Surgical Hot Topics

Hosted by Thomas K. Varghese Jr., MD, MS, the “Beyond the Abstract” program explores the “whys” behind articles in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery and discusses next steps with authors and thought leaders. In the latest episode, Ourania A. Preventza, MD, MBA, joins Dr. Varghese to discuss the powerful Annals article that examines demographic trends among cardiothoracic surgery trainees in all accredited US training programs over the past 13 years. This robust conversation explores the motivation behind the project, reflections on the ongoing efforts to effect change, and opportunities to improve the specialty in the years ahead. Dr. Varghese asks the important question: “Are we doing a good job, or are we still struggling with how to continue to recruit the best and the brightest to our field?” According to Dr. Preventza, there are “great initiatives” in CT surgery, but “we have to know how to dissect the issue and better understand where the problem is.” Hear what she says about the specialty’s “pipeline issu

In this episode—which does not disappoint—Dr. Tom Varghese interviews Dr. Gail Darling, head of surgery at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, Canada. Dr. Darling reveals an “ordinary upbringing,” growing up in Canada with an accountant dad and a stay-at-home mom. Interestingly, her 12th grade English teacher was the person who recommended that Dr. Darling think about medicine as a career; before that, she was going to study English. She went on to become the first person in her family to attend university. The original plan was family medicine, but during the surgery rotation, Dr. Darling realized there was more opportunity to “make a difference and make things happen” in surgery. She liked “the pace and the people—birds of a feather.” This “giant” in cardiothoracic surgery shares her perspectives and thoughts about overcoming challenges associated with shattering glass ceilings, constant changes in cardiothoracic surgery, and the need to adopt a growth mindset in the quest for excellence. In reflecting on

In this episode, Dr. David Tom Cooke interviews Dr. Jacques Kpodonu, from Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Listeners will discover fascinating personal details, like why Dr. Kpodonu considers himself an “international gentleman.” He was born in Paris, France—his mom’s home city, but at 8 years old, moved to his dad’s country of Ghana. Throughout his childhood years, the family moved back and forth between the two countries several times. In Ghana, Dr. Kpodonu’s dad served as the country’s first cardiologist, and today, at 84 years old, he is still practicing medicine—"as active as ever.” After attending medical school at the University of Ghana, Dr. Kpodonu felt a “pull” to complete his training in the US. Why cardiothoracic surgery? His dad’s influence pushed him to “do something with the heart.” From an early age, he was reading EKGs for his dad—“making some money on the side.” A staunch advocate for global health equity, Dr. Kpodonu details his work with health car

In this episode, Dr. Tom Varghese interviews Dr. Susan Moffatt-Bruce, Chief Executive Officer at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. This inspirational leader shares details about growing up in Canada with a dad who was part of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and a mom who was a nurse. She credits her strong family unit with keeping her grounded as they moved around Canada throughout her younger years. Dr. Moffatt-Bruce went on to attend different universities in different countries—Canada, the US, and the UK—an experience that provided her with distinct “perspectives and insight into all of the ways that education and health care are delivered.”  So how did she find her way into medicine? Listeners will learn that Dr. Moffatt-Bruce first was influenced and inspired by her mom, but once she started medical school, “I was hooked,” she said. A world-class leader with sharp business acumen and passion for value-driven care, Dr. Moffatt-Bruce became involved with patient safety efforts and c

In this episode of Season 2, Dr. Tom Varghese interviews Dr. Joseph Dearani, from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Described as a leader extraordinaire, Dr. Dearani reflects on his STS presidency and shares the most challenging aspects of leading the organization during the first 10 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. He says adapting, rebounding, and refocusing were key. Dr. Dearani details captivating personal stories such as how his father’s family—who were silk weavers—emigrated from Syria; how his father, as a young boy, shined shoes on a street corner in Patterson, New Jersey, and then used his earnings to buy bread for dinner on the way home; and what it was like growing up with eight younger sisters. His father, who went on the become a family physician, inspired Dr. Dearani to pursue a career in medicine. The decision to specialize in cardiothoracic surgery, though, was a little less straightforward. In fact, surgery wasn’t even one of his initial interests. Instead, he considered emergency medicine an

In this episode of the STS Webinar Series, a panel comprising residents and surgeons shares a novel approach to Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (QIPS) rounds. Two case scenarios are used to demonstrate a structured, multidisciplinary approach to phase-of-care analysis of CT surgery patients. The group also discusses the impact of QIPS rounds on team culture within a surgical division that has adopted the framework. Participants include Kumari N. Adams, MD, Joel Bierer, MD, Edgar G. Chedrawy, MD, MSc, FRCSC, Kristen Errico, MD, Christopher M. Feindel, MD, FRCSC, Steven D. Harrington, MD, MBA, Susan D. Moffatt-Bruce, MD, PhD, MBA (moderator), Felix Oleralu, MD, Garrett L. Walsh, MD (moderator).

In the final episode of season 1, Dr. Michael Maddaus interviews Brian Ferguson, a former US Navy SEAL and CEO of Arena Labs. From start to finish, this conversation offers thought-provoking and inspiring information about human potential and becoming the best versions of ourselves. “How do we bridge the gap between who we are and who we have the capacity to become?” Brian asks. Not surprisingly, his experience in special operations helped him better understand his own potential, while also prompting him to launch a deeply personal mission of guiding others to take better care of themselves. Brian shares that his mom was a nurse and his brother was in the US Army Special Forces. These influences further extended his incredible appreciation for those who serve others. Importantly, he examines the danger of service archetypes—teachers, soldiers, surgeons—“giving of themselves and giving of themselves until they have nothing left to give.” Who is protecting them? And, how does this impact burnout in modern medic

In the first episode of Season 2, Dr. David Tom Cooke interviews Dr. Valerie Rusch, esteemed medical researcher and thoracic surgeon from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. Dr. Rusch reveals fascinating details about her storied career, excitedly sharing that cardiothoracic surgery is “in a time of wonderful transformation.” She describes growing up in Manhattan with powerful lessons from her mother about being a strong woman. This counsel—along with a summer job as a surgical scrub tech—motivated Dr. Rusch to pursue a career in medicine. She knew it wouldn’t be easy, but with persistence and resilience, she carried on and became one of the world’s top experts in the management of lung cancer and mesothelioma. Throughout the episode, Dr. Rusch offers valuable advice for young surgeons. “Be nimble and flexible,” she says. In addition, Dr. Rusch explains the importance of being open to new ideas and thoughtful about acquiring new skills to take care of patients. The faces of cardiothoracic

In this episode, Dr. Michael Maddaus interviews British journalist and best-selling author Oliver Burkeman. How can we make the most of our finite lives in a world of impossible demands and relentless distraction? This intriguing conversation reveals profound insights on how to make the best use of time—our scarcest and most precious resource. A recovering productivity geek, Oliver lends his expertise about what brings value and meaning to our lives and how this intersects with the “tsunami” of the modern world. He challenges listeners to change their way of looking at and thinking about time. Stop trying to “clear the decks before you move on to the important stuff because the decks will never be clear,” he advises. Oliver also describes a linear notion of time, comparing time to a conveyor belt with “various containers going by and we have to fill the containers.” But beware—getting more done can be just a way of inviting more to do, and this productivity pressure often turns into a chronic sense of urgency

In this episode, Dr. Michael Maddaus interviews Christopher M. Barnes, PhD, professor of organizational behavior at the University of Washington and expert in the impact of sleep deprivation. Dr. Barnes takes a deep dive into the impact of sleep deprivation on leadership performance and behavior, as well as its effects on interpersonal relationships. “When you sleep better, everything in your life will get better—your health, your work, your relationships, your general happiness,” he said. Dr. Barnes examines how important sleep is to overall health and mental wellness. Lack of sleep in some careers—cardiothoracic surgery in particular—often is worn as a badge of honor. But there are serious health consequences that have been linked to not getting enough sleep, including heart attacks, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, weight gain, diabetes, depression, and anxiety. Dr. Barnes explains that when it comes to sleep, the path to success involves both quantity and quality. Listeners also will learn about the concept o

In this episode of the STS Webinar Series, a multidisciplinary panel of experts discuss the landscape of transcatheter devices and their place in tricuspid valve disease treatment. The program includes a case review of degenerative mitral disease with tricuspid complications, a look at the newest transcatheter tricuspid replacement technologies, and a detailed discussion of recently released trial data on surgical tricuspid repair. Participants include Gorav Ailawadi, MD, MBA (moderator), James S. Gammie, MD (moderator), Rebecca T. Hahn, MD, Tsuyoshi Kaneko, MD (moderator), Molly A. Szerlip, MD, and Leora T. Yarboro, MD.

In this episode, Dr. Michael Maddaus interviews Dr. Chris Germer—a clinical psychologist and thought leader on mindfulness and self-compassion. This in-depth conversation details the power of self-compassion and how important the practice is for our mental health and the ability to recover from failures and struggles. “When our self-worth comes from external approval and support, we are always walking in a minefield because it can blow up at any moment,” he says. Dr. Germer shares his personal struggles with disabling anxiety and explains how he learned to be kind to himself—self-compassion—not only when he succeeded, but also when he didn’t. The “new voice” in his head allowed him to activate warmth that dissolved fear—an astonishing breakthrough for him. Importantly, Dr. Germer says that self-compassion can very quickly turn into kindness toward others—another benefit of this practice. Listeners also will learn about the formula: pain x resistance = suffering, along with Dr. Germer’s advice for using mindfu

In this episode of the STS Webinar Series, surgeons from different practice environments in the US and Canada share their experiences with establishing biomarker testing protocols for lung cancer patients. Topics include the evidence base for adjuvant targeted therapy for EGFR-positive patients, the variability in biomarker testing practices at the panelists’ institutions, and the decision-making process behind tissue acquisition for biomarker testing. Participants include Jessica S. Donington, MD, MSCR, Janet P. Edwards, MD, MPH, Farhood Farjah, MD, MPH (moderator), Biniam Kidane, MD, MSc, Svetlana Kotova, MD, M. Blair Marshall, MD (moderator), Linda W. Martin, MD, MPH.

In this episode, Dr. Michael Maddaus interviews Dr. Wayne Sotile, an expert in resilience and work/life balance for high performing people and considered one of the world’s most seasoned clinicians specializing in life coaching for physicians. Over the years, he has counseled and coached more than 30,000 physicians and their families, while gaining a deep, critical understanding of the relationship dynamics and lifestyles of physicians. Dr. Sotile describes the “privilege” of physicians and medical families allowing him “private glimpses into their psychosocial underbelly.” He specifically addresses the loneliness that surgeons and other health care professional sometimes feel and describes the importance of updating our “mental maps” and embracing a pride of survivorship. “Get out of the internal beating up of ourselves and others with blaming or shaming messages. Nobody ever grows from being blamed or shamed,” Dr. Sotile reminds listeners. Physicians, he says, need to recognize that they are extraordinary p

In this episode of the STS Webinar Series, authors and editors of the STS Cardiothoracic Surgery E-book discuss the potential impact of such a comprehensive, interactive resource on congenital heart surgery practice and education. Topics include the value of detailed illustrations and embedded surgical videos for resident education, portability and access by members at every level of the surgical team, and benefits of the e-book in securing informed consent from patients and their families. Participants include Erle H. Austin III, MD (moderator), Carl L. Backer, MD, Jeffrey P. Jacobs, MD (moderator), Robert D.B. Jaquiss, MD, John E. Mayer Jr., MD, Jennifer C. Romano, MD, MS (moderator), and James S. Tweddell, MD (moderator).

In this episode, Dr. Michael Maddaus interviews Dr. Jud Brewer—a New York Times best-selling author, neuroscientist, and thought leader in the field of habit change and the “science of self-mastery.” This fascinating conversation takes us on a journey inside the brain, shedding light on the mechanics of our constant inner dialogue. Dr. Jud shares his straightforward approach that has been known to turn traditional advice upside down. According to this addiction psychiatrist, we all struggle with something—our brains are set up that way, he says. Listeners will learn about the impact of the modern world on the creation of addictions and habits. Dr. Jud explains that our brains hate uncertainty and habits help us survive by “planning for the future.” This expert guest recommends a three-gear process for unwinding a bad habit. Dr. Jud also touches on willpower, suggesting that it is “more myth than muscle.” “The Resilient Surgeon” is a program from the Society designed to inspire cardiothoracic surgeons to be th

In this episode, Dr. Maddaus interviews Dr. Suniya Luthar, professor emerita at the Teachers College, Columbia University, and expert on building supportive, authentic connections in the face of stress. Listeners will learn details about her research, which has demonstrated how critical it is to our mental health and resilience to have a separate space in a trusted, safe, and supportive environment outside of home and work. Dr. Luthar explains how our fast-paced, high-stress world often leads to isolation and loneliness and how real connections with others is the glue that holds our mental well-being together. “For many of us who have the mindset of ‘we must be strong, we must be self-sufficient,’ the downside is that it sometimes becomes difficult to drop that shield, that armor and let people in. That is obviously very, very destructive for our mental health,” she said. Dr. Luthar discusses the significant stresses of being a working mother and the “enormous amount of emotional work” required to be “captain

In the latest episode of the STS Webinar Series, an expert panel discusses findings and recommendations from a new guideline on patient blood management developed by STS and three other medical specialty organizations. The panel, made up of guideline coauthors, shares 10 key takeaways about conserving blood resources, managing anemia, optimizing coagulation, and improving patient outcomes. Participants include: Victor A. Ferraris, MD, PhD, R. Scott McClure, MD, MS, Susan D. Moffatt-Bruce, MD, PhD, MBA (moderator), Linda Shore-Lesserson, MD, and Pierre R. Tibi, MD.

In this episode, Dr. Wayne Sotile serves as a guest interviewer, speaking with the host of The Resilient Surgeon, Dr. Michael Maddaus. During this incredibly honest conversation, Dr. Maddaus generously shares his own personal stories and real-world experiences that included a poor and abusive alcoholic upbringing, 24 arrests as a juvenile, five stints in reform school, and a devastating personal fall following his addiction to prescription narcotics. So how did he end up in medical school? Dr. Maddaus credits his job delivering furniture, an unlikely mentor, and some vocational interest tests. While navigating all of these ups and downs—always with grit and resilience—what did he learn? “I learned to be very comfortable being uncomfortable, how to adapt and get along in various environments, and how to work with a lot of different types of people,” he explains. The stories you will hear from Dr. Maddaus prove that resilience is a journey, not a destination. “The Resilient Surgeon” is a program from the Societ

In this episode, Dr. Michael Maddaus interviews Dr. Robert Lustig, pediatric neuroendocrinologist and author of Metabolical: The Lure and the Lies of Processed Food, Nutrition, and Modern Medicine. This fascinating discussion of metabolic health and nutrition exposes some of the leading myths that underlie the current pandemic of diet-related disease. Dr. Lustig explains that the food business—by pushing processed food loaded with sugar—has hacked our bodies and minds. Hear scientifically-based guidance on how to protect our bodies and minds from the “ravages of processed food.” Dr. Lustig shares his food philosophy, which can be summed up in six words: protect the liver, feed the gut. Real food (no labels!) does both. Processed food—a “poison”—does neither, and instead, floods the liver and starves the gut. Listeners also will learn that it’s not what’s in the food, but what’s been done to the food that matters. “The Resilient Surgeon” is a program from the Society designed to inspire cardiothoracic surgeons