

The Resilient Surgeon S2: Steve Magness

In this episode, Dr. Michael Maddaus talks with Steve Magness about a reimagined idea of toughness and how to help others be tough through compassion, connection, and humanity. Magness is a world-renowned expert on performance and author of the book Do Hard Things: Why We Get Resilience Wrong and the Surprising Science of Real Toughness. His work breaks down the myth of what real toughness is and identifies four pillars of becoming tough as an individual:

• Ditch the facade and embrace reality
• Listen to your body
• Respond instead of react
• Transcend discomfort

Listen as the conversation explores the ways in which toughness and resilience equip individuals with the skills to succeed and become their best selves. 

“The Resilient Surgeon” is a program from STS designed to inspire cardiothoracic surgeons to be their best selves, in and out of the OR, using scientifically proven tools and recovery strategies of the world’s top performers.

Steve Magness, author of Do Hard Things: Why We Get Resilience Wrong and the Surprising Science of Real Toughness, can be reached via stevemagness.com.

Learn more about STS wellness efforts at sts.org/wellness.

The Resilient Surgeon S2: Christine Porath

In this episode, Dr. Michael Maddaus speaks with Christine Porath, an associate professor at Georgetown University McDonough School of Business. Porath has dedicated her career to understanding the business and personal impacts of how people treat one another in the workplace, and how the influence of leaders plays a huge role in happiness and engagement at work. The need for human connection is part of our genes. But Porath identifies today’s modern technologies and self-sufficient mindset as disconnecting factors that lead to increases in anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems. Her book, Mastering Civility: A Manifesto for the Workplace, documents the financial implications of poor leadership and suggests a variety of solutions. Her newest book, Mastering Community: The Surprising Ways Coming Together Moves Us from Surviving to Thriving, tells of the importance of workplace connection and feelings of value, belonging, and understanding. Listen as Dr. Maddaus and Porath discuss the need, at work and at home, to foster relationships built on connection and support, and how this can make all the difference, especially when times are hard.   

“The Resilient Surgeon” is a program from the Society designed to inspire cardiothoracic surgeons to be their best selves, in and out of the OR, using scientifically proven tools and recovery strategies of the world’s top performers.

Christine Porath can be reached at christine.porath@gmail.com.

Learn more about STS wellness efforts at sts.org/wellness.

The Resilient Surgeon S2: Marcus Buckingham

In this episode, Dr. Michael Maddaus talks with Marcus Buckingham, global researcher and New York Times bestselling author. Buckingham’s work focuses on unlocking people’s strengths, increasing their performance, and defining a better future for how people work. During this podcast episode, the two discuss finding and untapping one’s “wyrd,” which is described in detail in Buckingham’s latest book, Love+Work. Each person’s “wyrd”—from an ancient Norse term describing an individual’s unique spirit—informs how that person perceives the world and guides them to the things they truly love to do. Failing to tap into the “wyrd” and losing touch with that love is a recipe for burnout and angst. Listen as Dr. Maddaus and Buckingham discuss how to move through the demands of life and discover love in the details of one’s work, which inevitably leads to being a better team member and a happier self. 

“The Resilient Surgeon” is a program from the Society designed to inspire cardiothoracic surgeons to be their best selves, in and out of the OR, using scientifically proven tools and recovery strategies of the world’s top performers.

Marcus Buckingham can be reached via marcusbuckingham.com.

Learn more about STS wellness efforts at sts.org/wellness.

The Resilient Surgeon S2: Commander Rich Diviney

In this episode, Dr. Michael Maddaus interviews Commander Rich Diviney, a retired US Navy Seal officer and author of The Attributes, 25 Hidden Drivers of Optimal Performance. Drawing from his 20-plus years of experience in the Navy, Diviney came to understand that even individuals at the highest levels of physical and mental capabilities can sometimes fail to perform in specific situations. He determined that an individual’s ability to succeed is determined by attributes, not skills. Attributes—like patience, resilience, situational awareness, and adaptability—inform behaviors, and each person has a unique combination of attributes that dictates how they behave, react, and perform. Diviney shares how his time with the Navy Seals helped him develop his strongest attributes and how others can come to understand their own. Through careful examination of these attributes, people can build better relationships and teams and ultimately unlock their potential.

“The Resilient Surgeon” is a program from the Society designed to inspire cardiothoracic surgeons to be their best selves, in and out of the OR, using scientifically proven tools and recovery strategies of the world’s top performers.

Rich Diviney, author of The Attributes, 25 Hidden Drivers of Optimal Performance, can be reached online at theattributes.com.

Learn more about STS wellness efforts at sts.org/wellness.

The Resilient Surgeon S2: Dr. Brian Little

In this episode, Dr. Michael Maddaus talks with Dr. Brian Little, a world-renowned psychologist and an expert on personalities. Dr. Little has written three bestselling books on personality, has a TED Talk called “Who Are You, Really?” that has been viewed more than 20 million times, and was voted a favorite professor at Harvard University for 3 consecutive years. Together, they discuss the importance of self-awareness and how understanding our own personality traits can help us make better, more meaningful connections with those around us, both at work and at home. Learn about the Big Five Personality Traits: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism; and the profound impact they can have on how our lives unfold and flourish. Listen as Drs. Maddaus and Little share examples of these different personality traits and provide insights into how we can harness the unique qualities which truly allow us to be our best selves. 

“The Resilient Surgeon” is a program from the Society designed to inspire cardiothoracic surgeons to be their best selves, in and out of the OR, using scientifically proven tools and recovery strategies of the world’s top performers.

Dr. Little, author of, Me, Myself and Us: The Science of Personality and the Art of Well-being, can be reached via email.

Learn more about STS wellness efforts at sts.org/wellness.

The Resilient Surgeon S2: Dr. Amy Edmondson

In this episode, Dr. Michael Maddaus interviews Dr. Amy Edmondson—a scholar of leadership, teaming, and organizational learning. Best known for her groundbreaking work on psychological safety in the workplace, Dr. Edmondson is the author of seven books and is ranked as one of the most influential management thinkers. What is psychological safety? According to Dr. Edmondson, it is a belief that one will not be punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns, or mistakes, and that the team is safe for inter-personal risk-taking. In other words, she says, “Think of it as felt permission for candor.” Dr. Maddaus reflects on the surgical culture in which fear and anxiety have been the accepted drivers of high expectations and excellence. The concept of psychological safety, though, has shown him a different way, and together with Dr. Edmondson, he discusses a “recipe for magic”—the magic for better outcomes, better problem-solving, and a more flexible and rapid ability to adapt and create for the future. Listeners will hear Dr. Edmondson explain that if you change the nature and quality of the conversations in your team, your outcomes will improve exponentially. Psychological safety, she explains, is the core component to unlock this. A leader’s job—whether at the top of an organization or somewhere in the middle—is to create a safe space for people to speak up, make mistakes, and bring their full selves to work. 

“The Resilient Surgeon” is a program from the Society designed to inspire cardiothoracic surgeons to be their best selves, in and out of the OR, using scientifically proven tools and recovery strategies of the world’s top performers.

Dr. Edmondson can be reached at amycedmondson.com and @AmyCEdmondson. Learn more about STS wellness efforts at sts.org/wellness.