WISER: Recent Episodes
Women In Surgery at the Emory Residencies
On this episode of the WISER Podcast, we continue Chief Insights, our mini-series highlighting the experiences of Emory’s female chief general surgery residents. Through these conversations, we explore their paths to surgery, the mentors who shaped them, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.
For this installment, WISER co-presidents Julia Burns and Rachel Holstein sat down with Dr. Bernadette Peltier. Dr. Peltier attended UT Southwestern for medical school and completed her general surgery residency at Emory, where she is currently serving as a chief resident. She will be heading to the Cleveland Clinic next year to begin her thoracic surgery fellowship.
In this conversation, Dr. Peltier shares her nontraditional path into surgery, from initially considering internal medicine to discovering her passion during trauma rotations. She reflects on how she ultimately found her fit in thoracic surgery, the role of mentorship and advocacy in a competitive match process, and how she approached residency without taking dedicated research years. She also offers thoughtful advice for medical students and interns, emphasizing the importance of mastering the fundamentals of patient care, building strong relationships, and growing into your role over time. We also discuss her experience as a woman in surgery, the transition into chief year, and how she has found balance and support throughout training.
Editors: Julia Byrnes and Rachel Holstein
Producers: Julia Byrnes, Rachel Holstein and Vienna Wang
Hosts: Rachel Holstein and Julia Byrnes
Artwork: Lily Kamat
Music: Bluedot Sessions
The post S7E5: Chief Insights: Dr. Bernadette Peltier first appeared on WISER Podcast.
On this episode of the WISER Podcast, we continue Chief Insights, our mini-series highlighting the experiences of Emory’s female chief general surgery residents. Through these conversations, we explore their paths to surgery, the mentors who shaped them, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.
For this installment, WISER co-presidents Julia Byrnes and Rachel Holstein sat down with Dr. Aileen Johnson. Dr. Johnson attended MIT for undergraduate studies before earning her medical degree at Emory University School of Medicine and staying at Emory for general surgery residency. She is one of this year’s chief residents and will be pursuing a fellowship in abdominal transplant surgery at the University of Wisconsin next year.
In this conversation, Dr. Johnson reflects on how her early experiences in EMS during college solidified her commitment to patient care, how mentorship shaped her journey into transplant surgery, and what she gained from taking three dedicated research years. She shares thoughtful advice on ownership in training, cultivating autonomy, and preparing for the responsibility of becoming “the surgeon.” We also discuss her experience as a woman in surgery, the culture of chief year, and the importance of showing up prepared, curious, and intentional at every stage of training.
Editors: Rachel Holstein and Julia Byrnes
Producers: Julia Byrnes, Rachel Holstein and Amelia Fogle
Hosts: Rachel Holstein and Julia Byrnes
Artwork: Lily Kamat
Music: Bluedot Sessions
The post S7E4: Chief Insights: Dr. Aileen Johnson first appeared on WISER Podcast.
On this episode of the WISER Podcast, we continue Chief Insights, our mini-series highlighting the experiences of Emory’s female chief general surgery residents. Through these conversations, we explore their journeys in surgery, the mentors who shaped them, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.
For this installment of Chief Insights, WISER co-presidents Julia Byrnes and Rachel Holstein sat down with Dr. Courtney Meyer. Dr. Meyer attended Albany Medical College for medical school before coming to Emory for general surgery residency, where she also completed her Master of Public Health. She is one of this year’s chief residents and will be staying at Emory and Grady Memorial Hospital to pursue a Trauma and Critical Care fellowship next year.
During our conversation, Dr. Meyer reflected on how her early experiences as a wilderness medic and her passion for public health shaped her interest in trauma surgery. She discusses the pivotal mentorship that guided her research path, her reflections on chief year, and the importance of representation and confidence for women in surgery.
Editors: Rachel Holstein and Julia Byrnes
Producers: Julia Byrnes, Rachel Holstein and Amelia Fogle
Hosts: Rachel Holstein and Julia Byrnes
Artwork: Lily Kamat
Music: Bluedot Sessions
Click here to listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!
The post S7E3: Chief Insights: Dr. Courtney Meyer first appeared on WISER Podcast.
On this episode of the WISER podcast, we’re excited to launch Chief Insights, a new mini-series featuring conversations with female chief general surgery residents at Emory. Through these interviews, we explore their unique journeys in surgery and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.
For our first episode of Chief Insights, WISER co-president Julia Byrnes and vice president Harleen Kaur sat down with Dr. Olivia Keane. Dr. Keane went to the Medical University of South Carolina for medical school and came to Emory for general surgery residency. She is one of the chief general surgery residents this year and will be staying at Emory and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for pediatric surgery fellowship next year!
Producers: Julia Byrnes and Rachel Holstein
Hosts: Julia Byrnes and Harleen Kaur
Editors: Amelia Fogle, Julia Byrnes, Nicole Semaan, and Rachel Holstein
Media: Lily Kamat
Music: Bluedot SessionsClick here to listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!
The post S7E2: Chief Insights: Dr. Olivia Keane first appeared on WISER Podcast.
Dr. Wendy Greene, the first African American female professor of surgery at Emory University, is a trailblazer in medicine and a champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion. A founding member of the African American Women’s Collaborative, she has led national conversations on DEI, secured a Level I trauma designation at Howard University Hospital, mentored countless future surgeons, and was recently awarded the Emory Department of Surgery’s Faculty DEI Pioneer Award. Yet, titles alone cannot capture the true essence of Dr. Greene, because what truly defines her is how she leads- with grace, humility, and an unshakable sense of purpose.
Guided by her mantra, “A bend in the road is not the end of the road, as long as you make the turn,” Dr. Greene exemplifies resilience, humility, and purpose. Please join us in celebrating this extraordinary leader!
Editors: Rachel Holstein and Julia Byrnes
Producers: Julia Byrnes, Rachel Holstein and Amelia Fogle
Hosts: Rachel Holstein and Cynthia Ramazani
Artwork: Harleen Kaur
Music: Bluedot Sessions
Click here to listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!
The post S7E1: Dr. Wendy Greene, on Inclusion, Equity, and Shaping the Future of Surgery first appeared on WISER Podcast.
Nicole C. Schmitt, MD, FACS, is an associate professor in the Department of Otolaryngology at Emory University School of Medicine. A board-certified otolaryngologist, Dr. Schmitt’s clinical and research work is focused on head and neck surgical oncology and novel therapeutic combinations. Dr. Schmitt obtained her Medical Degree from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. She completed her general surgery internship, a research fellowship and her residency in otolaryngology at University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. She also completed a fellowship in head and neck surgery and tumor biology at University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Schmitt’s research interest is in characterizing immune effects of cytotoxic chemotherapy and designing optimal combinations of chemotherapy and immunotherapy for head and neck cancer.
Hosts: Megan Wasson and Amelia Fogle
Editors: Megan Wasson
Producers: Shannon Su and Megan Wasson
Artwork: Harleen Kaur
Music: Bluedot SessionsClick here to listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider donating to our GoFundMe. This will help us pay for the editing software necessary to run this podcast. Thank you for your generosity!
Hosts: Megan Wasson and Amelia Fogle
Editors: Megan Wasson
Producers: Shannon Su and Megan Wasson
Artwork: Harleen Kaur
Music: Bluedot Sessions
The post Moms in Medicine: Having perspective, with Dr. Schmitt first appeared on WISER Podcast.
Dr. Emily Lagergren, MD, RPVI is a board-certified vascular surgeon with Vascular Surgical Associates. She joined VSA in 2018.
Dr. Lagergren graduated magna cum laude from Florida State University, in Tallahassee, Florida, with a degree in biology. She obtained her general surgery training at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Her interest to remain in the Southeast brought her to Emory School of Medicine, in Atlanta, Georgia, where she completed her two-year fellowship in Vascular and Endovascular surgery. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and finding the perfect work-life balance.
Hosts: Shannon Su and Julia Byrnes
Editors: Megan Wasson
Producers: Shannon Su and Megan Wasson
Artwork: Harleen Kaur
Music: Bluedot SessionsClick here to listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider donating to our GoFundMe. This will help us pay for the editing software necessary to run this podcast. Thank you for your generosity!
Hosts: Shannon Su and Julia Byrnes
Editors: Megan Wasson
Producers: Shannon Su and Megan Wasson
Artwork: Harleen Kaur
Music: Bluedot Sessions
Stay tuned for our final episode of season 6, coming soon!
The post Moms in Medicine: Dr. Lagergren’s Journey with IVF first appeared on WISER Podcast.
Hi everyone! Welcome back to the third segment of our Moms in Medicine series. This week, we are talking with Dr. Gabriela García Nores.
Dr. García is an esteemed plastic surgery faculty at Emory (and a huge advocate and sponsor of her mentees). Dr. Gabriela Garcia Nores received her MD degree from the Universidad San Martin de Porres, Facultad de Medicina Humana, Lima, Peru, in 2009. She completed general surgery residency at NYU Medical Center, during which she did a two-year research fellowship in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Her plastic surgery residency was done at the Emory and followed by a fellowship in microvascular reconstruction at the University of Pennsylvania.
Hosts: Shannon Su and Megan Wasson
Editors: Megan Wasson
Producers: Shannon Su and Megan Wasson
Artwork: Shannon Su
Music: Bluedot SessionsClick here to listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider donating to our GoFundMe. This will help us pay for the editing software necessary to run this podcast. Thank you for your generosity!
Hosts: Shannon Su and Megan Wasson
Editors: Megan Wasson
Producers: Shannon Su and Megan Wasson
Artwork: Shannon Su
Music: Bluedot Sessions
Stay tuned for the next part of our series!
The post Moms in Medicine: Residency and Pregnancy with Dr. Garcia Nores first appeared on WISER Podcast.
Hi everyone! Welcome back to another episode of WISER. We hope you enjoyed the first part of our series, Moms in Medicine. This week, we bring you Dr. Jacqueline Lee.
Dr. Lee received her medical degree from the UNC School of Medicine where she continued on to complete an OB/GYN residency at Northwestern University. Following residency, Dr. Lee completed her Fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the Emory Reproductive Center. Jacqueline Lee, a reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialist at Emory Reproductive Center. This week, we speak with Dr. Lee about her experience with pregnancy and parenthood during her fellowship years, and navigating job negotiations with a family and family planning in mind.
Click here to listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Hosts: Shannon Su and Megan Wasson
Editors: Megan Wasson
Producers: Shannon Su and Megan Wasson
Artwork: Shannon Su
Music: Bluedot SessionsIf you enjoyed this episode, please consider donating to our GoFundMe. This will help us pay for the editing software necessary to run this podcast. Thank you for your generosity!
Hosts: Megan Wasson and Shannon Su
Editors: Megan Wasson
Producers: Shannon Su and Megan Wasson
Artwork: Shannon Su
Music: Bluedot Sessions
The post Moms in Medicine: Balance with Dr. Lee first appeared on WISER Podcast.
Hi everyone! Welcome back to The WISER Podcast after our mid-season break. We are super excited to start this new series, called Moms in Medicine, to share with you the stories from our wonderful guests about residency, motherhood, and family as busy surgeons.
Our first guest is Dr. Melika Zarei Deaton. Dr. Deaton attended medical school at the Virginia Tech Carillon School of Medicine and has been at Emory for plastic surgery residency. She is currently a PGY5 and shares with us stories about her first pregnancy during residency, navigating a surgical residency as a mother, and her tips and tricks for others who may be in her shoes soon.
P.S. Listen to the very end for a surprise! Congrats, Dr. Deaton, and thank you for sharing this exciting news with us.
Hosts: Shannon Su and Megan Wasson
Editors: Megan Wasson
Producers: Shannon Su and Megan Wasson
Artwork: Shannon Su
Music: Bluedot SessionsClick here to listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider donating to our GoFundMe. This will help us pay for the editing software necessary to run this podcast. Thank you for your generosity!
Hosts: Shannon Su and Megan Wasson
Editors: Megan Wasson
Producers: Shannon Su and Megan Wasson
Artwork: Shannon Su
Music: Bluedot Sessions
Stay tuned for the rest of the series!
The post Moms in Medicine: Kicking it off with Dr. Deaton first appeared on WISER Podcast.
In this episode, we are honored to have Dr. Jennifer Kawwass with us on the podcast. Dr. Kawwass is joined by President and OBGYN hopeful Megan Wasson and Vice-President Rachel Holstein. Dr. Kawwass speaks with our team about the field of REI, the influence of social media on her patients, and her work in advocating for patients and residents.
Among her numerous roles and responsibilities, she serves as the division director of Reproductive Endocrinology at Emory University and director of the Emory Reproductive Center. Dr. Kawwass obtained her undergraduate degree at Davidson College where she split her time between studies and a division I sport. She went on to medical school in her home state of Virginia at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville and found her way to Atlanta for residency and fellowship training. She has received many accolades along the way including her role as Chief Resident and guest researcher for the CDC as well as her current engagements at the national level with the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) and the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).
Click here to listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Hosts: Megan Wasson and Rachel Holstein
Editors: Grace Nguyen and Megan Wasson
Producers: Shannon Su and Megan Wasson
Artwork: Shannon Su
Music: Bluedot Sessions
The post On Family Building & Wearing Hats with Dr. Kawwass first appeared on WISER Podcast.
On this episode, president Shannon Su and president emeritus Elizabeth Rieger are honored to host Dr. Betsy Grunch on the WISER podcast. Dr. Grunch is a neurosurgeon, mom, and “medfluencer” who speaks with us about her insane balancing act of being a mom and a physician, working social media, and what it’s like to be a physician in the spotlight.
Dr. Grunch is an esteemed Neurosurgeon and physician shareholder at the Longstreet Clinic, in Gainesville, Georgia, where she operates at both the Northeast Georgia Medical Center, and the Gainesville Surgical Center. She is a Georgia Native and attended the University of Georgia for her undergraduate degree, and the Medical College of Georgia for medical school. She then attended Duke University for her residency in Neurosurgery, and then spine fellowship. Dr. Grunch is also known as “Lady Spine Doc” on social media platforms, including Instagram and TikTok, where she has almost 2 million followers!
Click here to listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Hosts: Shannon Su and Elizabeth Rieger
Editors: Julia Byrnes
Producers: Shannon Su and Megan Wasson
Artwork: Shannon Su
Music: Bluedot SessionsHosts: Shannon Su and Elizabeth Rieger
Editors: Julia Byrnes
Producers: Shannon Su and Megan Wasson
Artwork: Shannon Su
Music: Bluedot Sessions
The post S6E4: @ladyspinedoc on The WISER Podcast! first appeared on WISER Podcast.
On this episode, president Shannon and president emeritus Lizzie are honored to host Dr. Betsy Grunch on the podcast. Dr. Grunch is a neurosurgeon, mom, “medfluencer” who speaks with us about her insane balancing act of social media, medicine, and family and the life of a surgeon in the spotlight.
Dr. Grunch is an esteemed Neurosurgeon and physician shareholder at the Longstreet Clinic, in Gainesville, Georgia, where she operates at both the Northeast Georgia Medical Center, and the Gainesville Surgical Center. She is a Georgia Native and attended the University of Georgia for her undergraduate degree, and the Medical College of Georgia for medical school. She then attended Duke University for her residency in Neurosurgery, and then spine fellowship. Dr. Grunch is also known as “Lady Spine Doc” on social media platforms, including Instagram and TikTok, where she has almost 2 million followers!
Click here to listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts instead.
Hosts: Megan Wasson, Shannon Su
Editors: Julia Byrnes
Producers: Shannon Su and Megan Wasson
Artwork: Shannon Su
Music: Bluedot SessionsHosts: Megan Wasson, Shannon Su
Editors: Julia Byrnes
Producers: Shannon Su and Megan Wasson
Artwork: Shannon Su
Music: Bluedot Sessions
Stay tuned for an exciting series coming up soon!
The post S6E4: @ladyspinedoc on The WISER Podcast! first appeared on WISER Podcast.
Welcome to episode 3 of season 6! In this episode, presidents Shannon and Megan speak with Dr. Jennifer Gross about her journey to becoming a head and neck surgeon and the intrigue of head and neck surgery.
Dr. Jennifer Gross is an Assistant Professor in Otolaryngology in the division of Head and Neck Surgery at Emory University. She is an Emory University School of Medicine graduate! Before attending medical school, she was awarded a national research scholarship to work at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). She also interned as a public health inspector at the Beijing Centers for Disease Control, China. Dr. Gross completed her otolaryngology residency at Washington University in St. Louis and her fellowship in head and neck oncologic surgery at the University of Miami. She has authored multiple research publications and book chapters.
Hosts: Megan Wasson, Shannon Su
Editors: Grace Nguyen
Producers: Shannon Su and Megan Wasson
Artwork: Shannon Su
Music: Bluedot SessionsHosts: Megan Wasson, Shannon Su
Editors: Grace Nguyen
Producers: Shannon Su and Megan Wasson
Artwork: Shannon Su
Music: Bluedot Sessions
Stay tuned for our next episode!
The post S6E3:On Head & Neck Surgery and Work-Life Balance with Dr. Jennifer Gross first appeared on WISER Podcast.
In this episode, our chief editor extraordinaire, Grace, hosts Dr. McKenzie Hollon on the WISER podcast. Dr. Hollon provides a peek into the wonderful world behind the drape, what it’s like to work and train as a cardiac anesthesiologist at a level one trauma center, and her foray into the realm of anesthesia education.
Dr. Hollon is an esteemed faculty member in the Department of Anesthesiology at Emory University Hospital who specializes in Cardiac Anesthesia. She is also the vice chair for education in the department of anesthesiology. Dr. Hollon obtained her undergraduate degree at Auburn University, and her medical degree from Louisiana State University. She completed both her residency and cardiac fellowship at Emory, and she currently serves as the Vice Chair of Education of Emory’s Anesthesia department.
Hosts: Grace Nguyen
Editors: Grace Nguyen, Megan Wasson
Producers: Shannon Su and Megan Wasson
Artwork: Harleen Kaur
Music: Bluedot SessionsHosts: Grace Nguyen
Editors: Grace Nguyen, Megan Wasson
Producers: Shannon Su and Megan Wasson
Artwork: Harleen Kaur
Music: Bluedot Sessions
Stay tuned for our next episode!
The post S6E2: Behind the Drape, with Dr. Hollon first appeared on WISER Podcast.
Welcome to season 6! In this episode, newly minted presidents Shannon Su and Megan Wasson interview Dr. Angela Cheng, a Plastic and Reconstructive Microsurgeon at Emory. Dr. Cheng provides insight into her experience as a woman in largely male-dominated fields, the significance of mentorship, and the importance of standing up for yourself and asking for what you deserve.
Dr. Cheng is an esteemed faculty in the Plastic Surgery Department at Emory University who specializes in breast reconstruction, microsurgery, lymphedema surgery, and body contouring. She is also Chief of Plastic Surgery at Grady Memorial Hospital and Assistant Program Director for the Plastic Surgery Residency Program at Emory. Dr. Cheng obtained both her undergraduate and medical degree from the University of Florida. She completed her general surgery residency at the University of Texas-Houston, followed by plastic surgery residency at the University of Virginia and a fellowship in breast and microsurgery at UT Southwestern.
Hosts: Shannon Su, Megan Wasson
Editors: Grace Nguyen, Jennifer Wang, Julia Byrnes, Shannon Su
Producers: Shannon Su and Megan Wasson
Artwork: Shannon Su
Music: Bluedot SessionsHosts: Shannon Su, Megan Wasson
Editors: Grace Nguyen, Jennifer Wang, Julia Byrnes, Shannon Su
Producers: Shannon Su and Megan Wasson
Artwork: Shannon Su
Music: Bluedot Sessions
Stay tuned for our next episode!
The post S6E1: Dr. Angela Cheng, on Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (and Asking for What You Deserve) first appeared on WISER Podcast.
In this episode, WISER president Lara Schwieger, and co-host Helen O’Leary interview Dr. Kirsten Freeman, a cardiovascular surgeon at the University of Florida. Dr. Freeman discusses her experiences training in hospitals around the country, touches on the pros and cons of integrated vs traditional residency pathways to CT surgery, and describes the transition from surgical trainee to attending.
Dr. Freeman completed medical school at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, then went on to do general surgery residency at the University of Colorado Denver and cardiothoracic surgery fellowship at the University of Florida. Dr. Freeman is currently an Assistant Professor in the Division of Cardiovascular Surgery at the University of Florida, and the Associate Program Director for the Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Integrated and Traditional Residency Training Programs.
Hosts: Lara Schwieger & Helen O’Leary
Editors: Grace Nguyen, Lucy Avant, Julia Byrnes
Producers: Lizzie Rieger & Lara Schwieger
Music: Blue Dot SessionsHosts: Lara Schwieger, Helen O’Leary
Editors: Grace Nguyen, Julia Byrnes, Lucy Avant
Producers: Lara Schwieger and Lizzie Rieger
Artwork: Victoria Mau
Music: Bluedot Sessions
The post S5E8: Dr. Kirsten Freeman, on Cardiovascular Surgery first appeared on WISER Podcast.
In this episode we interview Dr. Megan Tracci, vascular and endovascular surgeon at the University of Virginia, as well as the founder and co-medical director of the UVA Northridge Vein Clinic. Dr. Tracci is our first surgeon with a JD to be featured on the podcast! WISER president, Lizzie Rieger, and co-host Helen O’Leary team up to ask Dr. Tracci about being a dual MD-JD, health policy including her time as a fellow in the US senate, and vascular surgery.
Dr. Tracci graduated from the Medical Scholars Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with both a JD and MD, with an emphasis on health policy and patient safety. She went on to complete a residency in general surgery followed by a fellowship in vascular surgery at the University of Virgina. During her research years as a resident she worked as a legislative fellow for the United States senate.
https://wiserpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/S5E7-Megan-Tracci-MD-JD-on-Health-Policy.m4aHosts: Lizzie Rieger, Helen O’Leary
Editors: Grace Nguyen
Producers: Lizzie Rieger, Lara Schwieger
Music: Bluedot Sessions
Hosts: Lizzie Rieger, Helen O’Leary
Editors: Grace Nguyen
Producers: Lara Schwieger and Lizzie Rieger
Artwork: Victoria Mau
Music: Bluedot Sessions
The post S5E7: Dr. Megan Tracci, JD, MD, on Health Policy and Vascular Surgery first appeared on WISER Podcast.
In this episode we interview Dr. Laura Ramirez-Caban, a Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgeon and assistant professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Emory University Hospital. WISER third year medical students Shannon and Megan team up to ask Dr. Ramirez about minimally invasive gynecologic surgery (MIGS), a relatively new subspecialty in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Later, Dr. Ramirez discusses her passion for working with underserved populations and her experience as a new mom and surgeon.
Dr. Ramirez obtained her undergraduate degree from Drexel University, and her medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine. She completed residency at Emory University and a MIGS fellowship at Cleveland Clinic.
Hosts: Megan Wasson, Shannon SuEditors: Megan Wasson, Shannon Su, Grace NguyenProducers: Lizzie Rieger, Lara SchwiegerMusic: Bluedot SessionsHosts: Shannon Su, Megan Wasson
Editors: Shannon Su, Megan Wasson, Grace Nguyen
Producers: Lara Schwieger and Lizzie Rieger
Artwork: Victoria Mau
Music: Bluedot Sessions
The post S5E6: Dr. Laura Ramirez-Caban, on Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery first appeared on WISER Podcast.
In this episode, we interview Dr. Olamide Alabi, an assistant professor of surgery in the Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy at Emory University School of Medicine. Dr. Jessica Keilson, general surgery PGY4, and Dr. Emma Rooney, vascular surgery fellow, teamed up to discuss Dr. Alabi’s experiences in medical school, residency, and as a […]
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Allison Linden, an Assistant Professor of Surgery in the Division of Pediatric Surgery at Children’s Hospital of Atlanta. Katya Van Anderlecht and Sophia Stylianos (M4s) teamed up to discuss Dr. Linden’s experiences as a researcher and global surgeon in Rwanda and Uganda. Later, we talk about her many roles as ECMO director, pediatric surgeon, former critical care fellow, and public health scholar.
Dr. Linden attended Georgetown University for medical school and general surgery residency. During her residency sabbatical, she went on to Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health where she was a Paul Farmer Global Surgery Research Fellow and received her MPH degree with a concentration in global health and population. Dr. Linden has completed 3 fellowships, the first being a Pediatric Surgery critical care fellowship at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, the second, a Pediatric Surgery ECMO fellowship at the University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital, and finally a Pediatric Surgery fellowship at Thomas Jefferson Dupont Hospital for Children. Dr. Linden is now a pediatric surgeon here at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
Listen below:
Dr. Linden with her husband at Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.Dr. Linden with her daughter during fellowship.Hosts: Katya Van Anderlecht & Sophia Stylianos
Editor: Lizzie Rieger & Cameron Blount
Producers: Jessica Keilson, Katya Van Anderlecht, Sophia Stylianos, Cameron Blount, Julia Byrnes, and Francesca Giraudo
Music: Blue Dot Sessions
Citations:
Improving Employment and Working Conditions in Health Services: Report for discussion at the Tripartite Meeting on Improving Employment and Working Conditions in Health Services, Geneva, 24–28 April 2017, International Labour Office, Sectoral Policies Department, Geneva, ILO, 2017.
LeBrun DG, Chackungal S, Chao TE, Knowlton LM, Linden AF, Notrica MR, Solis CV, McQueen KA. Prioritizing essential surgery and safe anesthesia for the Post-2015 Development Agenda: operative capacities of 78 district hospitals in 7 low- and middle-income countries. Surgery. 2014 Mar;155(3):365-73. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2013.10.008. Epub 2013 Oct 11. PMID: 24439745.
Leider JP, Plepys CM, Castrucci BC, Burke EM, Blakely CH. Trends in the Conferral of Graduate Public Health Degrees: A Triangulated Approach. Public Health Reports. 2018;133(6):729-737. doi:10.1177/0033354918791542
Linden AF, Maine R, Hedt-Gauthier BL, Kamanzi E, Mody G, Ntakiyiruta G, Kansayisa G, Ntaganda E, Niyonkuru F, Mubiligi J, Mpunga T, Meara JG, Riviello R. Validation of a community-based survey assessing non-obstetric surgical conditions in Burera District, Rwanda. Lancet. 2015 Apr 27;385 Suppl 2:S8. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(15)60803-0. Epub 2015 Apr 26. PMID: 26313110.
Linden AF, Sekidde FS, Galukande M, Knowlton LM, Chackungal S, McQueen KA. Challenges of surgery in developing countries: a survey of surgical and anesthesia capacity in Uganda’s public hospitals. World J Surg. 2012 May;36(5):1056-65. doi: 10.1007/s00268-012-1482-7. PMID: 22402968.
Maine RG, Linden AF, Riviello R, Kamanzi E, Mody GN, Ntakiyiruta G, Kansayisa G, Ntaganda E, Niyonkuru F, Mubiligi JM, Mpunga T, Meara JG, Hedt-Gauthier BL. Prevalence of Untreated Surgical Conditions in Rural Rwanda: A Population-Based Cross-sectional Study in Burera District. JAMA Surg. 2017 Dec 20;152(12):e174013. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2017.4013. Epub 2017 Dec 20. PMID: 29071335; PMCID: PMC5831432.
Shrime MG, Sekidde S, Linden A, Cohen JL, Weinstein MC, Salomon JA. Sustainable Development in Surgery: The Health, Poverty, and Equity Impacts of Charitable Surgery in Uganda. PLoS One. 2016 Dec 30;11(12):e0168867. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0168867. PMID: 28036357; PMCID: PMC5201287.
In this episode, we are honored to be joined by Dr. Priscilla Strom, the first female graduate of the general surgery residency program at Emory University. She completed medical school at Emory in 1976, general surgery residency at Emory in 1981, and a trauma surgery fellowship at Emory University Affiliated Hospitals in 1982. She also holds master’s degrees in both theological studies and bioethics.
She is currently the interim Program Director at the general surgery program at Northeast Georgia Medical Center and practices in Gainesville, Georgia.
Lara and Cameron teamed up for this interview to ask about Dr. Strom’s missionary work in India, being the first female trainee at the Emory general surgery residency program, the ACGME implementation of the 80-hour work week, as well as asking advice for residents and fellows going through training now (from a program director!).
Hosts: Cameron Blount & Lara Schwieger
Editor: Cameron Blount
Producers: Jessica Keilson, Cameron Blount, & Lara Schwieger
Music: Blue Dot Sessions
In this episode, Cameron Blount (M4) and Lara Schwieger (M3) interview Dr. Frances (Francie) Jenkins! This episode focuses on advice for 4th-year medical students navigating application season, including ERAS tips, navigating virtual interviews, and formulating rank lists. Dr. Jenkins reflects on her intern year experiences and shares where she imagines herself and her career in the future. Finally, we ask about the best music for the OR, bonding with co-residents, and losing your car in the parking garage!
Dr. Frances Jenkins is a current PGY2 in the General Surgery Residency Program at Emory University. She completed her undergraduate studies at Princeton University and completed medical school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Hosts: Cameron Blount & Lara Schwieger
Editors: Cynthia Ramazani
Producer: Cameron Blount & Lara Schwieger
Music: Blue Dot Sessions
In this episode, we take a step back in time and focus on women throughout history that have gone against the grain and pursued their passions for surgery despite obstacles and opposition. These stories highlight how far we’ve come, and remind us that there is still more work to be done. Dr. Wang and Patience […]
Dr. Castater followed a unique path to becoming a trauma surgeon. From fine artist, to business school, to an unexpected trauma experience of her own that led her to medical school, Dr. Castater walks us through her journey. This episode offers perspectives on medicine as a second career, family transitions and balance, and how Dr. […]
In this episode, co-hosted with Audible Bleeding, Dr. Rockman, the Program Director of vascular surgery residency and fellowship and a professor of surgical research at NYU, walks us through her impressive research career, touching upon finding ways to fit research into a busy surgical lifestyle, her passion for trying to bridge the gap for underrepresented/marginalized […]
Dr. Caprice Greenberg is a renowned surgeon scientist and a true visionary in the world of health services research. In this episode, we make reference to two powerful talks of hers that made waves in the world of surgery. The first talk, called “Sticky Floors and Glass Ceilings”, was her 2017 Association for Academic Surgery […]
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness month, we are excited to be joined by Dr. Stephanie Drew, an incredible Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon and breast cancer survivor. Dr. Drew shares her cancer journey, the coincidence that led to her diagnosis, insights gained from being a physician-patient, and her experience living as a cancer survivor. We […]
It’s that time of year when newly minted graduates of surgical training programs start their first attending jobs! It’s an exciting time, but do you really know what to expect? And how do you go from years of pre-scripted training to finding the right first job? So, for our first episode of season 4, we […]
This mother-daughter special features Dr. Patricia Bortoluzzi, a craniofacial plastic surgeon in Montreal, and her daughter, Alex Speak, who just so happens to be our Producer here at WISER. In this episode, they discuss their roots in surgery, their mother-daughter dynamic, and the struggles in their respective journeys. Dr. Bortoluzzi, a first-generation Canadian of Italian […]
Before COVID times, one of our #beWISER events was on pregnancy and parenthood during surgical residency. Dr. Rima Rindler (Emory neurosurgery resident) and Dr. Emily Barrow (then Emory ENT resident, now faculty), came up with the idea of sharing their experiences and the many things they both wished they knew about having kids during residency. […]
Dr. Shipra Arya is seriously impressive – she graduated from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, one of the most prestigious medical schools in India (think: 60,000 applicants for 35 spots a year!), and at that time, was the only female student pursuing surgery. Early on, she knew that she wanted to come to the […]
Today, we are delighted to be presenting an interview with Dr. Leigh Neumayer. She visited Emory University last year to deliver General Surgery grand rounds, and we caught some of her valuable time to talk to her one-on-one. At this time, she was the University of Arizona College of Medicine, where she became their first female […]
Dr. Velazquez is the Vascular Fellowship Director and a faculty member at Wake Forest Health. She graduated from Universidad de Guadalajara in Guadalajara, Mexico, then completed a general surgery residency at Emory University and a vascular surgery fellowship at the University of Florida. Throughout her journey to becoming a vascular surgeon, Dr. Velazquez has demonstrated […]
The path to become a practicing surgeon is long and arduous. At the same time, it is also fairly regimented: 4+ years in medical school, 5+ years in residency, and then possibly a couple more in fellowship. Each step comes with a standardized process and timeline that we are used to pressing through. After you […]
In today’s episode, we hear from some Buckeyes! Our WISER co-founder, Vivian Wang (she/her/hers) is joined by JC Chen (they/them/theirs), a PGY2 from The Ohio State University, as they interview Dr. Courtney Collins (she/her/hers). In our conversation, we start to scratch the surface on the topic of LGBTQ+ in surgery. Dr. Collins is originally from […]
For our first episode of Season 3, we are sharing an insightful conversation with a Burns Boss, Dr. Juvonda Hodge. She is currently the Assistant Medical Director at the Grady Memorial Hospital Burn Center. Dr. Hodge sat down with us to discuss her unexpected path to becoming a burn surgeon, the continued need for mentorship […]
For our final episode of Season 2, we are excited to share our conversation with Dr. Maria (Marti) Russell, a surgical oncologist at Emory University and Grady Memorial Hospital. She delves into her unique (though often challenging) practice, as she operates both at Emory Midtown Hospital and at Grady Memorial Hospital. Dr. Russell shares a […]
Jane Hallman is an OR scrub tech who has been working at Emory for over two decades. She was born in Carrolton, GA, and initially became interested in the health field through her grandparents, who started a hospital. She ended up following her mother’s path and became a teacher. Jane taught preschool for many years […]
Dr. Shaneeta Johnson is a leader in all circles that she occupies. She is an Associate Professor of Surgery, Director of the Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery Program, and the Residency Associate Program Director at Morehouse School of Medicine. Dr. Johnson’s penchant for leadership is both natural and cultivated. In this episode, she talks about […]
Dr. Victoria Teodorescu (Dr. T) grew up in New Jersey, but really claims Nebraska as her home. Her summers as a child in Nebraska were spent chasing after cows, swimming in the irrigation ditches, and finding snakes in the backyard. Dr. T’s road to medicine definitely wasn’t straight. She knew she loved science and math, […]
This is the final episode of our mini-series on Ohio State University’s 4th Annual Women in Surgery Symposium! We hope you have enjoyed this series as much as we have – if so, we encourage you to join in person for their 5th Annual Symposium this fall. Dr. Kevin Pei, Director of Surgical Critical Care […]
This is episode 4 of 5 featuring the Ohio State University’s 4th Annual Women in Surgery Symposium, #HeforShe and #SheforShe: Redefining Surgical Culture. This panel, led by Dr. Anghela Paredes, a PGY2 general surgery resident, addresses obstacles in career transitions, from medical school to residency, to fellowship, and to your first job as junior faculty. Our […]
This is episode 3 of 5 featuring the Ohio State University’s 4th Annual Women in Surgery Symposium, #HeforShe and #SheforShe: Redefining Surgical Culture. Dr. Andrew Bernard, Chief of Trauma and Acute Surgery at University of Kentucky, speaks about equity, diversity, and inclusion in surgery. Do we still need this? Listen in to hear him give […]
This is episode 2 of 5 in our mini-series on Ohio State University’s 4th Annual Women in Surgery Symposium, #HeforShe and #SheforShe: Redefining Surgical Culture. Led by Dr. Chelsea Horwood, a PGY4 general surgery resident at OSU, this episode features panelists who are surgical leaders in their fields: Dr. Gail Besner, Chief of Pediatric Surgery […]
This episode is part 1 of 5 in a special mini-series featuring the Ohio State University’s 4th Annual Women in Surgery Symposium! Held in the fall of 2019, Dr. Sabrena Noria (OSU), the founder and director of the symposium, chose the theme of “#HeforShe and #SheforShe: Redefining Surgical Culture.” This episode is an overview of […]
Rachel Medbery, MD, and her husband Duane McLain, RN, share their story about flipping gender norms not only in their careers, but also within their marriage. The couple also discusses working relationships between nurses and doctors, and gives insight on how they respond to stereotypes and implicit biases from patients and coworkers. Dr. Medbery is […]
Tune into this episode of the WISER podcast to hear Dr. Amy Chen, otolaryngologist at Emory University, share her journey into medicine and how she juggles being a leader and innovator of the field of ENT while also being a mentor and supporter both inside and outside of the hospital. Residency Match: The 7 most competitive […]
Dr. Gabriele Miotto (IG: @drgabrielemiotto) shares her journey through plastic surgery, including an intercontinental move, a masters in education, and a humbling yet rewarding recertification process. She also shares budget-conscious beauty and skin care tips and products–this is an episode that you won’t want to miss!
Listen in to hear the self-dubbed “Trauma Mama” Dr. Randi Smith discuss the psychiatric impact of retained bullets, how trauma surgeons are at the frontlines of gun violence, and even a love story from Grady’s Trauma Bay One.
For our first episode of Season 2, we are excited to have our first guest from outside of the Emory network, Dr. Rebecca Minter. She is the current Chair of the Dept. of Surgery at the University of Wisconsin and and is renowned in the worlds of HPB surgery and surgical education. We interviewed Dr. Minter when […]
Listen in to hear Dr. Beth Willingham discuss her novel otolaryngology hospitalist service at Emory University Hospital, her transition from private practice back to academics, and a reflection on some of her most memorable patients thus far. Music in this episode is by Blue Dot Sessions and is available by Creative Commons licensing.
The gender gap in urology is one of the most staggering in all of medicine: only 8% of practicing urologists are women. On top of this, a 2017 study in the journal Urology showed that women are also disproportionately underrepresented in both educational and administrative leadership positions within urology–only 3% of department chairs, 8% of […]
Dr. Virginia Shaffer is a colorectal surgeon at Emory and the scientific director of the Emory Crohn’s and Colitis Center. Listen in to hear Dr. Shaffer discuss the role of managing expectations when fighting burnout, the importance of self-nomination within academic medicine, and her perspective on the future of IBD research. Select quotes below: “[Regarding […]
In Episode 7, we continue our conversation with Dr. Diane Payne, an Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Emory University School of Medicine and the Director of Hand Trauma at Grady Memorial Hospital, as we discuss gun violence in Atlanta. After completing her surgical training in Hawaii, where she treated one gun shot wound after […]
Dr. Payne first joined the world of medicine as a physical therapist. After practicing for 5 years, with the support of her family and a constant desire for the next challenge, she decided to return to medical school. With a strong background in rehab medicine and orthopedics she attempted to maintain an open mind but […]
Dr. Jahnavi Srinivasan grew up in El Paso, Texas, an arid climate reminiscent of her family’s roots in South India. While her father was an accomplished mathematician, she had no medical influences in her family growing up. She attended Northwestern University for a combined undergraduate/medical degree program, after which she spent two years in as […]
At the age of six, Dr. Mara Schenker began training in the Korean martial art of taekwondo. She continued studying and competing in taekwondo through college, reaching impressive milestones such as becoming a black belt as well as a world champion in the sport, before being sidelined by orthopedic injuries, ultimately requiring three separate hip […]
Dr. Carla Haack finished high school at 15, college at 19, and medical school at 23 years old. At an age when most students are just beginning med school, Dr. Haack moved from her home in Puerto Rico to Atlanta, Georgia to begin general surgery residency at Emory University. “My mom is the one who never […]
The daughter of a general surgeon in the San Francisco Bay Area, Dr. Styblo was no stranger to the world of surgery during childhood. While her father was logging long hours at the hospital, she matched his commitment as an aspiring dancer, practicing classical ballet throughout her youth and young adulthood. However, she turned down […]
Dr. Barbara Pettitt was the third woman ever to have been accepted as a surgical intern at LA County General Hospital. The first woman to join the program was a Catholic nun in the 1940s, who eventually dropped out of residency mid-way and returned to her convent. The second woman was a current senior resident […]