Shows / The Rural American Surgeon
The Rural American Surgeon
Welcome to ”The Rural American Surgeon,” a podcast series dedicated to providing insights, resources, and a community for the surgeons of rural America. Your host, Randy Lehman, is an established authority on the multifaceted aspects of rural surgery—from the unique professional benefits and challenges, rural surgical training paradigms, current reimbursement landscape, and how to create triple win opportunities for sustainable rural surgery in partnerships with hospitals and rural communities…
Episodes
- The Rural American Surgeon
He Was Performing Esophagectomies in a Small-Town Hospital
We're revisiting a conversation from The Rural American Surgeon archives with Dr. Gary Timmerman, exploring what it takes to perform complex surgery in a rural…
- The Rural American Surgeon
When Skin Cancer Surgery Gets Complicated: Mohs & Skin Grafts
We're revisiting a conversation from The Rural American Surgeon archives that tackles some of the most practical decisions general surgeons face when treating…
- The Rural American Surgeon
Why This Experienced Surgeon Never Used Nerve Monitoring in Thyroid Surgery (Part 2)
Dr. Ronald Weigel returns for Part 2 of his conversation with host Dr. Randy Lehman on The Rural American Surgeon. The discussion continues with a practical…
- The Rural American Surgeon
Can Rural Hospitals Really Provide the Same Quality Cancer Care? (Part 1)
Dr. Ronald Weigel joins host Dr. Randy Lehman on The Rural American Surgeon to discuss the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer’s new rural…
- The Rural American Surgeon
The Rural Surgeon’s Guide to Treating Pilonidal Disease
Dr. Levi Smucker joins host Dr. Randy Lehman on The Rural American Surgeon to discuss his path to rural general surgery, from growing up in Pennsylvania and…
- The Rural American Surgeon
What Rural Surgeons Need That Most Residencies Don’t Teach
Dr. Joon Shim, program director at Bassett Healthcare in Cooperstown, New York, joins host Dr. Randy Lehman and Jacob on The Rural American Surgeon to discuss…
- The Rural American Surgeon
Why Rural Surgeons Can’t Afford to Be Too Specialized (Part 2)
Stuart Ferguson returns for part two of his conversation on The Rural American Surgeon to explore the practical realities of providing urologic and general…
- The Rural American Surgeon
Why Rural Surgeons Can’t Afford to Be Too Specialized (Part 1)
Stuart Ferguson, a consultant general surgeon in Scotland’s remote Shetland Islands, joins The Rural American Surgeon to discuss what it takes to practice…
- The Rural American Surgeon
What Does a Rural Surgeon Actually Need to Know?
Dr. Amiri, program director at Marshall University, and fourth year surgery resident David Kanarowski join The Rural American Surgeon to discuss Marshall’s…
- The Rural American Surgeon
Are You Really Ready to Be the Only Surgeon in the Room?
Dr. Anne O’Rourke, program director at the University of Wisconsin, joins The Rural American Surgeon to discuss how UW’s rural surgery track prepares general…
- The Rural American Surgeon
Training Miniseries 3: Dr. Frank Wood and Dr. Barclay Stewart
Our “Training the Rural Surgeon” miniseries continues as Dr. Randy Lehman and Jacob Steffen are joined by Dr. Frank Wood from the University of Oklahoma and…
- The Rural American Surgeon
Training Miniseries 2: Dr. Mariela Rivera
Our “Training the Rural Surgeon” miniseries continues as Dr. Randy Lehman and Jacob Steffen are joined by Dr. Mariela Rivera, Program Director at Mayo Clinic…
- The Rural American Surgeon
Training Miniseries 1: Dr. Mel Johnson and Dr. Lauren Dudas
Our “Training the Rural Surgeon” miniseries begins with Dr. Randy Lehman joined by medical student Jacob Steffen, Dr. Mel Johnson from Gundersen, and Dr…
- The Rural American Surgeon
Why Great Surgical Residents Prepare Before They Feel Ready | Jacob Steffen Pt. 2
The operating room rewards preparation long before it rewards confidence. In Part Two of this conversation, Dr. Randy Lehman continues mentoring medical…
- The Rural American Surgeon
How Responsibility Turns Students Into Surgeons | Jacob Steffen Pt. 1
In surgery, responsibility comes before confidence.Medical students entering a Sub I are expected to manage patients, present clearly, stay organized, and earn…
- The Rural American Surgeon
A Father-Daughter Conversation About Rural Surgery & Real Life
Today Dr. Lehman sits down with the most special guest, his daughter Charlotte. And this time, she’s in the host seat asking the hard-hitting questions! She…
- The Rural American Surgeon
What It Actually Takes to Build a Sustainable Locums Career | Megan Hoot of CompHealth
Locums surgery is often treated as temporary coverage, but many rural hospitals rely on it to maintain consistent access to care. Surgeons step in without…
- The Rural American Surgeon
The Reality of Practicing Alone | Dr. Scott Nelson
In rural surgery, there’s no “waiting until you feel ready.” There’s only action, because sometimes you’re the only one. Dr. Scott Nelson, a colorectal surgeon…
- The Rural American Surgeon
Why Some Fit Rural Practice and Others Don’t | Dr. Jesse Van Maanen
In rural surgery, not everyone fits the environment the same way. The work doesn’t slow down, and the community expects you to stay, serve, and carry…
- The Rural American Surgeon
Defining Your Value & Protecting Your Time in Rural Surgery | Dr. Cate Straub Pt. 2
A complex operation only works if it can be executed reliably inside the system you have. In this Part Two episode, Dr. Randy Lehman continues with Dr. Cate…
- The Rural American Surgeon
Selection, Systems, and Outcomes in Rural Whipple Surgery | Dr. Cate Straub Pt. 1
She started with one distal pancreatectomy alongside a senior partner and built a referral base by handing out her personal phone number across rural…
- The Rural American Surgeon
Why Rural Surgeons Maintain the Broadest Scope of Practice with Dr. Bob Sticca
In rural surgery, you are often the one covering problems that would be handled by multiple specialists elsewhere. Today Dr. Randy Lehman speaks with Dr. Bob…
- The Rural American Surgeon
Building a High Quality Rural Breast Surgery Program with Dr. Jill Ties
Rural patients shouldn’t receive lesser care simply because of geography. Delivering that standard takes intentional systems, good data, and the right team…
- The Rural American Surgeon
Keeping Up Without Wasting Resources in Rural Surgery with Dr. Steven Bodney
Rural practice can feel isolating, especially when you’re the only surgeon in the building… Dr. Randy Lehman sits down with Dr. Steven Bodney, former ACS…
- The Rural American Surgeon
Setting Goals as a Surgeon: Building Direction, Discipline, and Financial Freedom
Today Dr. Randy Lehman reflects on the practices he employs to live a life of intention, including conferences, family rhythms, financial tracking, and the…
- The Rural American Surgeon
The Real Tradeoffs Between Robotic & Laparoscopic Surgery | Dr. Amy Vertrees Pt. 2
Which is better, robotic or laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair? In this Part Two episode, Dr. Randy Lehman is joined again by Dr. Amy Vertrees, founder of the…
- The Rural American Surgeon
Why Confidence & Judgment Matter More Than Fellowships in Rural Surgery | Dr. Amy Vertrees Pt. 1
Today, Dr. Randy Lehman sits down with a surgeon who traded stability for autonomy. Dr. Amy Vertrees, an Army-trained general surgeon who built a thriving…
- The Rural American Surgeon
What I Wish I Knew in Med School: A Conversation with Baylor’s Student Surgical Society
Is it possible to build a surgical practice from scratch…on your terms…in the hometown you dreamed of serving? Dr. Randy Lehman is proof that it is, and he’s…
The Rural American SurgeonMoney Miniseries 8: When The Dream Doesn’t Go As Planned…
What happens when the plan…doesn’t pan out? In the final episode of the Money Miniseries, Dr. Randy Lehman shares a behind-the-scenes look at launching Liberty…
The Rural American SurgeonEarly Detection, Better Outcomes: Lung and Esophageal Cancer with Dr. Shanda Blackmon
In this episode of The Rural American Surgeon, host Dr. Randy Lehman is joined by renowned thoracic surgeon Dr. Shanda Blackmon. With a career spanning MD…
The Rural American SurgeonMoney Miniseries 7: How I Talk to My Kids About Money
We all want to set our kids up for success, but that doesn't just mean tossing them a pile of money. In this episode, Dr. Randy Lehman shares how he talks to…
The Rural American SurgeonThe Truth About Surgical Responsibility with Dr. Adrian Sava
What happens when a seasoned Swedish surgeon shares his global perspective on bariatrics, rural surgery, and the personal cost of a life in the OR? In this…
The Rural American SurgeonMoney Miniseries 6: Legacy
In today’s installment of the Money Miniseries, Dr. Randy Lehman takes a personal turn into the topic of legacy and what it means to give well. This isn’t just…
The Rural American SurgeonWhy This Family Doctor Does C-Sections with Dr. Brogan Bahler
A family doc taking on surgery in rural America? That’s what Dr. Brogan Bahler is doing as a rural family physician who has carved out a full-scope OBGYN…
The Rural American SurgeonMoney Miniseries 5: Efficiency
What does it really mean to be efficient? In this fifth installment of the Money Miniseries, Dr. Randy Lehman takes us deep into the philosophy and practical…
The Rural American SurgeonE45: Nasty Gallbladders and Negotiating Contracts | Dr. Seung Gwon (Part 2)
What do you do when the gallbladder just won’t behave—and the duct isn't clear? In Part 2 of our conversation, Dr. Randy Lehman and Dr. Seung Gwon get deep…
The Rural American SurgeonE44: Nasty Gallbladders and Negotiating Contracts | Dr. Seung Gwon (Part 1)
What if you could design your own job out of residency…and make it stick for 20 years? In Part 1 of this two-part episode, Dr. Randy Lehman sits down with Dr…
The Rural American SurgeonE43: Money Miniseries 4: Our “Secret Weapon” Tax Strategy (My Wife)
In this episode of the Money Miniseries, Dr. Randy Lehman sits down with a very special guest—his wife, Brittaney—to share the tax strategy that’s become a…
The Rural American SurgeonE42: ERCP Up Close: A Fellow’s Guide to Advanced Endoscopy | Dr. Benji Smith
What happens when you're learning one of surgery's most technical procedures from a living legend? Dr. Benji Smith, an advanced endoscopy fellow training under…
The Rural American SurgeonE41: Money Miniseries 3: Investing
What if the biggest ROI isn’t measured in dollars, but in freedom? In this third installment of his finance miniseries, Dr. Randy Lehman unpacks what it really…
The Rural American SurgeonE40: Bringing Robotics to Rural Alabama with Dr. Quince Gibson
What happens when you bring cutting-edge robotic surgery to one of the poorest regions in America? Host Dr. Randy Lehman welcomes Dr. Quince Gibson, a…
The Rural American SurgeonE39: Money Miniseries 2: Freedom in Frugality
Beyond the 'why' of money lies the 'how'—and it starts with a practical paradox most doctors never hear: the less you need, the richer you become. What if the…
The Rural American SurgeonE38: The Colonoscopy Chronicles with Dr. Dan Margo
What happens when you're the only surgeon for hundreds of miles and every decision matters? Host Dr. Randy Lehman welcomes Dr. Dan Margo, a seasoned rural…
The Rural American SurgeonE37: Money Miniseries 1: What's the Point? Why Money Means Nothing Without Purpose
Introducing a new miniseries on money—starting with the question beneath the dollars: What’s the point? Before we talk finance, we’re digging into foundations…
The Rural American SurgeonE36: Saving a Dying Hospital with Dr. Manu Kaushik
What happens when a rural hospital loses its only surgeon and faces closure? Host Dr. Randy Lehman welcomes Dr. Manu Kaushik, who stepped in to save a dying…
The Rural American SurgeonE35: Carotid Endarterectomy Mastery with Dr. Michael Roskos
How do you perform a carotid endarterectomy with confidence while ensuring patient safety in a rural setting? Host Dr. Randy Lehman welcomes Dr. Michael…
The Rural American SurgeonE34: Rural Surgery on the Cutting Edge with Dr. Greg Gerrish
What does it take to bring advanced foregut surgery to a rural hospital? Host Dr. Randy Lehman sits down with Dr. Greg Gerrish, a third-generation surgeon…
The Rural American SurgeonE33: Bariatric Breakthroughs in Rural America with Dr. Kabir Mehta
What happens when Mayo Clinic precision meets small-town grit? Dr. Randy Lehman sits down with Dr. Kabir Mehta, who never expected to land in Hazard…
The Rural American SurgeonE32: The Art of Adaptability in Rural Surgery with Dr. P.J. Reddy
What does it take to thrive as a rural surgeon for over four decades? Host Dr. Randy Lehman welcomes Dr. P.J. Reddy, a most adaptable and resourceful rural…
The Rural American SurgeonE31: The Privilege of Practicing Back at Home with Dr. Gary Timmerman
What makes rural surgery uniquely rewarding and challenging? Host Dr. Randy Lehman welcomes one of the greats–Dr. Gary Timmerman, a distinguished surgeon from…
The Rural American SurgeonE30: Innovations in Rural Surgery with Dr. Eugene Shively
How can rural surgeons navigate the complexities of modern surgical techniques while maintaining financial stability? Host Dr. Randy Lehman welcomes back Dr…
The Rural American SurgeonE29: The Case That Changed Me
A family emergency gave Dr. Randy Lehman an unexpected perspective—from the waiting room instead of the operating room. In this episode, he shares the story of…
The Rural American SurgeonE28: Flying My Helicopter to Surgery
For Dr. Randy Lehman, “rushing to surgery” sometimes means taking to the skies. In this episode, he shares how aviation became an unexpected solution to some…
The Rural American SurgeonE27: Bringing Complex Procedures Back to Rural Roots with Dr. Rebekah Wever
Join host Dr. Randy Lehman as he welcomes Dr. Rebekah Wever, a passionate young rural surgeon who returned to her Appalachia, Ohio roots after training in…
The Rural American SurgeonE26: Honduras Medical Missions & Gallbladder Cases with Dr. John Haeberlin
After a week of medical missions in rural Honduras, host Dr. Randy Lehman sits down with Dr. John Haeberlin to reflect on their experience and discuss…
The Rural American SurgeonE25: Rural Emergency C-Sections with Dr. Dave Kermode
Host Dr. Randy Lehman sits down with Iowa rural surgeon and former Navy doctor, Dr. Dave Kermode, for a gripping deep dive into an emergency C-section case…
The Rural American SurgeonE24: Sentinel Node Biopsy with Dr. Mel Johnson - Part 2
Welcome back for this Part Two conversation with host Dr. Randy Lehman and distinguished breast surgeon, Dr. Mel Johnson. Listen for a technical walkthrough on…
The Rural American SurgeonE23: Sentinel Node Biopsy with Dr. Mel Johnson - Part 1
Host Dr. Randy Lehman welcomes Dr. Mel Johnson, President of the North American Rural Surgical Society and Program Director at Gundersen Lutheran in La Crosse…
The Rural American SurgeonE22: Technology Disruptors in Rural Medicine with Dan Leman - Part 2
In this Part Two episode, host Dr. Randy Lehman returns with PA Dan Leman—who flips the script and takes on the role of interviewer! Together, they explore the…
The Rural American SurgeonE21: Technology Disruptors in Rural Medicine with Dan Leman - Part 1
Host Dr. Randy Lehman welcomes Dan Leman, a Physician Assistant with a notable background in telehealth innovation. Together, they explore the transformative…