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What does it really take to survive and succeed in a system that wasn’t built with you in mind?

In this episode, I explore that question with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Sonya Sloan. We talk about the hidden curriculum of medicine: the unspoken rules, the power dynamics, and the strategies required to navigate surgical training, especially as a Black woman in a historically white, male-dominated field.

From early inspiration in the operating room to enduring microaggressions, bullying, and even physical assault during training, Dr. Sloan shares what she learned, how she protected herself, and why resilience alone is not enough.

This episode is not just about survival; it’s about strategy, leadership, and rewriting the rules for the next generation.

We talk about:

• How her early experiences sparked a career in orthopedics
• What it was like being one of the only Black trainees in a surgical program
• The reality of bias, microaggressions, and exclusion in medicine
• The difference between mentors and true advocates
• A moment of physical assault in the OR, and how she handled it
• Why documentation and strategy are essential for protecting your career
• The hidden “rules” of medicine no one teaches you
• How surgical culture impacts women
• The critical importance of leadership and communication skills
• Why “soft skills” are not optional but essential
• How humor and tone-setting can transform the OR environment
• The emotional toll of training, and the importance of narrative processing
• Why so many trainees feel isolated, targeted, or unsupported
• What needs to change in surgical education right now

Takeaways:

• Resilience isn’t enough. You need strategy, awareness, and support
• Documentation is power in environments where bias exists
• Mentors advise. Advocates act. You need both.
• Microaggressions shape careers, even when they seem subtle
• Leadership skills are not taught, but they are critical to survival
• You don’t have to silently tolerate inappropriate behavior
• Processing your story is part of healing and reclaiming your voice

Learn more about Dr. Sonya Sloan and get her book, The Rules of Medicine here.

Follow Dr. Sloan on instagram here.

Check out Hardball for Women here.

Check out White Fragility here.

Join us inside Empowered Surgeons Group here.