The Sett

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 

Discovering New Ways to Combat Burns

Episode 13: Dr. Angela Gibson

In this episode we hear from Dr. Angela Gibson, an assistant professor of surgery in the Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, and a member of the care team at the UW Health Burn Center. Dr. Gibson talks about her passion for treating burn victims and discusses her journey from registered nurse to certified burn surgeon. In addition, she goes through some of the recent innovations in burn treatment and elaborates on a few of the experiences she’s had while running her own burn treatment lab. Recorded 8/25/16    

Cancer Researcher Shares Years of Experience

Episode 12: Dr. James Economou

In this episode, guest host, Dr. Daniel Abbott, a surgical oncologist and health sciences researcher at UW- Madison, speaks with Dr. James Economou, professor of surgery and division chief of surgical oncology at UCLA. Dr. Economou has studied cancer treatment for more than two decades and has acquired a vast trove of wisdom along the way. The two discuss how Dr. Economou first became interested in cancer care, and examine the ways that cancer immunology research has brought us closer to finding a cure for this disease. Recorded 9/21/16

The Cutting Edge of Endoscopic Surgery

Episode 11: Dr. Amber Shada

In this episode, Dr. Amber Shada, an assistant professor at UW-Madison in the Division of Minimally Invasive Surgery, talks about her experiences in endoscopic surgery and discusses the procedure Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) and its unique relevance to surgeons. In addition, Dr. Shada also explores the future of endoscopic surgery and the exciting potential of robotic platforms. We hope you enjoy! Recorded 9/7/2016

Doctor and Writer: Two Careers, Two Perspectives

Episode 10: Pauline Chen

In this episode, guest host Dr. Angela Ingraham, a trauma and acute care surgeon at the University of Wisconsin, talks with physician, bestselling author, and New York Times columnist, Dr. Pauline Chen. The two chat about Dr. Chen’s careers as both a clinician and writer and discuss how she’s been able to balance them both within her life. Dr. Chen also highlights the importance of being a role model for residents and the positive impacts this can have on future generations. Recorded 10/12/16