Episode 16: Dr. Andrea Hayes-Jordan

Dr. Andrea Hayes-Jordan is the Byah Thomason Doxey-Sanford Doxey Distinguished Professor, and Chief of the Division of General Pediatric Surgery at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. She is also the surgeon-in-chief at the North Carolina Children’s Hospital, as well as the first board-certified Black female pediatric surgeon in the United States, and the first person to perform pediatric HIPEC surgery for sarcomatosis. She joins Dr. Mezrich to share her journey through these accomplishments, her experience as an aspiring Black female surgeon, and how she prioritizes the many elements of her life.

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Episode 15: Chancellor Rebecca “Becky” Blank

Rebecca “Becky” Blank has been the chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison since 2013. It only takes a glance at her Curriculum Vitae to understand that her journey to the position is one of great impact and innovation. Before becoming the chancellor at UW-Madison, Blank was the deputy secretary and acting Secretary of Commerce under President Obama, a member of the Council of Economic Advisers under President Clinton, dean and professor of public policy and economics in the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan, and served on the faculty at Northwestern and Princeton Universities–just to scratch the surface. She joins Dr. Mezrich to discuss her history in economics and academia, her experience as chancellor at UW-Madison, and her perspective on some of the larger questions her role pushes her to ask herself.

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Episode 14: Dr. Allan Kirk

Dr. Allan Kirk of Duke University is the David C. Sabiston, Jr. Professor of Surgery, chairman of the department of surgery, a professor of immunology and pediatrics, among many other accomplishments (including his former career as a tuba player). He joins Dr. Mezrich to discuss his history in transplant surgery, the first time he met his wife in sixth grade, how innovation itself has changed over time, and the future of transplant.

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Episode 13: Dr. Rana Awdish

At the end of her medical training, Dr. Rana Awdish suffered a sudden critical illness that nearly killed her. From this experience as a dying patient, Dr. Awdish’s perspective shifted and translated to her practice in crucial ways. She learned the importance of acknowledging the humanity of patients, of nuance in how doctors discuss pain, of relinquishing the pressure to be a “good patient,” and much more. She was able to implement these ideas and form the CLEAR (Connect, Listen, Empathize, Align, Respect) program, which teaches faculty and trainees relationship-based communication skills through workshops involving improvisational actors.

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Episode 12: Dr. Layton “Bing” Rikkers

Dr. Bing Rikkers was born in a small town in Wisconsin, attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison for his undergraduate career, and now holds a special place in the University of Wisconsin Department of Surgery’s history as a prominent past chairman. Dr. Rikkers shares how he overcame his fear of blood, the pioneering days of heart transplant, his lengthy experience as a chairman, his insecurities, and serendipity.

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A Tribute to Dr. John Daly

Dr. John Daly, the dean of Temple University’s Lewis Katz School of Medicine, passed away on Friday, March 26, 2021 at the age of 73. Dr. Daly touched the lives of so many in and out of the world of surgery. In this tribute, Dr. Mezrich provides a window into his life through an interview he had with Dr. Daly a couple of years ago, as well as his own experiences with him. Our hearts go out to Dr. Daly’s family, and all affected by passing.

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Episode 11: Dr. Gretchen Schwarze

Dr. Gretchen Schwarze is a vascular surgeon and medical ethicist here at the University of Wisconsin Department of Surgery. Dr. Schwarze has a deep background and interest in how surgeons communicate treatment decisions and recommendations to patients. Dr. Schwarze has made it her mission to better equip surgeons in their disclosure of treatment so that it most aligns with the values, preferences, and goals of their patients. In this episode, she discusses how her purpose of changing the world brought her to surgery, the life of a resident, and the many components of surgical ethics...oh yeah, and what it’s like to be married to Josh.

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Episode 10: Dr. Jeff Matthews

Dr. Jeff Matthews is the chairman of surgery at the University of Chicago, and serves as a leader in many organizations in the surgical world. He joins Dr. Mezrich on the podcast to discuss how to set up a research lab, the progress of surgical training, the direction of surgical science, truth and truthiness regarding evidence-based practice, and his experience in making music! Dr. Matthews provides insight and advice for those invested in the future of surgery, and anyone who is trying to find their place in the world.

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Episode 9: Dr. Bruce Gewertz

Dr. Bruce Gewertz is the Chair of the Department of Surgery, Surgeon-in-Chief, Vice-Dean for Academic Affairs, and Vice-president for Interventional Services at Cedars-Sinai Health System. In realizing the value of emotional intelligence, Dr. Gewertz has made it his mission to share the impact emotional intelligence can have in the hospital. However, Dr. Mezrich knows Dr. Gewertz best as an inspiring and warm soul who supported his development as a surgeon. Dr. Gewertz shares what emotional intelligence looks like, and how his unique path in the field forced him to learn such difficult lessons.

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Episode 8: Dr. Robert Montgomery

It is difficult to choose an accolade that best describes Dr. Robert Montgomery. Some might say he is the director of the NYU Langone Transplant Institute. Some might point to his many awards, including being in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most kidney transplants performed in one day. Today, however, he sits down with Dr. Mezrich to discuss his own heart transplant, and his resilience in the face of familial dilated cardiomyopathy. Despite the hurdles of this rare disease, he has found a way to achieve his dreams by staying calm to avoid arrhythmias...which he has technically died from twice.

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Episode 7: John Gadau

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the feeling of sitting in a booth with your loved ones to enjoy a meal and share a laugh has become borderline nostalgic. Despite the obstacles, many in the restaurant industry have found ways to successfully overcome and adapt, while others have been forced to close their doors for good. John Gadau is a master of his craft. He is the owner of three restaurants in the Madison area: Marigold Kitchen, Gates & Brovi, and Sardine. He sits down with Josh to discuss his lengthy experience in the industry, what restaurants will look like in the future, and the similarities between being a chef and being a surgeon.

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