The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MD

This week on The Intentional Surgeon, I sit down with Dr. Amy Vertrees for a deeply resonant conversation on pivotal career moments, leadership in medicine, and the power of sharing hard-earned lessons. Dr. Vertrees shares the turning point when she realized the system wasn’t what she expected—and how she moved forward with intention instead of waiting for perfect conditions.

From building something meaningful in her own practice to redefining leadership beyond being a "widget" in the system, Dr. Vertrees invites us to reconsider what it truly means to lead in medicine. This episode is a must...

1001 Cuts: Being A Woman Surgeon in 2025

This episode is for women and men surgeons. It is important that all of us see the biases that still occur every day in (and out) of the operating room. It is literally 1001 Cuts. Asking for things multiple times, defer from the senior women surgeon to the young man medical student, having the equipment not fit. Needing a male colleague to explain what we are doing or get us what we need. 1001 Cuts.

We think that maybe things have changed, but not as much as they could have. We...

In this week’s episode of The Intentional Surgeon, Dr. Mark Soliman, the founder of SurgeOn App, joins the conversation to challenge the myth of surgical perfection. From the harmful culture of “peacocking” to the transformative power of vulnerability, Dr. Soliman advocates for honest reflection over performative excellence. Complications are inevitable, but it’s through embracing imperfection that surgeons truly grow, earn respect, and reshape the profession for the better.

Dr. Soliman also addresses a critical issue in surgical training: cognitive overload. Using the analogy of offering an appetizer rather than a buffet, he shares his approach to mento...

In this week’s episode of The Intentional Surgeon, Drs. Sharon L. Stein and Sunil Geevarghese dive into the emotional aftermath of surgical complications, questioning whether we prioritize learning or healing after a complication. They explore the pressure to present cases at M&M conferences before true recovery can occur, the emotional toll this tradition carries, and the need to rethink how surgical culture supports accountability and growth. Dr. Geevarghese makes a powerful case for evolving M&M structures by amplifying diverse voices and honoring surgical traditions without being trapped by them.

About Dr. Sunil Geevarghese: Dr. Ge...

In this compelling episode of The Intentional Surgeon Podcast, Dr. Neil Hyman, retired colorectal surgeon and author of The Breaking of the Surgeons, joins Dr. Sharon Stein to discuss the emotional and systemic challenges facing today’s healthcare professionals. From the heartbreak of watching young surgeons navigate a performative and unsupportive system, to the growing concern that healthcare is sustained by the unsustainable commitment of doctors and nurses, Neil sheds light on a profession under strain. He emphasizes the importance of preserving the integrity of the healthcare hierarchy—where patients come first, providers next, and administration serves in support—not th...

In this episode of The Intentional Surgeon, Dr. Sharon L. Stein explores the often-overlooked aspect of professional development in surgical training. While medical school dedicates substantial time to pathology, pathophysiology, and technical skill-building, there is a third, crucial component to a surgeon's growth — the development of a professional identity. Sharon delves into her personal experiences, the challenges of being seen as a leader, and the role of embracing failure as a catalyst for progress.

Dr. Sharon Stein's insights challenge the status quo of surgical training. Her call to embrace professional development, vulnerability, and calculated risk-taking is a po...

The importance of failing better. As surgeons, striving for perfection is ingrained in the profession, but failure presents an opportunity to rethink, adapt, and improve. Failure is an inevitable part of growth—and it happens to all of us.

This week on The Intentional Surgeon, host Dr. Sharon L. Stein is joined by Dr. Tania Arora, a surgical oncologist, professor, and Vice Chair of Access and Engagement. Dr. Arora shares her perspective on navigating change, embracing failure, and driving meaningful transformation in medicine.

Dr. Arora reflects on her experiences as a leader in academic medicine an...

The importance of failing better. As surgeons, striving for perfection is ingrained in the profession, but failure presents an opportunity to rethink, adapt, and improve. Failure is an inevitable part of growth—and it happens to all of us.

This week on The Intentional Surgeon, host Dr. Sharon L. Stein is joined by Dr. Tania Arora, a surgical oncologist, professor, and Vice Chair of Access and Engagement at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Arora shares her insights on navigating change, embracing failure, and fostering meaningful cultural transformation in medicine.

Dr. Arora discusses her tr...

Sometimes, a simple shift in perspective leads to groundbreaking innovation. In this episode of The Intentional Surgeon, Sharon L. Stein welcomes Dr. Daniel A. Hashimoto, a trailblazing surgeon who is reshaping how artificial intelligence is integrated into surgical practice.

Dr. Daniel A. Hashimoto is a surgeon and AI expert dedicated to advancing technology in surgical practice. His research focuses on how artificial intelligence can enhance decision-making, reduce complications, and improve patient care.

Dr. Hashimoto explores how AI can refine our approach to cholecystectomy, reducing injuries by focusing on how we identify the cystic duct. What...

In this episode of The Intentional Surgeon, we are going to talk about what happens when your values conflict with the profession of medicine. We are going to talk about how we, as surgeons, became indoctrinated into the profession of medicine. How we were rewarded for our service and the price we paid to belong. And we are going to talk about why, when we begin to feel that our values might conflict with the system, it is so difficult to call that out.

So many of us have had a patient who needed something, and the...

In this enlightening episode of The Intentional Surgeon Podcast, we welcome Dr. Carla Pugh.

Dr. Pugh's research in technology-driven training has made it clear that we are not measuring what matters most... we are not measuring the outcomes of surgery that matter. Why? Because we don't have the ability to do so safely. "No one wants a bronze medalist surgeon - we all want the gold medal surgeon. So what ability does a surgeon have to improve if they are not the best." Until we bravely move forward and insist that we need data that truly measures...

In this episode of The Intentional Surgeon, Dr. Sharon L. Stein sits down with the esteemed Dr. Ross, a board-certified advanced Foregut and HPB surgeon with nearly two decades of expertise in robotic and single-incision laparoscopic surgeries. Dr. Ross has performed groundbreaking work in minimally invasive operations for conditions affecting the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, and liver, and is dedicated to training the next generation of surgeons through her leadership at the Digestive Institute at Advent Health Tampa.

Dr. Ross's journey from serving in the Israeli Defense Forces to becoming a trailblazer in her field exemplifies determination and...

In this episode of The Intentional Surgeon, host Sharon L. Stein welcomes Dr. Husein Moloo, Director of Planetary Health and Professor of Surgery at the University of Ottawa. Climate change is one of the biggest concerns for people around the globe, and surgery creates a huge amount of waste.

In this episode, Dr. Moloo delves into the ways that we can change our eco-anxiety into eco-action - including simple measures that you can implement right now in your hospital and practice. Almost 50% of hospital waste comes from the perioperative period - as demonstrated in this dramatic video...

Season 1 of The Intentional Surgeon Wraps Up!

What a journey it’s been! Season 1 has brought us incredible guests, tackled challenging topics, and sparked so much learning and growth.

As we plan for an even more impactful 2025, we’d love to hear from YOU!

Your feedback shapes the future of the podcast, so don’t hold back!

Thank you for bein...

Jo Shapiro, MD, FACS, is an associate professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Harvard Medical School and a consultant for the Department of Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital. In 2008, she founded the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Center for Professionalism and Peer Support, where she served as the director for over 10 years. In 2018, Harvard Medical School gave her the Shirley Driscoll Dean’s Award for the Advancement of Women’s Careers. She continues to educate and assist organizations in developing specific programmatic and educational approaches to patient safety and clinician wellbeing, such as peer support, disclosure and apology, profes...

Jo Shapiro, MD, FACS, is an associate professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Harvard Medical School and a consultant for the Department of Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital. In 2008, she founded the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Center for Professionalism and Peer Support, where she served as the director for over 10 years. In 2018, Harvard Medical School gave her the Shirley Driscoll Dean’s Award for the Advancement of Women’s Careers. She continues to educate and assist organizations in developing specific programmatic and educational approaches to patient safety and clinician wellbeing, such as peer support, disclosure and apology, profes...

Dr. Bethany Malone is a colorectal surgeon, an actor, and a colorectal TickTok phenomenon. A native of Fort Worth Texas she did her medical training in New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, before heading back to Texas to start practice in the middle of the pandemic. After just months, she was finding that her practice was making her miserable. She was running around doing acute care surgery, rather than colorectal surgery, and not seeing her kids for days on end. Bethany decided to lean into her own belief in her worth, her skills and change everything.

As a...

In this episode of The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MD we hear from Steven D. Wexner MD, PhD (Hon), FACS, FRCS (Eng, Ed), Hon FRCS (I, Glasg). Anyone who knows Steve knows what an academic, clinical, and educational powerhouse he is. With over 600 articles to his credit, zillions of lectures, and hundreds of mentees, Steve is known around the globe as a colorectal surgeon, researcher, and leader.

He shares with Sharon his values and passions in surgery, which include caring for patients, improving outcomes, disseminating results, and importantly, learning from others. He talks about the...

Dr. Buyske is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Board of Surgery (ABS). She joined the board in 1998, initially as a Qualifying Examination item writer, then an associate examiner, and finally, a director of the ABS starting in 2006. In 2008 she joined the staff full time as Associate Executive Director and Director of Evaluation, and in 2017 was named Executive Director. Prior to that, Dr. Buyske was Chief of Surgery and Director of Minimally Invasive Surgery at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in Philadelphia, and on faculty at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, where her clinical experience...

Welcome back to The Intentional Surgeon with Dr. Sharon Stein - the podcast where we talk about the people, the institutions, and the ideas that are changing the culture of surgery. Today, we are joined by Dr. Rachel Pope. Rachel is a gynecologist who specializes in women's reconstructive surgery, concentrating on vesico-vaginal and recto-vaginal surgery. Rachel's passion for this particular corner of surgery didn't quite fit into any of the established tracks, so she shares her path to following her passion, serving women, and keeping her skills marketable. She has some great tips including "cyberstalking" her role model's CVs...

As academic institutions, we often find ourselves frustrated by the complexities of care transfer processes and the challenges of working with referring hospitals. It's easy to forget that everyone involved is striving to do their best under difficult circumstances. In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Angela Ingraham, who encourages us to stay curious and open-minded in the face of these challenges.

Dr. Angela (Angie) Ingraham, MD, MS, currently serves as Associate Vice President of Member Networks at Vizient, Inc. In her role, she leads and oversees the development of networks for Chief Medical Executives and Chief...

Surgeons often have an A+ mindset, but too frequently, we tie our self-worth to our job titles. This fixation on continuous achievements and accolades can lead to burnout and an unbalanced life. This cycle needs to change.

This week, I’m joined by Dr. Jennifer F. Tseng to discuss how our identity shouldn't be defined by our job titles, why working longer hours doesn’t necessarily make us better surgeons, and how outdated expectations impact our residents.

Dr. Jennifer F. Tseng, MD, MPH, is currently a Professor of Surgery Emerita at Boston University. A distinguished lead...

Do you struggle with communicating and managing expectations as a surgeon? Do you find yourself expecting your residents to instinctively know what you need from them? If so, this episode is for you.

Join Janet (Dombrowski) Pinkerton and me as we delve into how surgeons excel as problem solvers but often fall short when it comes to leadership.

Janet has over 15 years of experience as President at JCD Advisors, LLC, where she serves as an executive and physician coach, as well as a strategy and organizational development expert. Janet is dedicated to helping clients achieve...

“We either learn or win.” - Nelson Mandela.

What are the fundamental attributes of leadership and how does mindfulness fit into them? Where is the fine line between respecting established foundations and initiating necessary change in a new role? Discover the balance in this week’s episode featuring Dr. Sharmila Dissanaike, where every situation is an opportunity to learn and grow.

Dr. Sharmila Dissanaike is a distinguished surgeon specializing in burns, trauma, and general surgical emergencies, committed to training the next generation of surgeons. With over eight years of experience as Chair of Surgery at Texas...

“The only true advocate for yourself is you.” - Shannon Marie Foster, MD, FACS

This week, I'm thrilled to welcome the incredible Shannon Marie Foster. Join us as we explore the diverse career paths within the surgical field that can lead to a more joyful, balanced, and fulfilling life.

Shannon Marie Foster, MD, FACS is a highly accomplished surgeon originally from Akron, Ohio. After completing her medical degree at the Medical College of Ohio, she pursued her residency and fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Foster has extensive experience in trauma and surg...

“Only winners have haters.” - Paula Ferrada, MD, FACS, FCCM, MAMSE

Stepping outside of one's comfort zone and embracing change can be incredibly daunting, especially in the field of surgery, where we often settle into familiar roles that can lead to dissatisfaction and a lack of fulfillment. That's why, in this week's episode, I invited Dr. Paula Ferrada to discuss how to create a more balanced and aligned life in the surgical profession.

Paula Ferrada, MD, FACS, FCCM, MAMSE, is a board-certified surgeon, mentor and educator with more than a decade of experience. She joined Inov...

A Private Practice is a complex and dynamic healthcare business that provides specialized surgical services within a community. It combines medical expertise with business acumen to deliver quality patient care.

So what would a Private Practice look like for you, your staff, and your patients? Find out from this week’s guest on the Intentional Surgeon, Dr. Erin King-Mullins.

A double board-certified general and colorectal surgeon, Dr. Erin King-Mullins is also a children's book author and the former Program Director for the Fellowship of Colorectal Surgery. About two years ago she created her own private pr...

How do we change the culture of surgery for younger and future surgeons? Let’s find out!

We are back at the Intentional Surgeon podcast. A podcast about the people, the ideas, and the institutions that are reimagining the culture of surgery. This week, I am joined by friend and colleague, Dr. Amalia Cochran, MD. Dr. Cochran is currently the Vice Chair of Faculty Development and the Associate Program Director of Leadership and Mentorship Programs at the University of Florida. Dr. Cochran is also a phenomenal educator and has won numerous awards, including the honor of being th...

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in Surgery. What does it really look like? We all have a lot to learn.

Welcome to Episode 3 of The Intentional Surgeon, a podcast about the people, the ideas, and the institutions that are reimagining the culture of surgery. This week, I am pleased to welcome Dr. Nancy L. Gantt, professor of surgery at Northeastern Ohio Medical University also known as NEOMED in Rootstown, Ohio. Dr. Gantt is the breast director lead at the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center and is a past president of the Association of Women Surgeons, as...

Welcome to Episode 2 of The Intentional Surgeon, a podcast about the people, the ideas, and the institutions that are reimagining the culture of surgery.

Our first guest is Dr. Thomas Varghese Jr., an accomplished thoracic surgeon serving as Associate Chief Medical Quality Officer & Chief Value Officer at Huntsman Cancer Institute, and heading the General Thoracic Surgery Section at the University of Utah. He's a tenured Professor of Surgery at the University of Utah School of Medicine. Dr. Varghese is nationally recognized for his expertise in thoracic surgery, specializing in lung, esophageal, and mediastinal diseases, and is renowned...

Welcome to The Intentional Surgeon Podcast with Sharon L. Stein, MD! A podcast about the people, the ideas, and the institutions that are reimagining the culture of surgery.

You can be as intentional with your life as you are with your surgical practice.

How do I know that you can do this?

Because I did it too.

Here’s your chance to listen to the ideas of leaders in surgery, to figure out what they are thinking and doing to change our culture of surgery. Maybe they will inspire you to th...