Shows / The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MD
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MD
Welcome to The Intentional Surgeon, where we dive deep into the people, institutions, and ideas reshaping the culture of surgery. Hosted by Sharon L. Stein, MD, an internationally recognized colorectal surgeon, professor, and change agent, this podcast explores the challenges and opportunities transforming the surgical world and medicine. Each episode features inspiring guests who are pioneering new ways to practice surgery, educate future surgeons, and redefine patient care and the surgical…
Episodes
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS03EP18: Reimagining the Future of Organ Donation with Gabriel Schnickel MD, MPH
In this episode of The Intentional Surgeon, Dr. Sharon L. Stein reconnects with her medical school classmate, Gabriel Schnickel, MD, MPH, Transplant and…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS03E17: Physical Fitness for Surgeons with Gil Spitz, MS, MBA/MHA
In this episode of The Intentional Surgeon, Dr. Sharon Stein speaks with Gil Spitz—former classical musician, athletic training specialist, and founder of…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS03E16: Building a "One Team" Culture in Surgery with Dr. Faisal Aziz
Surgery is a team sport, yet many departments operate as isolated individuals sharing a call schedule. In this episode of The Intentional Surgeon, Dr. Sharon…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS03E15: The Surgeon’s Launchpad with Dr. Sharon L. Stein
Technical prowess and clinical knowledge are the bedrock of any surgical career, but they are only two pieces of the puzzle. The third—and arguably most…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS03E14: “If It's Difficult, You're Doing It Wrong” with Dr. Julio Mayol
Surgeons operate in a high-stakes, highly penalized environment where mistakes carry immediate, human consequences. As a result, surgical culture has…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS03E13: Inside the $10 Million Education Grant with Dr. Patrick Jackson
What does it take to train a modern surgeon? For decades, residency has relied on the "see one, do one, teach one" model. But according to one of the field's…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS03E12: Burnout & Resilience with Dr. Najjia Mahmoud
Physician burnout is often treated as a personal failure—a symptom of missing a meditation session or a hospital pizza party. But true burnout isn't about how…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS03E11: Campaign 52: International Humanitarian Relief with Dr. Anna Spivak
In rural, underserved areas of Kenya, a lack of access to timely cesarean sections leaves young women vulnerable to the trauma of obstructed labor. Beyond the…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS03E10: The Environmental Impact of Surgery with Dr. Shaneeta Johnson & Dr. Patricia Sylla
If the global healthcare sector were a country, it would be the fifth-worst greenhouse gas emitter on the planet! Within hospitals, the operating room…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS03E09: Stop Saying Yes to Everything with Dr. Sharon L. Stein
As surgeons, we’ve all been told the same lie: The only way to get ahead in your career is to say yes to everything. We are conditioned to believe that if we…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS03E08: Organizational Psychology of Surgery with Dr. Katrina Monton
We often treat surgical culture as an immovable force of nature, something we simply have to survive. But what if the norms we pride ourselves on, the…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS03E07: The Missing Pillar in Surgical Training with Dr. Sharon L. Stein
In our surgical training, we are masters of the clinical and the technical. We know the anatomy, the indications, and the surgical techniques. But there is a…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS03E06: Lessons in Leadership with Dr. Daniel Eiferman
In surgery, we are taught the mechanics of saving a life, but rarely the mechanics of managing ourselves. In this episode, Dr. Sharon Stein sits with Dr…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS03EP05: Wellness in Surgery with Dr. Mary Brandt
In a medical culture that often views vulnerability as a deficit and burnout as a personal failure, Dr. Mary Brandt has spent decades advocating for a…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS03EP04: Rethinking Traditional Organization with Dr. Vikram Kashyap
We often think that our traditional model of specialty-based hierarchy is the most effective - for our patients and us... but what happens when we rethink that…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS03EP03: Physicians in Politics with Dr. Bryan & Dr. Jana Hambley
What happens when a surgeon and a hematologist-oncologist decide to take their commitment to public health from the bedside to the ballot box? In this episode…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS03EP02: Gender, Economics, & the Future of Surgical Equity with Dr. Tanaz Ferzandi
In this episode of the Intentional Surgeon, Dr. Sharon Stein welcomes her longtime colleague and friend, Dr. Tanaz Ferzandi, Director of Urogynecology at Keck…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS03EP01: How Ego Hurts & Helps Us As Surgeons with Dr. Sharon L. Stein
Welcome to 2026! In this solo episode, Dr. Sharon Stein kicks off the year by exploring a topic that defines—and often derails—surgical careers: The Surgical…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS02EP26: End-of-Year Reflection, Identity & The Power of Creation with Dr. Mel Thacker
In the final episode of the year, Dr. Sharon Stein sits down with Dr. Mel Thacker, an otolaryngologist and master certified coach, to discuss how surgeons can…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS02EP25: Surgery with Soul: Finding Purpose & Fighting Stigma with Dr. Monique Hassan
Dr. Monique Hassan, a fellowship-trained bariatric surgeon and former Army surgeon, joins the podcast to share the philosophy behind her brand, "Surgery with…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS02EP24: Discrimination, Bullying, and Harassment with Dr. Lisa Cannada
Orthopedic trauma surgeon Dr. Lisa Canada joins the podcast to discuss her pioneering work in reforming surgical culture. Dr. Canada, who recently made history…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS02EP23: Trauma, Policy, and the Path to Healing with Dr. Brian Williams
In this powerful episode, we welcome Dr. Brian Williams, a trauma and critical care surgeon, Air Force veteran, and former Congressional healthcare policy…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS02EP22: Beyond Our Surgical Day Job with Dr. Lee Ponsky
In this episode of The Intentional Surgeon Podcast, Dr. Lee Ponsky, Chair of Urology, shares his journey of pushing boundaries within academic medicine…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS02EP21: Medical Malpractice, Grief, & Growth with Dr. Gita Pensa
Malpractice litigation is a universal reality in medicine, yet it remains one of the most isolating and difficult experiences a physician will face. We break…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS02EP20: Integrity & Lasting Change in Surgery with Dr. Julie Freischlag
In this inspiring episode, we welcome Dr. Julie Freischlag—a titan in surgery, education, and academic administration—to reflect on her groundbreaking career…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS02EP19: Physician Workplace Conflict & Injustice with Dr. Pringl Miller & Dr. Andrea L. Merrill
Navigating a career in medicine can be a challenging journey, and sometimes, physicians face injustices and workplace conflicts that are isolating and…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS02EP18: The Surgeon Job Search: What To Expect with Dr. Madeline B. Torres
Training as a surgeon is intense—almost a decade of education, residency, and fellowship. But for many, the most stressful phase comes next: the job search. In…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS02EP17: Surgical Ergonomics with Dr. Geeta Lal
In this episode of The Intentional Surgeon, Dr. Sharon L. Stein speaks with Dr. Geeta Lal about the importance of surgical ergonomics. They discuss Dr. Lal's…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS02EP16: The Surgeon’s Launch Pad with Dr. Sharon L. Stein
Welcome to The Intentional Surgeon Podcast, where we talk about the people, institutions, and ideas that are transforming the culture of surgery. In this…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS02EP15: Hope in Surgery with Dr. Edward Barksdale
In this episode, Dr. Sharon L. Stein is joined by Dr. Edward Barksdale, a renowned pediatric surgeon and mentor. Together, they explore the powerful concept of…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS02EP14: International Medicine with Dr. Sherry M. Wren
Welcome back to The Intentional Surgeon, the podcast where we dive into the people, institutions, and ideas that are changing the culture of surgery. In this…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS02E13: Surgeons Are Human Beings Too with Dr. Red Hoffman
In this deeply moving episode of The Intentional Surgeon, Dr. Sharon Stein welcomes Dr. Melissa Red Hoffman — trauma surgeon, hospice and palliative care…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS02E12: Local to Global: Spreading What Works in Surgical Culture with Dr. Amy Vertrees
This week on The Intentional Surgeon, I sit down with Dr. Amy Vertrees for a deeply resonant conversation on pivotal career moments, leadership in medicine…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS02E11: Women in Surgery: Still Death by 1001 Cuts with Dr. Sarah Tempkin
1001 Cuts: Being A Woman Surgeon in 2025 This episode is for women and men surgeons. It is important that all of us see the biases that still occur every day…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS0210: Honest Reflection with Dr. Mark Soliman
In this week’s episode of The Intentional Surgeon, Dr. Mark Soliman, the founder of SurgeOn App, joins the conversation to challenge the myth of surgical…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS0209: Owning Complications: Evolving Culture with Dr. Sunil Geevarghese
In this week’s episode of The Intentional Surgeon, Drs. Sharon L. Stein and Sunil Geevarghese dive into the emotional aftermath of surgical complications…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS02E08: Mentorship in Medicine: A Call to Action with Dr. Neil Hyman
In this compelling episode of The Intentional Surgeon Podcast, Dr. Neil Hyman, retired colorectal surgeon and author of The Breaking of the Surgeons, joins Dr…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS02E07: The Missing Pillar in Medicine with Dr. Sharon L. Stein
In this episode of The Intentional Surgeon, Dr. Sharon L. Stein explores the often-overlooked aspect of professional development in surgical training. While…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS02E06: Slow & Steady: Creating Sustainable Change with Dr. Tania K. Arora
The importance of failing better. As surgeons, striving for perfection is ingrained in the profession, but failure presents an opportunity to rethink, adapt…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS02E05: Moneyball of Surgery: Using the best of AI to Improve Care with Dr. Daniel A. Hashimoto
Sometimes, a simple shift in perspective leads to groundbreaking innovation. In this episode of The Intentional Surgeon, Sharon L. Stein welcomes Dr. Daniel A…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS02E04: When Your Values Conflict with the Profession with Dr. Sharon L. Stein
In this episode of The Intentional Surgeon, we are going to talk about what happens when your values conflict with the profession of medicine. We are going to…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS02E03: Measuring What Matters with Dr. Carla Pugh
In this enlightening episode of The Intentional Surgeon Podcast, we welcome Dr. Carla Pugh. Dr. Pugh's research in technology-driven training has made it clear…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS02E02: Special Like Everyone Else with Dr. Sharona Ross
In this episode of The Intentional Surgeon, Dr. Sharon L. Stein sits down with the esteemed Dr. Ross, a board-certified advanced Foregut and HPB surgeon with…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS02E01: Planetary Health with Dr. Husein Moloo
In this episode of The Intentional Surgeon, host Sharon L. Stein welcomes Dr. Husein Moloo, Director of Planetary Health and Professor of Surgery at the…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS01E18: Setting Intentions for 2025
Season 1 of The Intentional Surgeon Wraps Up! What a journey it’s been! Season 1 has brought us incredible guests, tackled challenging topics, and sparked so…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS01E17: Supporting Our Colleagues Through Complications (Part 2) with Dr. Jo Shapiro
Jo Shapiro, MD, FACS, is an associate professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Harvard Medical School and a consultant for the Department of…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS01E16: Supporting Our Colleagues Through Complications (Part 1) with Dr. Jo Shapiro
Jo Shapiro, MD, FACS, is an associate professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Harvard Medical School and a consultant for the Department of…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS01E15: Believing in Yourself and Your Skills Dr. Bethany Malone
Dr. Bethany Malone is a colorectal surgeon, an actor, and a colorectal TickTok phenomenon. A native of Fort Worth Texas she did her medical training in New…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS01E14: Creating Bridges in Surgery with Dr. Steven Wexner
In this episode of The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MD we hear from Steven D. Wexner MD, PhD (Hon), FACS, FRCS (Eng, Ed), Hon FRCS (I, Glasg)…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS01E13: How the Vision for the American Board of Surgery May Be Changing the Culture of Surgery with Dr. Jo Buyske
Dr. Buyske is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Board of Surgery (ABS). She joined the board in 1998, initially as a Qualifying…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS01E12: When Your Passion Doesn’t Fit into a Box with Dr. Rachel Pope
Welcome back to The Intentional Surgeon with Dr. Sharon Stein - the podcast where we talk about the people, the institutions, and the ideas that are changing…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS01E11: How Curiosity and Empathy Led to Career Transition with Dr. Angela Ingraham
As academic institutions, we often find ourselves frustrated by the complexities of care transfer processes and the challenges of working with referring…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS01E10: “Surgeon” is What You Do, Not Who You Are with Dr. Jennifer Tseng
Surgeons often have an A+ mindset, but too frequently, we tie our self-worth to our job titles. This fixation on continuous achievements and accolades can lead…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS01E09: How the Operating Room Fails to Prepare Surgeons for Leadership with Janet (Dombrowski) Pinkerton
Do you struggle with communicating and managing expectations as a surgeon? Do you find yourself expecting your residents to instinctively know what you need…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS01E08: The Intersection of Mindfulness and Leadership with Dr. Sharmila Dissanaike
“We either learn or win.” - Nelson Mandela. What are the fundamental attributes of leadership and how does mindfulness fit into them? Where is the fine line…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS01E07: Redefining My Life as a Surgeon with Dr. Shannon Marie Foster
“The only true advocate for yourself is you.” - Shannon Marie Foster, MD, FACS This week, I'm thrilled to welcome the incredible Shannon Marie Foster. Join us…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS01E06: Walking Towards Change with Dr. Paula Ferrada
“Only winners have haters.” - Paula Ferrada, MD, FACS, FCCM, MAMSE Stepping outside of one's comfort zone and embracing change can be incredibly daunting…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS01E05: Creating An Office Family with Dr. Erin King-Mullins
A Private Practice is a complex and dynamic healthcare business that provides specialized surgical services within a community. It combines medical expertise…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS01E04: Clearing the Path for Future Surgeons with Dr. Amalia Cochran
How do we change the culture of surgery for younger and future surgeons? Let’s find out! We are back at the Intentional Surgeon podcast. A podcast about the…
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MDS01E03: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Surgery Dr. Nancy L. Gantt
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in Surgery. What does it really look like? We all have a lot to learn. Welcome to Episode 3 of The Intentional Surgeon…