The House of Surgery

This episode features Edward E. Cornwell, MD, FACS, a trauma surgeon from Washington, DC, who delivered the Scudder Oration on Trauma at Clinical Congress 2023.

In his lecture, “Trauma Care: The Vehicle, the Barometer, the Original Yardstick for Equal Care in America,” Dr. Cornwell uses some historically significant cases to describe how trauma surgery has the unique power to transcend barriers. 

Talk about the podcast on social m...

In this episode, the Medical Director for ACS Cancer Programs—Ronald J. Weigel, MD, PhD, MBA, FACS—talks with three of his colleagues— Daniel Boffa, MD, FACS, Laurie J. Kirstein, MD, FACS, Timothy W. Mullett, MD, FACS—about the recent successful ACS Cancer Conference in Austin, Texas. In addition to the key insights and lessons learned from the conference, they also discuss new opportunities for clinica...

This episode features Tracy L. Hull, MD, FACS, a colorectal surgeon from Cleveland, Ohio, who gave the Abcarian Lecture at Clinical Congress 2023. In her lecture, “Things I wish I Had Known at the Start of My Journey,” Dr. Hull shares 10 important career lessons, including publishing early, getting the right mentor, putting family first, and finding your niche.  

Talk about the podcast on social media using the hashtag #HouseofSu...

This episode features Ewen M. Harrison, OBE, MB, ChB, MSc, PhD, a hepatobiliary and transplant surgeon from Edinburgh, Scotland, who gave the Distinguished Lecture of the International Society of Surgery at Clinical Congress 2023. In his lecture, “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Global Surgery,” Dr. Harrison talks about using AI to enhance precision care through prediction and democratize surg...

In this episode, two retired Navy captains reflect on the benefits and challenges of careers as military surgeons. They also provide considerations for transitioning from a military to a civilian surgical career.  

Capt. (Ret.) Richard Sharpe, MD, FACS, MC, USN, is a general surgeon specializing in trauma and surgical critical care. He is the chief of surgery at St. Luke’s Warren Hospital in Phillipsburg, NJ. 

Capt. (Ret.) Gord...

This episode features Frederick G. Barker II, MD, FACS, a neurosurgeon from Boston, Massachusetts, who delivered the Charles G. Drake History of Surgery Lecture at Clinical Congress 2023. His lecture, “Pathologies of the Surgical Image in Modern American Popular Culture,” begins with a sensational neuroscience case from the 19th century and pivots to sensational portrayals of surgeons in the literature,...

This episode features a fireside chat with Anton Sidawy, MD, MPH, FACS, past Chair of the ACS Board of Regents and current Lewis B. Saltz Chair and Professor of Surgery at George Washington University Medical Center in Washington, DC. Dr. Sidawy reflects on his career as a vascular surgeon, researcher, teacher, and leader. The program host is Dr. Mohsen Shabahang for the ACS Academy of Master Surgeon Ed...

In this episode, the Medical Director of ACS Trauma Quality Programs—Avery B. Nathens, MD, PhD, FACS—talks with two of his trauma colleagues—Anne G. Rizzo, MD, FACS, and Bryce Robinson, MD, MS, FACS—about the recent successful Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) meeting in Louisville, Kentucky. In addition to the key insights and lessons learned from TQIP, they also discuss a new guidance document...

This episode features Susan E. Mackinnon, MD, FACS, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon from St. Louis, Missouri, who gave the Olga M. Jonasson Lecture at Clinical Congress 2023. In her lecture, “Phoenix Rising: The Culture of Surgery—A Paradigm Shift,” Dr. Mackinnon discusses the concept of energy leadership, a seven-level strategy that can transform how an individual interacts with—and ultimately—leads teams.  

Talk about the ...

This episode features Bartley P. Griffith, MD, FACS, FRCS, a cardiothoracic surgeon from Baltimore, Maryland, who delivered the John H. Gibbon Jr. Lecture at ACS Clinical Congress 2023. In his lecture, “What’s New May Be Old: Xenotransplantation,” Dr. Griffith shares details about the more than 50-year history of xenotransplantation, including his recent experiences with two human xenotransplants of genetically modified pig hearts....

This episode features a fireside chat with ACS Past President Julie Freischlag, MD, FACS, who is the chief executive officer of Advocate Health and executive vice president for health affairs at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Dr. Freischlag talks about her career progression, lessons learned, work-life integration, and more. The program host is Mohsen Shabahang, MD, PhD, FACS, for the ACS Academy of Master...

This episode features M. Margaret “Peggy” Knudson, MD, FACS, a trauma surgeon from San Francisco, California, who delivered the Excelsior Surgical Society/Edward D. Churchill Lecture at ACS Clinical Congress 2023. Her lecture, “Service, Synergy, and Surgical Mythology,” describes her experiences with the military, the synergy between military and civilian surgeons, and some myths about treatment of the injured. Dr. Knudson cedes so...

This episode features a fireside chat with ACS President E. Christopher Ellison, MD, FACS, about his career and life lessons. Dr. Ellison is the Robert M. Zollinger Professor of Surgery Emeritus at The Ohio State University College of Medicine in Columbus. He previously served as chair of the Department of Surgery, interim dean at the OSU College of Medicine, and president and CEO of the OSU Physicians ...

In this episode, Dr. Steven Wexner talks with Dr. Tim Mullett, Chair of the ACS Commission on Cancer (CoC), about recent activities and accomplishments of the CoC, how everyone can get involved in cancer prevention and cancer care initiatives, upcoming changes to the National Cancer Database, and cancer program content that will be presented at the upcoming ACS Clinical Congress in Boston this October.

This episode features a fireside chat with Dr. Timothy Eberlein about his career and life lessons. Dr. Eberlein is the director of the Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Olin Distinguished Professor, and Senior Associate Dean of the Cancer Programs at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and the University of Washington Medical Center in Saint Louis. He also is Chair of the ACS Board of Regents and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the American Col...

This episode features Dr. Edward Partridge, a professor emeritus from the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama Birmingham and Chief Medical Office of Guideway Care. Dr. Partridge delivered the ACS Commission on Cancer Oncology Lecture during Clinical Congress 2022, reflecting on the 100-year anniversary of the C-o-C and addressing ways to decrease healthcare disparities in canc...

This episode features Dr. Bruce Schirmer, a bariatric surgeon from Charlottesville, Virginia, who delivered the inaugural Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Lecture during Clinical Congress 2022. In his talk, “Don’t Stop Now,” Dr. Schirmer discusses the progress of bariatric surgery over the past 40 years and encourages more work to understand the disease of obesity.

View the 202...