Shows
Mindful Marathon PodcastEp 44: Protecting Your Wellbeing - Moving Through Burnout, with Dr. Phil PierorazioIn this episode, Dr. Michelle Quirk sits down with Dr. Phil Pierorazio, Professor of Urology and host of the Operate with Zen podcast, for a powerful and honest conversation about physician wellness.
They explore how physical activity and mindfulness can be transformative tools in preventing burnout, especially in high-stress careers like medicine.
Dr. Pierorazio shares candid reflections from his personal and professional experience, along with this vital reminder: “Don’t neglect your health…That is the foundation of everything else you do.”
Whether you're a physician, runner, or someone simply trying to stay well whi...
2025-07-1428 min
Bladder Cancer MattersWhat You Need to Know About Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma In this captivating episode of the Bladder Cancer Matters podcast, host Rick Bangs delves into the intricacies of upper tract urothelial carcinoma with renowned experts Dr. Jeannie Hoffman-Censits and Dr. Phil Pierorazio. Together, they explore the complexities of diagnosing and treating this challenging disease, offering valuable insights into patient prognosis. The discussion highlights cutting-edge approaches, including the use of topical and systemic therapies, and sheds light on promising clinical trials. Dr. Hoffman-Censits and Dr. Pierorazio underscore the significance of personalized treatment plans and the urgent need for continued research. Don't miss this enlightening conversation that promises to deepen your...
2024-05-2335 min
Operate with Zen76. Putting on Your Armor with Dr. Scott MacDiarmidScott MacDiarmid, MD is a private practice urologist in Greensboro, North Carolina and the author of “Fist Pumps” – a self-help book to lift up physicians and healthcare providers who serve (https://www.amazon.com/Fist-Pumps-Scott-MacDiarmid/dp/1088078184). Similar to my journey in Operative with Zen, Scott wrote the book thinking, “If I can help one other person.” We talk about the stresses of being a physician and surgeon in modern American healthcare and strategies to deal with that stress. Finding purpose, developing (what Scott calls) a suit of armor through mindfulness and gratitude, and seeking your own personal mountaintop – where you find peace...
2023-10-041h 03Operate with Zen77. Physical Health and Diet for Busy Surgeons and People with Dr. Paul MaroniPaul Maroni, MD is a urologic oncologist at the University of Colorado in Denver. He is a repeat guest on OWZ (#41. Joy in the Service of Others… https://www.buzzsprout.com/1811662/10549621) and a good friend. We share an interest in the physical health of our patients and ourselves as physicians and surgeons. This conversation focuses on practical strategies (and the science behind them) to optimize physical health and well-being through movement, exercise, and nutrition. There is no perfect work-out routine or diet. But being mindful and intentional about how you care for your body and what you want out of your...
2023-10-0458 minOperate with Zen75. Surgical Coaching from the Master with Dr. Caprice GreenbergCaprice Greenberg, MD, MPH is the Chair of the Department of Surgery at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Surgical Oncologist. She is the President and Co-founder of the Academy for Surgical Coaching (https://surgicalcoaching.org/) and is responsible for most of the academic literature regarding surgical coaching and outcomes directly or inspirationally. We talk through the basics of surgical coaching from the operating room to the clinic, executive coaching through professional development for junior surgeons. We talk about the practicalities of coaching: who should be coaching, who should be coaching, and what are the goo...
2023-10-0451 minOperate with Zen74. Leading with Kindness with Ms. Nadine CoullMs. Nadine Coull, MBBS, MS, FRCS (Urol) is the Deputy Medical Director of the National Health Services (NHS) and President of the Urology Section of the Royal Society of Medicine. In addition, she is the Deputy Medical Director of Kingston Hospital. Nadine never envisioned herself as a leader of a hospital, hospital system, or the NHS – but through deep beliefs in compassion and kindness found herself rising through the leadership ranks first locally then nationally. She is a strong believer in boundaries – professionally and personally – to promote health and wellness. We touch on her presidential address, The One with the Pink Ba...
2023-10-0455 minOperate with Zen72. Mindful Communication with Dr. Marissa Theofanides“All healthcare is delivered through relationships.” This is the key statement from this episode of OWZ and highlights that effective communication is a key component of delivering excellent patient care. Marissa Theofanides, MD is a urologist at Montefiore in the Bronx and expert in communication skills. She is certified by the Academy of Communication in Healthcare (https://achonline.org/) whose motto is “Better Communication. Better Relationships. Better Care.” In this podcast, we help you understand that communication is a skill – a skill that can be taught, practiced, and improved upon just like throwing a suture or writing a clinic note...
2023-08-151h 02Operate with Zen73. A Legacy of Mindfulness in Surgery with Dr. Mick MalotteDr. Mick Malotte, MD is a retired ENT surgeon from California who has been practicing mindfulness as a surgeon for over 30 years. Not only does Mick practice mindfulness through a daily practice and retreats, but he teaches mindfulness to physicians and surgeons around the country! Mick gives us a brief history of mindfulness in medicine and helps us understand how mindfulness practices are adopted to medicine and surgery. We talk about burnout, data and physiology, and the religious and social implications of widespread mindfulness practices! Importantly, Mick gives us easy-to-perform micro practices that can be performed within our daily prac...
2023-08-1553 minOperate with Zen71. A Day of Reflection with Dr. Angela SmithDr. Angela Smith is a frequent flyer on the Operate with Zen podcast. She is guru to me and many others for life hacks and practical, personal improvements to be more efficient and to have more ease and enjoyment in our daily routine. In this podcast, we discuss “A Day of Reflection” – what exactly that means, how to set one up, and how to make it successful. A day of reflection creates the opportunity to be present for oneself, to assess prior performance (in a non-judgmental way), and to set intentions (or goals) for an upcoming period of time. Periodic d...
2023-07-2854 minOperate with Zen70. Understanding Mindfulness Through Sexuality with Dr. Kelly CaspersonDr. Kelly Casperson, MD is a surgical rockstar!!! … a urologist and sexual medicine expert, a extremely successful podcaster, author and now Ted-Talker! Kelly hosts the “You Are Not Broken” podcast (https://www.kellycaspersonmd.com/podcast) which empowers women (“and the partners who love them”) with science and conversations to break down sexuality improve the intimate lives of the tens of thousands who listen each month! But we are not talking about sexuality in today’s podcast… not really. Dr. Casperson and I discuss her journey to find purpose and how her true self re-emerged after years of surgical training and practice. We...
2023-07-141h 03Operate with Zen69. Getting to What Matters with Dr. Brian LaneBeing a cancer surgeon can be tough. Being a cancer patient even tougher. Brian Lane, MD is facing both daily. He is an accomplished surgeon and academic urologic oncologist. In this thoughtful and honest discussion, we cover facing tough diagnoses as a patient and a surgeon; developing perspective as a patient to help our patients; finding purpose and meaning despite tough circumstances; and ultimately finding peace in faith and community. This conversation is inspirational and grounding. I hope you enjoy.
2023-07-131h 03
The Dr. Geo Prostate PodcastOperating in Zen and Mindfulness in Surgery with Philip Pierorazio, MDIn today's episode, Dr. Geo sits with Dr. Philip Pierorazio, esteemed Chief of Urology at the Penn University of Pennsylvania, Department of Urology in Philadelphia. Dr. Phil is also a renowned lecturer on wellness and physician well-being, and he has even created his podcast called "Operate with Zen." This podcast delves into the intersection of mindfulness, medicine, and surgery, offering a scientific and data-driven approach to these subjects. Join us for this enlightening conversation with Dr. Phil, a leading figure in the field of urologic oncology and an expert in prostate cancer. Together, Dr. Geo...
2023-06-2950 minOperate with Zen68. Surgeons are Not Superhuman with Dr. Kevin TurnerKevin Turner, MA, DM, FRCS (Urology) is a Consultant Urological Surgeon at Royal Bournemouth Hospital. In 2015, he helped to start the Surgeon Wellbeing Research Team with colleagues from the Department of Psychology at Bournemouth University. Kevin and team ran a UK national survey from 2016-2019 – data from which has helped us understand how complications affect surgeons, the pervasiveness of this issue, and helped to create important objective measures and definitions in the field – like the difference between complications and errors. They also ran a randomized trial of resilience training in surgical trainees based on ACT (Acceptance and Commitm...
2023-06-2659 minOperate with Zen66. Surgical Ergonomics with Dr. Andrew GabrielsonAndrew Gabrielson, MD (@urogabe) is currently a resident at the Brady Urological Institute and Department of Urology at Johns Hopkins. He is a budding pediatric urologist and developed an interest in surgical ergonomics and physical well-being before he started residency. He is an integral member of the Society of Surgical Ergonomics and well-published in the field despite his young age! He gives us lots of practical knowledge for the operating room (how to stand, how to set up your room, gel pads and shoes!) and a framework for incorporating ergonomics as a thought process to enhance our physical well-being as...
2023-06-1358 minOperate with Zen67. The Golden Hour with Jeff BloovmanJeff Bloovman, BSN, RN, is an operating room nurse with really unique interests and perspectives on life. He has been an actor and director, is currently a firearms and combat instructor as well as an avid practitioner and instructor of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Like many of us, Jeff is also challenged by an extremely active mind. What do all of these experiences have in common? They are all enhanced through mindfulness practices. Whether focusing on a gun, your combatant, a theatre scene, or a busy operating room – being in the moment, both enjoying the moment and focusing in the present, can enh...
2023-06-131h 10Operate with Zen65. Recovering from Injury as a Surgeon with Drs. Angela Smith and Jay ShahPhysical ailments are a part of life, and all surgeons will encounter physical pain or injury in their career. Good friends and fellow surgeons, Angela Smith, MD, and Jay Shah, MD, (and repeat guests on the show) are no strangers to injuries. In this podcast we discuss chronic and acute physical injuries from diagnosis through long-term changes to our surgical and work-out routines. Coping mechanisms, management of pain in the operating room, adjustments to workouts, and evolution of personal identity are all discussed in this fun and inspirational hour. If you have struggled or are struggling with a physical inju...
2023-04-251h 17Operate with Zen64. Difficult Interactions and "Difficult" Patients with Dr. Joan NaidorfDr. Joan Naidorf, DO (https://www.drjoannaidorf.com/) is an Emergency Room physician who, through clinical experience, developed expertise in managing the difficult patient. She is the author of “Changing How We Think About Difficult Patients: A Guide for Physicians And Healthcare Professionals” (https://a.co/d/fWLWY5W) and was featured in a Washington Post article on the topic (Some doctors don’t like some patients - The Washington Post). While not being explicitly “mindful,” her approach to understanding and managing “difficult” situations employs concepts of intention, presence, and a non-judgmental approach to situations we all experience in healthcare. Thr...
2023-04-241h 06Operate with Zen63. The Best Caregivers Care for Themselves with Dr. Jeremy GrummetJeremy Grummet, MBBS, Master of Surgery, FRACS is a urologist in Melbourne, Australia and a world leader in prostate cancer imaging and diagnostics. He is also a deep thinker and deeply interested in the wellbeing of surgeons and his colleagues. Our conversation meanders through personal struggle, burnout or "spin" as Dr. Grummet calls it, mental illness, and emotional challenges associated with life and surgery. Core concepts of modeling vulnerability, the dichotomy between being a caregiver and a recipient of care, as well as self care are woven throughout the conversation. Jeremy is a master of thought and process, you will...
2023-03-241h 05Operate with Zen62. Mindfulness in Surgery: Enhanced Stress Resilience Training with Dr. Carter LebaresDr. Carter Lebares, MD is a Gastrointestinal Surgeon at the University of California San Francisco and the Director of the UCSF Center for Mindfulness in Surgery. In addition to being a thoughtful and skilled surgeon, she ran two randomized trials incorporating mindfulness based practices into surgery. She developed ESRT or Enhanced Stress Resilience Training from principles of John Kabat-Zinn’s Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) to specifically apply to surgeons and surgical training. With focused lessons and practical exposure Dr. Lebares has shown objectively that improvements in attentional focus, emotional recognition, and cognitive reappraisal learned through mindfulness translate into bette...
2023-03-211h 07Operate with Zen61. Getting to the Why? in Medicine with Dr. Bradley Block (Physician's Guide to Doctoring)Bradley Block, MD is an otolaryngologist in New York and founder of the “Physician’s Guide to Doctoring” podcast. The founding principle of the Physician’s Guide is “all the stuff we should have learned in medical school but didn’t.” While we only have an hour, we cover a lot of it! We talk personal and professional development, social engineering and how it impacts patient and personal interactions, and vulnerabilities as a busy surgeon in a busy practice. We settle on intention and exploring the WHY of so many things we do in medicine hoping the break the cycle of inefficie...
2023-03-1749 min
Succeed in Medicine: Practical Knowledge for Busy PhysiciansBeing more Mindful in your Practice with Phil Pierorazio, MDWhat exactly is mindfulness with your patients and how to be mindful during surgery? Phil Pierorazio, MD of Operate with Zen Podcast talks about how to achieve exactly that, and more. Being present with your patients during their visit, working on your own mindfulness in your personal life. Dr. Pierorazio is a board-certified urologist with training and expertise in urologic cancers, focusing on kidney cancer, testicular cancer, upper tract urothelial cancer, and prostate cancer. He offers patients both open and minimally invasive surgeries including laparoscopic and robotic surgeries of the kidney, bladder, prostate, and retroperitoneal lymph node...
2023-03-1331 minOperate with ZenBONUS CONTENT - 5-minute Breathwork with Dr. Dharam Kaushik5 minute breathwork exercise.
2023-03-0751 minOperate with Zen60. Connecting the Body & Mind with Dr. Dharam KaushikDharam Kaushik, MD is a urologic oncologist who does big time cancer surgeries. He is also a researcher and educator at the University of Texas San Antonio where he runs the urologic oncology fellowship program and leads the kidney cancer research program. Despite an upbringing in India and early exposure, he only recently picked up yoga as an outlet for wellness in his life. We explore yoga and mindfulness as strategies to combat burnout and stress at work, but expand the discussion to other forms of physical activity that can improve our surgical well-being. During the COVID pandemic, Dharam was...
2023-03-0751 minOperate with Zen59. Running Toward Well-Being and Mindfulness with Dr. Michelle QuirkMichelle Quirk, MD is a pediatrician and pediatric hospitalist in the Philadelphia area. She is also a certified run coach and started Mindful Marathon (mindful-marathon.com) to help busy professionals develop well-being through running and fitness. Importantly, Michelle was not always a runner, but over the years learned how to engage with her own personal wellness through running and fitness. That engagement led to the Mindful Marathon passion project – by which trains doctors and other busy professionals how to run and coaches them through short- and long-distance challenges. We talk about Michelle’s journey into running, how a pledge to patie...
2023-03-0357 minOperate with Zen58. Incorporating Mindfulness with Dr. Betsy KoehneDr. Elizabeth "Betsy" Koehne, MD is at the wonderful transition between training and complete surgical independence. She is a urologist and Acting Instructor and Society of Urologic Oncology fellow at the UW School of Medicine in Seattle. While she is may be junior is her surgical experience, she is seasoned in transcendental meditation, yoga, and incorporating mindfulness into her daily and surgical existence. I learn a ton from Betsy every time we speak and I hope you enjoy this conversation.
2023-02-1758 minOperate with Zen57. The Insane Privilege of Surgery with Dr. Bradley EricksonDr. Bradley Erickson is a Professor of Urology, a reconstructive urologist, and Director of Functional Urology at the University of Iowa. We are great friends and bonded over similar loves of baseball and skiing – sharing quite a few lift rides and challenging mountain runs in Colorado. Brad is also an extremely accomplished academic surgeon from very early on in his career – in fact, that’s what brought us together. I say this all because i had no idea, about 2-3 years into his practice, he had a major breakdown and called into question all of his motivations and purpose in surger...
2022-12-061h 07Operate with Zen56. Coaching Surgeons to Success with Dr. Diana LondoñoDiana Londoño, MD is a urologist in Los Angeles with a specific interest in coaching surgeons through tough times. She is the founder of Physician Coach Support (https://physiciancoachsupport.com/), a free peer-to-peer service for surgeon personal development. She is a mom, a yogi, and so much more! We discuss how Buddhist principles guide coaching, how being both a healer and a teacher are important to our roles as surgeons, and gives practical tips on how to organize a surgical life for well-being. Enjoy! https://dianalondonomd.com/ https://physiciancoachsupport.com/
2022-11-231h 11
BackTable UrologyEp. 63 Multidisciplinary Management of RCC with Dr. Rana McKay and Dr. Raquibul HannanIn this special episode, Dr. Phil Pierorazio (University of Pennsylvania) invites Dr. Rana McKay (UC San Diego) and Dr. Raquibul Hannan (UT Southwestern) about treatment options for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients in preparation for the 2022 International Kidney Cancer Symposium in Austin, Texas.---EARN CMEReflect on how this Podcast applies to your day-to-day and earn AMA PRA Category 1 CMEs: https://earnc.me/ffUyI5---SHOW NOTESFirst...
2022-11-0448 minOperate with Zen54. The Spaces Between Technique with Dr. Jason HanJason Han, MD is a cardiac surgery resident at the University of Pennsylvania, a columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer, and the founder of The Modern Surgeon. Jason provides unique perspective from a trainee with his eyes uniquely on the future - he graduates from residency this year! We talk about the changing perspective from student, to trainee, to surgeon and how being present and simplifying one's own principles can keep you grounded. We stumble across this podcast's title, "The Space Between Technique" when we discuss all the things missing from surgical education - how to think and behave, not jus...
2022-11-021h 07Operate with Zen55. Responding to Intraoperative Stress with Dr. Kristin ChrouserKristin Chrouser, MD, MPH is an Associate Professor of Urology at the University of Michigan and Section Chief of Urology at the VA in Ann Arbor Michigan. She is an expert in intraoperative stress - something all surgeons are familiar with - and tackles it through a variety of academic avenues. We discuss physical stress through ergonomics and pain both in and out of the OR. We talk about the OR environment and mindsets that are conducive to a healthy and long surgical career. And we talk about how pain is the manifestation of so many stressful events in our...
2022-11-021h 10Operate with Zen53. Relational Interactions with Louise Phipps SenftLouise Phipps Senft is the founder and CEO of Baltimore Mediation. She is a well-respected attorney and mediator. Louise practices "Transformative Mediation" in a number of complex settings -uniquely in healthcare - where techniques of mindfulness (like presence and non-judgement) are implemented routinely. She is an expert in personality assessment, personal and relational interactions. In addition, Louise is the host of "Blink of an Eye" Podcast (https://blinkofaneyepodcast.com/) which chronicles her families experience with trauma, the medical field, and awakening. I love talking with Louise and I hope you enjoy the conversation.References:https...
2022-10-2159 minOperate with Zen52. Creating Control with Dr. Angela SmithHumans are creatures of habit who crave control in sometimes uncontrollable circumstances. In this episode, OWZ regular Angie Smith, MD and Professor of Urology at UNC Chapel Hill and I discuss "control" in a variety of surgical settings. Control in the operating room, control in patient encounters outside of the OR, control over how we structure our lives, and how we achieve balance. Parallels are drawn to illness uncertainty for patients and the conversation weaves through vacations, Nietzsche, mirror neurons, and fear. I hope you enjoy.
2022-10-071h 05Operate with Zen51. Keeping Your Eyes Open with Dr. David CanesDavid Canes, MD is a urologist at the Lahey Clinic in Boston. He is incredibly thoughtful in his approach to medicine and his approach to life outside of medicine. Early on in this podcast, we discuss not letting urology [or surgery] to be the only thing of which you are proud. We talk passion projects and David's newest adventure (wellprept.com). And we talk about ways to avoid "pressing play" - David's analogy for just going through the motions with a patient, but creating the environment in which you can be truly present with a patient, with a surgery, with...
2022-10-071h 10Operate with Zen50. Speaking Up with Dr. Amanda NorthAmanda North, MD is an accomplished Pediatric Urologist at Montefiore in the Bronx. She is also an outstanding advocate for surgeons - leading the movement to understand burnout in our specialty (urology) and women in surgery. Our conversation meanders through fascinating topics with a focus on the key components of a sustainable career. We even touch on Ted Lasso (see picture behind her).
2022-09-201h 11Operate with Zen49. Priority Domains with Dr. Chris JaegerChris Jaeger, MD is currently a pediatric urology fellow at Boston Children's Hospital. He is a recent graduate from the Ohio State urology residency where he co-created and implemented a 12-week wellness program for the residents. Chris shares his experience with the research protocol, thoughts on institutional wellness, and identifies "priority domains" highlighted by his work and reflected in his daily wellness practice. An excellent episode especially for trainees as they transition from residency to fellowship (or beyond). And great for anyone involved or interested in a surgical trainee's experience.
2022-09-1551 minOperate with Zen48. Engaging to Manage Complications with Dr. Kyle RichardsKyle Richards, MD, FACS is an Associate Professor and Urologic Oncologist at the University of Wisconsin. This is his second OWZ podcast. In this episode we talk about managing complications in a mindful way. Starting with the emotions that arise when something bad happens to one of our patients, we discuss how to engage members of the team, the patient, and the patient's family to improve everyone's outlook and outcome.
2022-09-1553 minOperate with ZenBONUS CONTENT: 10-minute Guided Meditation with Dr. Neda GouldTo accompany the podcast, a great 10 minute practice great for all experience levels of meditation.
2022-09-1210 minOperate with Zen47. Meditation Practices in a Surgical Life with Dr. Neda GouldNeda Gould, PhD is a clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins. She is also the Director of the Mindfulness Program at Johns Hopkins for faculty and staff. In this episode, we talk through the scientific foundations of meditation practice and how to incorporate them, practically, into your life as a busy surgeon or physician. We talk through our own meditation practices and hope you feel more grounded and empowered to start your own practice after this episode. Resources: Books: Mindfulness for Beginners by John Kabat-Zinn; Altered Traits by Daniel Gole...
2022-09-1257 minOperate with Zen46. Humans and Physicians with Dr. Tait ShanafeltTait Shanafelt, MD is an outstanding human being and doctor. In addition to being a well-respected and renowned medical oncologist, he is the Chief Wellness Officer at Stanford Medicine and one of the most prolific writers of medical literature regarding wellness and burnout in medicine. In this episode of OWZ, we discuss both individual and institutional approaches to wellness highlighting both the responsibility of each of us, as surgeons, to our patients and institution, as well as the responsibility of the field of medicine, our institutions, and hospitals to us to promote a culture of wellness and well-being. As we...
2022-09-1257 min
BackTable Vascular & InterventionalEp. 231 Bullying in Vascular Training and Practice with Dr. Rachael Forsythe and Dr. Konstantinos StavroulakisIn this episode, host Dr. Aaron Fritts interviews Dr. Rachael Forsythe and Dr. Konstantinos Stravapoulas about their Research Collaborative for Peripheral Arterial Disease (RCPAD) survey on bullying in the European vascular workplace, and overall trends in reported bullying incidents.---CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORMedtronic Abre Venous Stenthttps://www.medtronic.com/abrevenous---SHOW NOTESWe start the episode by learning about the RCPAD goals to...
2022-08-0530 minOperate with Zen40. Small Changes for Big Results with Casey Seideman, MDDr. Casey Seideman is a pediatric urologist at Oregon Health and Sciences University. A few years ago, Casey never ran a complete mile. Now she is an outspoken advocate for wellness in the operating room and beyond. In this podcast we tackle small changes and their ability make big impact, how mental preparation promotes a health surgical community, and how, as a surgeon, you can achieve great things you never thought you could do. (Music Credit: Sunshine, Simon Jomphe Lepine.)
2022-05-0352 minOperate with Zen36. Dealing with Negative FeedbackNegative Feedback can arrive in a variety of forms in surgery including direct feedback from peers or bosses, patient complaints, or complications. This solo podcast discusses a 4-step process to deal with negativity in our lives. (Music Credit: Sunshine, Simon Jomphe Lepine.)
2022-05-0309 minOperate with Zen37. Maslow in MedicineAbraham Maslow was an American Psychologist who created a "Hierarchy of Needs" to describe an individual's ability to achieve their full potential - what he called self-actualization. Achieving "wellness" in one's life is a challenge. Understanding the framework of Maslow's Hierarchy and how it applies to medicine and surgery may help you climb the pyramid toward self-actualization and your highest potential. (Music Credit: Sunshine, Simon Jomphe Lepine.)
2022-05-0318 minOperate with Zen38. The Military, Medicine and Mindfulness with Tanya Ivey-Bloom, NPThe United States military is among the elite fighting forces in human history. Fostering a great military starts with fostering great soldiers. Tanya Ivey-Bloom is a nurse practitioner at the Johns Hopkins Hospital but also the current Commander of the 336th Medical Detachment of the US Army Reserves in Fort Meade Maryland. We compare and contrast military and civilian medicine, leadership styles, and how the military embraces a mindful approach to training soldiers (and physicians). (Music Credit: Sunshine, Simon Jomphe Lepine.)
2022-05-0354 minOperate with Zen39. "Dancing in the Rain" with Dr. James Harris"Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning how to dance in the rain." – Vivian Greene Dr. James Harris is a general surgeon and Chair of Surgery at Howard County General Hospital of Johns Hopkins Medicine. James is an incredible surgeon and role model whose personal story has taken tremendous twists and turns. Despite the ups and downs, James always finds a way to "dance" and dance well. He newest endeavor, Doc Health & Fitness (dochealthfitness.com; IG: dochealthandfitness; YouTube: DocHealth & Fitness) combines passions for health, fitness, and well-being with his love for su...
2022-05-0355 minOperate with Zen41. Joy in the Service of Others with Dr. Paul MaroniPaul Maroni is a urologic oncologist at University of Colorado in Denver. He also runs the American Urological Association course on “Winning the Battle Against Burnout.” Paul is also an extremely thoughtful and mindful surgeon, physician, and educator. In this episode of OWZ, we tackle a lot more than burnout. We discuss extreme ownership of the good and bad that occurs in our surgical practices, we talk about putting successes and failures into perspective, and, in Paul’s own words, we seek to find “joy serving others.” We would be lying if we said everyday as a surgeon is amazingly posit...
2022-05-0359 minOperate with Zen42. Bringing Mindfulness to Surgery with Dr. Sima PortenNo one is born with a mindfulness practice. It takes time to discover your needs, to personalize your practice, and to cultivate that practice as you evolve as a mindful person. Dr. Sima Porten is a skilled urologic cancer surgeon and incorporates mindfulness into her everyday routine. Both her surgical skills and her mindfulness practice developed over an extended period of time and minor adjustments are continually required to reach the expert levels at which she performs. In this episode we talk about developing and refining a mindfulness practice as a surgeon – how to incorporate those skills into the operat...
2022-05-0349 minOperate with Zen43. Sitting with the Pieces with Dr. Taylor RiallTaylor Riall, MD, PhD, FACS is the real deal! Accomplished academic hepatobiliary surgeon, executive coach, competitive athlete, and a genuine inspiration to all who encounter her. Dr. Riall was a major inspiration in my (ongoing) path to wellness and the creation of this podcast. We tackle a lot in this discussion but start with changing surgical culture one surgeon, one inspiration at a time, move to mindfulness and resilience. "Sitting with the Pieces" refers to the Japanese art of Kintsugi where pottery is intentionally broken and put back together with gold. The metaphor is incredibly strong - what once was b...
2022-05-0350 minOperate with Zen44. Building Relationships in Surgery with Dr. Tracy DownsTracy M. Downs, MD, FACS is a Professor of Urology and Chief Diversity & Community Engagement Officer at the University of Virginia. Tracy is a deeply thoughtful and compassionate surgeon and person. His approach to life parallels his approach to patient care which parallels his approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We explore the metaphor of endurance built during distance running to the endurance needed to overcome the struggles of a surgical career and, similarly, the long-term work toward a more inclusive medical community and world. In addition, the relationships he models with his family parallels the care and compassion with...
2022-05-0300 minOperate with Zen45. Unlock Your Power with Dr. Anne SuskindAnne M. Suskind, MD, FACS, MS is an Associate Professor of Urology; Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences; the Associate Chair of Faculty Affairs and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; and the Chief of Neurourology, Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery at the University of California San Francisco. She is an accomplished surgeon scientist and a wonderful human being. She is strongly interested in faculty and personal development and, in this podcast, discusses the rationale and process of her recent online course "Unlock Your Power." We discuss her personal background and interests in mindfulness, anthropology, and psychology. We discuss how discipline and insi...
2022-05-0352 min
It Takes BallsDr. Phil Pierorazio - Patient/Provider RelationshipDr. Phil Pierorazio is a Urologic Oncologist, the Chief of Urology at Penn Presbyterian Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania, and a board member with Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation. Dr. Pierorazio talks about the relationship between a patient and provider, different treatment options for testicular cancer including surgeries and chemotherapy, dealing with insurance difficulties, testicular cancer and mental health in survivorship, testosterone levels, the upcoming Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation virtual conference in April 2022, answers listener questions, and much more.Have a question for a future expert guest? Submit here:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-question-submission
2022-03-0145 min
Penn Primary Care PodcastProstate Cancer- From Screening to TreatmentIn this episode, Dr Williams is joined by urologic surgeon Phil Pierorazio and oncologist Vivek Narayan to discuss the nuances of prostate cancer screening and treatment.In this episode, Dr Williams is joined by urologic surgeon Phil Pierorazio and oncologist Vivek Narayan to discuss the nuances of prostate cancer screening and treatment.
2022-02-2100 minOperate with Zen35. Bad Behaviors with Dr. Jody FosterIn Season 1, Episode 11 we spoke about Understanding Bad Behaviors. In this podcast, we literally talk to the person who wrote the book. Dr. Jody Foster is a psychiatrist and Assistant Dean for Professionalism at the University of Pennsylvania. Among other roles, she is also the team psychiatrist for the Philadelphia Eagles. She encounters “bad behaviors” for a living and, in this episode, discusses the common bad actors we may see in surgery and medicine and, in my opinion, most importantly, how to empathize and understand them to promote a positive workplace and a strong team. If you want to read more...
2022-01-3157 minOperate with Zen34. Training with Mindfulness with Dr. Jake TaylorMany of our guests on Operate with Zen are established in their careers and working to figure out a more mindful, healthy approach to medicine and surgery. Jake Taylor, MD (Twitter: @doctorjakeuro) is a Chief Resident at NYU and while still developing in his surgical career, has well established routines and principles of mindfulness. A great podcast for listeners at all levels of surgical and mindfulness expertise, but especially poignant for those in training. (Music Credit: Sunshine, Simon Jomphe Lepine.)
2022-01-1848 minOperate with Zen30. Recovery, Resilience, and Purpose with Dr. Nishant PatelChallenges and resilience are a part of life, and each of us struggles to achieve fulfillment and happiness through these struggles. Nishant Patel, MD (Twitter: @nishanturo) has his fair share of struggles including not matching (twice) into urology residency and medical issues with his family. But none of these experiences are as profound as his story with alcoholism and sobriety. Described as "an accomplished surgeon and an accomplished alcoholic" on the podcast, The Payoff with Pete (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-payoff-with-pete/id1550520979), Nishant's honest and insightful story provides lessons in humility, purpose, and overcoming challenges. If not alre...
2022-01-171h 15Operate with Zen33. Promoting a Surgical Community through Mentorship with Dr. Kirsten GreeneMany of us can remember mentors who shaped our careers and are responsible for the situations in which we currently work or reside. Kirsten Greene, MD (Twitter: KGUROmd) discusses many of the wonderful mentors she experienced through her evolution from a general surgery intern at UCSF to the Chair of Urology at the University of Virginia. Strong examples of female and male mentors are offered, concepts of mentoring up as well as down are discussed, and creating a community of surgeons interested in each other and our collective well-being is brought forth. (Music Credit: Sunshine, Simon Jomphe Lepine.)
2022-01-1749 minOperate with Zen32. Time Management with Dr. Angela SmithRepeat guest, Angela Smith, MD (Twitter: @angiesmith_uro) is an incredibly efficient urologic oncologist, academician, and mom. Coordination and time management are keys to not only surviving, but thriving in each situation. In this podcast, Dr. Smith breaks down the concepts of effective time management as well as providing practical advice to structure your week for maximal efficiency and happiness. (Music Credit: Sunshine, Simon Jomphe Lepine.)
2022-01-1753 minOperate with Zen31. Career Transitions with Dr. Aditya BagrodiaVery few physicians finish their career in the location or role in which they started. Aditya Bagrodia, MD (Twitter: @AdityaBagrodia) is a urologic oncologist who recently transitioned from UT Southwestern to UC San Diego at about the same time I transitioned from Johns Hopkins to the University of Pennsylvania. Reasons and rationale for transition are discussed as well as practical considerations for when you are considering moving from one job to another. (Music Credit: Sunshine, Simon Jomphe Lepine.)
2022-01-1755 minOperate with Zen29. Purposeful Spaces (Fung Shui) with Ashley CantleyTime and space together can help us create routine. Proactively designing spaces to maximize function is just one way to enhance efficiency and performance - this is what Ashley Cantley (Twitter: @AshCantley) is an expert in. Trained in human design and Feng Shui, Ashley talks us through concepts of personal space design providing valuable insights in organization and structure of our work and hospital spaces to maximize our efficiency and make work more pleasant. Read more at: High-Vibe Feng Shui found on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/High-Vibe-Feng-Shui-Steps-Achieving/dp/1635862388). (Music Credit: Sunshine, Simon Jomphe Lepine.)
2022-01-1734 minOperate with Zen28. Developing Leadership with Dr. Jay ShahJay Shah, MD (Twitter: @BladderCancerMD) is a urologic oncologist and Vice-Chief of Staff at Stanford Health Care. His journey brought him through several outstanding medical institutions in this country and he discusses his evolution from trainee to academic and research all-star, and his now burgeoning leadership career. Philosophies on leadership are discussed in addition to practical advice for those interested in future leadership positions or currently working in leadership roles. (Music Credit: Sunshine, Simon Jomphe Lepine.)
2022-01-1757 minOperate with Zen27. Optimizing Surgical Performance with Dr. Michael JoynerMichael Joyner, MD (Twitter: @DrMJoyner) is a physiologist and anesthesiologist at the Mayo Clinic with expertise in human performance - specifically human physical performance. We discuss analogies between sports and surgery, and how to function with maximum output, and peak efficiency in our surgical existence. (Music Credit: Sunshine, Simon Jomphe Lepine.)
2022-01-1746 minOperate with Zen26. Finding Purpose with Dr. Kyle RichardsMany Eastern and Western Philosophies are rooted in a desire to understand who we are and what is our purpose. Kyle Richards, MD (Twitter: @Uro_Rich) is a urologic oncologist who found his medical purpose in caring for patients with cancer. Dr. Richards also talks about how to "repurpose" some of our challenging activities as doctors to make them more meaningful and discusses life outside of the hospital helping us to understand how our sense of self is tied to who we are as surgeons and as people. (Music Credit: Sunshine, Simon Jomphe Lepine.)
2022-01-1759 minOperate with Zen25. Physical Well-Being through Original Strength with Tim AndersonSurgery is a physically and mentally challenging profession. While many of us address physical health outside of operating room through a variety of activities - few of us are mindful about how to approach our physical well-being in the operating room. Tim Anderson is an experienced personal trainer and creator of the Original Strength program designed to utilize simple concepts and movements to generate a healthy mind-body connection. He discusses concepts of physical well-being, mind-body connection, and how to integrate them into a healthy, strong, and long-lasting surgical career. (Music Credit: Sunshine, Simon Jomphe Lepine.)You can find...
2022-01-1753 minOperate with Zen24. Dealing with Bad Outcomes and ComplicationsComplications and bad outcomes are a part of medicine despite our best efforts. Dealing with the complication, the patient and their loved ones can certainly be a challenge. Dealing with the personal fallout from a bad outcome is another challenge that is rarely discussed in medicine in surgery. In this solo podcast, we will discuss some of the stresses that can make bad outcomes, mistakes, or complications more likely, and how to handle the emotional and psychological stress caused by these bad outcomes. Second victim syndrome is introduced and future podcasts, with surgeons, will discuss the management of complications both...
2022-01-1714 minOperate with Zen23. Exploring GratitudeBeing grateful and expressing gratitude are important tools in the armamentarium of the mindful physician and surgeon. In this brief solo podcast, I will review how being grateful can positively impact our lives and surgical experience, how expressing and exploring gratitude can help us overcome negative situations in our lives, and, if your interested, how to incorporate gratitude practices into your every day routine. (Music Credit: Sunshine, Simon Jomphe Lepine.)
2022-01-1717 min
BackTable UrologyEp. 26 Management of Small Renal Masses with Dr. Phil PierorazioDr. Phillip Pierorazio from Penn Urology discusses the management of small renal masses. Listen to the full episode to hear about imaging modalities for small renal masses, distinguishing between cysts and solid tumors, ablation, enucleation, partial nephrectomy, and special considerations for von Hippel-Landau (VHL) patients.---EARN CMEReflect on how this Podcast applies to your day-to-day and earn AMA PRA Category 1 CMEs: https://earnc.me/hdRe9f---SHOW NOTES
2021-12-2947 min
BackTable Vascular & InterventionalEp. 170 Operate With Zen with Phil PierorazioDr. Aditya Bagrodia and Dr. Aaron Fritts talk with Dr. Phillip Pierorazio from Penn Urology about his Operate with Zen podcast and tips for surgeon wellness. They cover Dr. Pierorazio's motivation for starting a wellness podcast, preventing physician burnout, achieving work-life balance, and managing healthy competitiveness.---EARN CMEReflect on how this Podcast applies to your day-to-day and earn AMA PRA Category 1 CMEs: https://earnc.me/A9shzj---SHOW NOTES
2021-12-0349 min
BackTable UrologyEp. 24 Operate With Zen with Dr. Phil PierorazioDr. Aditya Bagrodia and Dr. Aaron Fritts talk with Dr. Phillip Pierorazio from Penn Urology about his Operate with Zen podcast and tips for surgeon wellness. They cover Dr. Pierorazio's motivation for starting a wellness podcast, preventing physician burnout, achieving work-life balance, and managing healthy competitiveness.---EARN CMEReflect on how this Podcast applies to your day-to-day and earn AMA PRA Category 1 CMEs: https://earnc.me/A9shzj---SHOW NOTES
2021-12-0150 minOperate with Zen13. Mindful Decision Making - (Part 1) Effective Decision MakingMedicine and surgery require complex problem solving and tough decisions are made every single day. A mindful or thoughtful approach to decision making is one framework by which we can simply our day and decision-making process. In Part 1 of this three part, solo, mini-series, concepts of decision fatigue, what makes a great surgeon, and kindness are discussed. References and reading: Peak Performance, Attending: Medicine, Mindfulness, and Humanity. Music Credit: Sunshine, Simon Jomphe Lepine.
2021-10-3121 minOperate with Zen22. Mindful Leadership with Dr. Stephen NakadaStephen Nakada, MD, FACS, FRCS (Glasg.) is the Chairman of the Department of Urology at the University of Wisconsin. Dr. Nakada is well-recognized as a leader in academic endourology but also lectures extensively on leadership and leadership cultivation. He is also the editor of Navigating Organized Urology, a text offering practical guidance to developing a successful career in urology (and surgery). (Music Credit: Sunshine, Simon Jomphe Lepine.)
2021-10-3142 minOperate with Zen21. Depression, Suicide and Physicians with Dr. Karen SwartzKaren Swartz, MD is Director of Clinical and Educational Programs at the Johns Hopkins Mood Disorders Center. Depression, suicide and the specific relations to medicine and surgery are discussed in this sobering podcast. (Music Credit: Sunshine, Simon Jomphe Lepine.)
2021-10-3152 minOperate with Zen20. Mindful Management of Vacation with Dr. Angela SmithAngela Smith, MD is an Associate Professor of Urology, Vice Chair of Academic Affairs and Director of Urologic Oncology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In this episode we discuss taking time away from work, managing your calendar, your email and other communications while away. Tons of practical tidbits for providers of all levels are shared. (Music Credit: Sunshine, Simon Jomphe Lepine.)
2021-10-3152 minOperate with Zen19. Purpose with Dr. Patrick C. WalshDr. Patrick C. Walsh is the Chairman Emeritus of the Brady Urological Institute and a Professor of Urology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He is recognized internationally as a pioneer in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. His life-story and career in surgery reflect presence, kindness, faith, and resolute commitment to purpose. (Music Credit: Sunshine, Simon Jomphe Lepine.)
2021-10-3135 minOperate with Zen17. Resilience through Burnout with Dr. Yotam HeinebergDr. Yotam Heineberg is a clinical supervisor for therapists in training and lecturer for Palo Alto University, as well as a collaborating scientist with the Applied Psychological Interventions Associate at CCARE, Stanford University. His focus on compassion-based therapy is applied to numerous clinical settings to help individuals and teams cope with systematic burnout. To learn more about Dr. Heineberg, visit: https://www.dryotamheineberg.com/. (Music Credit: Sunshine, Simon Jomphe Lepine.)
2021-10-3146 minOperate with Zen16. Mindful Decision Making - (Part 3) Avoiding Poor DecisionsMedicine and surgery require complex problem solving and tough decisions are made every single day. In Part 3 of this three-part, solo, mini-series, the frameworks of heuristics, biases , emotion, ethics, and other challenges to effective decision making are reviewed in hopes of avoiding poor decisions. (Music Credit: Sunshine, Simon Jomphe Lepine.)
2021-10-3128 minOperate with Zen15. Mindful Decision Making - Book Review, 7 Ways to Think Different (Looby McNamara) with Dr. Granville LloydAs part of the Mindful Decision Making series, Dr. Granville Lloyd and I review 7 Ways to Think Differently by Looby McNamara. This book is based on principles of permaculture where the creation of resilient, healthy, productive systems shape decision making. The parallels to medicine and surgery are clear and we hope you enjoy. (Music Credit: Sunshine, Simon Jomphe Lepine.)
2021-10-3144 min