The Sett

Cognitive Debugging; Detecting Biases

Episode 23: Dr. Sara Holden

Sara Holden, a recently graduated chief resident here at the UW, sits down with our podcast host, Dr. Jonathan Kohler. They discuss the various cognitive biases that exist in medicine and how these biases relate to the way our brains are wired to think. Dr. Holden dives into the world of behavioral science to understand our mental processes and the ways in which these processes can be altered to better detect personal biases. Recorded 3/15/2017

The Importance of Mentorship and Collaboration in Medicine

Episode 22: Dr. Ronald Maier

In this episode, guest host Daniel Abbott sits down with Dr. Ronald Maier, a trauma surgery researcher from the University of Washington. They discuss the importance of mentorship in medicine, how to be a better mentor, and the importance of a collaborative work environment for innovation. We hope you enjoy! Recorded 2/15/2017

Innovations in Liquid Ventilation and the Future of Surgical Simulation

Episode 21: Dr. Ronald Hirschl

In this episode, we’ll be talking with Dr. Ronald Hirschl, the Arnold G. Coran Collegiate Professor of Pediatric Surgery and the Head of the Department of Pediatric Surgery at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital at the University of Michigan. Dr. Hirschl will be discussing some of his research on liquid ventilation and artificial lungs, two topics that seem to come straight out of a Sci-Fi movie! In addition, Dr. Hirschl will be addressing some of the recent changes in the realm of surgical training and will be elaborating on some exciting innovations in this field, like surgical simulators. Recorded 1/11/17

Emergency General Surgery Transfers and Improving Patient Outcomes

Episode 20: Dr. Angela Ingraham

In this episode, host Dr. Jonathan Kohler will be talking with Dr. Angela Ingraham, a trauma and acute care surgeon here at UW- Madison. You may recognize her voice from her role as an occasional guest host for the Surgery Sett, only this time the roles are reversed!

Dr. Ingraham is currently conducting research on trauma and emergency general surgery in order to develop quality indicators for EGS patients. She’ll be discussing some of her discoveries pertaining to emergency general surgery transfers and will explain some of the potential options for improving these patient outcomes. We hope you enjoy!

Recorded 12/7/16

Topics Surrounding Vaginal Agenesis and Reconstruction

Episode 19: Dr. Christine Heisler

In this episode we’ll hear from Dr. Christine Heisler, an assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Genecology at UW Madison. Dr. Heisler will be discussing vaginal agenesis, a disorder that affects roughly 1 in 5000 women. She’ll delve into this multifaceted issue and discuss the various reconstruction and treatment options available for women with this condition. Recorded 11/16/16

The Need for Surgical Residency Redesign

Episode 18: Dr. David Mercer

In this episode, guest host Dr. Angela Ingraham, a trauma and acute care surgeon at the University of Wisconsin, talks with Dr. David Mercer. Dr. Mercer is the McLaughlin Professor and Chairman at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and is a Trauma and Critical Care Surgery Specialist with an interest in resident education. The two discuss the hot topic of residency redesign and delve into a few of the pressing questions concerning the future of resident training. Dr. Mercer’s tenured experience, paired with Dr. Ingraham’s recent resident perspective make for unique conversation on this incredibly relevant topic. We hope you enjoy! Recorded 11/9/2016

Discussions Around Surgical Burnout

Episode 17: Dr. David Rothenberger

In this episode, we hear from Dr. David Rothenberger the Jay Phillips Professor and Chairman of the Department of Surgery at the University of Minnesota, and longtime colorectal surgeon and cancer researcher. Dr. Rothenberger discusses the pressing issue of surgical burnout and the fact that upwards of 40% of physicians have experienced this daunting phenomenon in their careers. In addition, he provides insight on the causes of burn out, and offers his advice on how to effectively combat this issue. Recorded 10/26/2016

Investigations into Parkinson’s Disease

Episode 16: Dr. Michelle Ciucci

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Michelle Ciucci, an associate professor at UW-Madison in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders with a joint appointment in the Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Ciucci discusses her research on Parkinson’s Disease and covers a broad spectrum of topics related to her work. She makes note of potential signs of early onset, and explains the research that suggests that this disease starts much earlier than was previously thought. Recorded 8/25/2016

#ILookLikeASurgeon

Episode 15: Dr. Susan Pitt

In this special edition of the Surgery Sett, host Jonathan Kohler sits down with Dr. Susan Pitt, an Assistant Professor in the Division of Endocrine Surgeon here at UW, who’s received a lot of media attention lately. Earlier this month (April 2017), Dr. Pitt made waves when she decided to recreate the cover of The New Yorker’s annual Health, Medicine & the Body Issue, which features four female surgeons standing over an operating table. She posted her recreation to Twitter on April 3, and invited others to join her with #NYerORCoverChallenge. Within days, the tweet caught fire and female surgeons from around the world began posting their own versions of the cover along with #ILookLikeASurgeon. This viral movement has empowered female surgeons to express solidarity and increase their visibility in a traditionally male-dominated field. Currently at the UW Department of Surgery, 20 of 38 general surgeons are female. This is significantly higher than the national average of surgeons who are female, which sits around 19% according the American Medical Association. In this episode, Dr. Pitt will delve into some of the specifics of this social media frenzy, and discuss her rational behind the posting. We hope you enjoy! Recorded 4/20/17

Exploring Ways to Control Pain

Episode 14: Dr. Alaa Abd-Elsayed

Dr. Alaa Abd-Elsayed, or Dr. Al, as he likes to be called, is both an assistant professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at UW, as well as the medical director of the UW Pain Services and the Chronic Pain Management Program. Dr. Al discusses the various facets of pain management, including pre and postoperative options, and the concerns surrounding the current pain management system. In addition, Dr. Al explains why he thinks transitional pain clinics are the future of pain management and notes some of the added benefits that a clinic could bring to both surgeons and patients here in Madison.  Recorded 9/28/16