BOSS Business of Surgery Series

By Amy Vertrees, MDBusiness Medicine Health & Fitness Education Self-Improvement Careers

BOSS Business of Surgery Series episodes

July 14, 2025Ep. 190 Lion Taming: Finding Your Power in Negotiations
Episode Highlights
✅ Introduction to Lion Taming (00:00:00)
Dr. Amy Vertrees introduces the “Lion Taming” master class on power and negotiation.
Highlights her coaching program for women surgeons, helping them handle difficult colleagues, power dynamics, and negotiations.
Defines BOSS as a suite of coaching and courses teaching crucial career skills often missing from surgical training.
✅ Who (or What) is the Lion? (00:02:08)
“Lions” = Anyone who can harm your career, reputation, or confidence—senior colleagues, competitors, even patients.
The most dangerous lions are sometimes the most powerless or wounded.
Lion taming means:
Finding your own power
Managing those with power over you
Acting despite fear
Leading without formal authority
✅ Stress Responses in Conflict (00:05:52)
Workplace conflicts trigger strong emotions like anger, fear, shame, or sadness.
These emotions often stem from being dismissed, interrupted, or undermined.
Four stress responses: Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn.
Lion taming often involves recognizing and managing the “fight” response.
Lesson from Androcles & the Lion: understanding and soothing the “lion’s pain” can transform conflict into cooperation.
✅ New Approaches to Negotiation (00:12:15)
Avoid using:
The “Hammer” (intimidation)
The “Armor” (withholding vulnerability)
Instead, aim for:
Honesty
Genuine curiosity
Emotional intelligence
Insights from Kasia Urbaniak’s “Woman’s Guide to Power Unbound”:
Dominance: Knowing and using your power
Submission: Knowing what you want and influencing others to give it to you
✅ Self-Discovery & Managing Lions (00:16:35)
Crucial steps for effective negotiation:
Know your strengths and weaknesses
Understand what you truly want
Believe in your capacity to achieve it
Reduce the lion’s perceived threat by envisioning the best version of them.
Negotiation isn’t purely logical—it’s driven by emotion and the sense of safety.
✅ Three Steps to Tame a Lion (00:25:20)
Anchor: Create safety and stability within yourself.
Align: Shift attention outward to engage strategically.
Ask: Make a clear, powerful request.
Recognize where your attention is:
Inward focus = Submission
Outward focus = Dominance
✅ Power is Not a Threat—It’s a Tool (00:35:55)
Power exists to influence, not intimidate.
Dr. Vertrees encourages listeners to use their power for positive change.
Power Negotiations course topics include:
Identifying your needs
Reading others’ needs
Practical negotiation techniques
Surviving high-stakes conversations
The “CEO Self-Concept”: Think of yourself as your own business, making choices aligned with your mission and values.
✅ Coaching Program Details (00:41:33)
Weekly live sessions
Private podcast + Facebook group
Email support
Discounted 1:1 coaching calls
Dr. Vertrees encourages potential clients to discuss fit before joining.
Action Items
📝 Visit bosssurgery.com to:
Learn more about coaching
Join the group program
Access resources for negotiating and managing challenging dynamics
Quote of the Episode
“True confidence is the willingness to feel any negative emotion—and act anyway.”
— Dr. Amy Vertrees
46 min
July 07, 2025Ep. 189 Trauma Surgery to Conflict Resolution: Dr. Shannon Foster’s Journey to Healing Healthcare Teams
🔎 Episode Highlights
Career Evolution and Motivation
Dr. Foster shares her journey from growing up in a working-class family in Ohio to becoming a trauma surgeon.
Discusses how experiences in diverse healthcare settings—from academic to rural—revealed widespread communication issues.
COVID-19 became a catalyst for shifting toward consulting, helping physicians navigate workplace conflicts.
Identifying Workplace Problems and Seeking Help
Common issues include HR conflicts, legal concerns, or interpersonal problems affecting clinical performance.
Dr. Foster’s process involves deeply exploring the context, policies, and communications surrounding a conflict.
Listeners can connect with her:
🌐 smffacilitation.com
📧 [email protected]
Understanding Institutional Policies and Employee Rights
Importance of knowing:
Employment contracts
Policy manuals
Bylaws and HR reporting protocols
Transparency in areas like workload distribution and salary is key to preventing misunderstandings.
Communication and Healthy Relationships
Communication is crucial for maintaining healthy workplace dynamics.
Misalignments in team vision often escalate into conflict.
Encourages proactive relationship-building to foster respect and mutual support.
Elevating Issues and Defining Bullying and Harassment
How to recognize when issues should go to HR or legal:
Bullying = misuse of authority to undermine others
Harassment = violation of personal autonomy (includes sexual harassment and interference with patient care)
Positive conflict can drive growth; negative conflict damages morale and productivity.
Strategies for Individuals and Departments
Leadership skills and talent management are vital for a healthy team culture.
Encourages leaders to:
Improve meeting structures
Ensure all voices are heard
Align team visions to reduce conflict
Business Information and Goal
Dr. Foster offers a 30-minute free consultation for individuals or organizations seeking help with workplace conflict.
Her mission: support surgeons’ well-being and retention in the workforce, ultimately improving patient care.
✅ Action Items
Reach out to Dr. Foster:
Website: smffacilitation.com
Email: [email protected]
Take advantage of the free 30-minute consultation if facing workplace challenges.
Review your institutional policies and communication strategies to prevent conflict escalation.
39 min
June 25, 2025 Ep 188 The prolonged stress cycle
Summary
Dr. Amy Vertrees, the host, introduces the episode focusing on the prolonged stress cycle, a topic relevant to many, especially female surgeons, given the various stressors in medicine and the world . She notes that this topic arose from discussions within the female boss surgeons group, emphasizing its importance and broad applicability . The group, which meets weekly and twice monthly on Sundays, covers topics not typically addressed in residency but crucial for career and mental health .
Dr. Vertrees shares her background as a general surgeon and certified coach, highlighting her experiences in military and civilian settings, as well as private practice, which led her to create the Boss Business and Surgery series . She details the program's structure, including three-month modules on dealing with difficult colleagues and managing the impact of complications . The discussion emphasizes the pervasive nature of stress, exacerbated by global events and the demands of being a surgeon .
The prolonged stress cycle often begins in training, with experiences that may have been hostile or malignant, impacting future stress responses . Dr. Vertrees references the book "What Happened to You?" by Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey, explaining how prolonged stress can dysregulate the nervous system, hindering rational thinking . She differentiates between regulated stress, which builds resilience, and dysregulated stress, which results from extreme, prolonged, and unpredictable situations .
Dr. Vertrees explains the stress cycle, involving a trigger, a stress response (fight, flight, freeze, or fawn), and a physiological reaction . Recognizing one's physiological stress response is crucial, as it serves as a red flag indicating excessive stress . She provides an example of a stressful surgical scenario, emphasizing that recognizing a stress response is a sign of awareness, not a personal failing . Finding a colleague in such situations can provide stability and prevent potentially harmful actions .
The discussion covers the importance of emotional regulation, especially for new attendings, and the impact of decision fatigue . Impaired coping mechanisms, such as doom scrolling or overeating, can worsen the stress cycle . Confidence is defined as the ability to manage any emotion, including fear and uncertainty, while still acting effectively . Practical techniques to interrupt the stress cycle include deep breathing exercises, focusing on the next best step, and box breathing .
Dr.Vertrees stresses that emotional and physiological regulation is crucial for surgeons, who are leaders of their teams and responsible for their patients . She advises on communicating with families during stressful events, emphasizing the importance of reassuring them that their loved one is okay . The value of having a second set of skilled eyes, such as residents, is highlighted, as they can prevent potentially devastating mistakes .
Strategies to manage the stress cycle include awareness and tracking, physiological regulation, emotional processing, cognitive reframing, and setting boundaries . Purpose and value alignment, along with gratitude, are also important . Dr. Vertings recommends finding a challenge network, a group of supportive individuals who can be relied upon during difficult times . She concludes by promoting the Boss Female Surgeons Group Coaching Program and other resources available at bosssurgery.com .
Chapter
Introduction to Prolonged Stress Cycle
Dr. AmyVertrees introduces the episode's focus on the prolonged stress cycle, a topic of significant relevance, particularly for female surgeons, given the multitude of stressors present in both medicine and the broader world. She highlights that this subject emerged from discussions within the female boss surgeons group, underscoring its importance and widespread applicability.
The Female Boss Surgeons Group
Dr. V describes the group of female surgeons who meet weekly, Wednesdays at 6 p.m. Central, and twice a month on Sundays, to discuss topics often overlooked in residency but essential for career advancement and mental well-being.
Dr. Vertings' Background and the Boss Business and Surgery Series
Dr. V shares her background as a general surgeon and certified coach, emphasizing her experiences in military and civilian settings, as well as in private practice, which inspired her to create the Boss Business and Surgery series. She notes that the business was reinvigorated in 2020 to address new challenges faced by surgeons.
Program Structure: Difficult Colleagues and Complications
Dr. V details the program's structure, which includes three-month modules dedicated to addressing difficult colleagues and managing the impact of complications. She emphasizes that the program teaches strategies to improve relationships and positively influence workplace dynamics.
Pervasive Nature of Stress
The discussion emphasizes the pervasive nature of stress, which is exacerbated by global events and the inherent demands of being a surgeon. Dr. V mentions theories suggesting that the high level of stress in the world may be intentional, designed to keep people off balance and disengaged.
Stress Cycle in Training and Early Career
The prolonged stress cycle often begins during training, with experiences that may have been hostile or malignant, significantly impacting future stress responses. Dr. V reflects on her own training, initially downplaying its hostility but later recognizing its challenging aspects.
"What Happened to You?" and Dysregulated Nervous System
Dr. V references the book "What Happened to You?" by Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey, explaining how prolonged stress can dysregulate the nervous system, hindering rational thinking. She explains that stress can overwhelm the primitive brain, preventing signals from reaching the smart part of the brain.
Regulated vs. Dysregulated Stress
Dr. V differentiates between regulated stress, which builds tolerance and resilience, and dysregulated stress, which results from extreme, prolonged, and unpredictable situations. She notes that predictable, moderate, and controllable stress can lead to productive stress responses.
The Stress Cycle: Trigger, Response, and Physiological Reaction
Dr. V explains the stress cycle, which involves a trigger, a stress response (fight, flight, freeze, or fawn), and a physiological reaction. She emphasizes that recognizing these responses is crucial for managing stress effectively.
Recognizing Physiological Stress Response
Recognizing one's physiological stress response is crucial, as it serves as a red flag indicating excessive stress. Dr. V provides examples such as increased heart rate, muscle tension, and poor sleep.
Surgical Scenario and Stress Response
Dr. V provides an example of a stressful surgical scenario, emphasizing that recognizing a stress response is a sign of awareness, not a personal failing. She notes that in high-stress situations, the primitive brain can take over, hindering clear thinking.
Finding a Colleague for Stability
Finding a colleague in stressful situations can provide stability and prevent potentially harmful actions. Dr. V likens this to grabbing onto a stable object during a tornado.
Emotional Regulation and Decision Fatigue
The discussion covers the importance of emotional regulation, especially for new attendings, and the impact of decision fatigue. Dr. Vertings notes that making numerous decisions can impair one's ability to make further decisions effectively.
Impaired Coping Mechanisms
Impaired coping mechanisms, such as doom scrolling or overeating, can worsen the stress cycle. Dr. V explains that these behaviors are often attempts to avoid negative feelings but ultimately lead to increased vulnerability.
Confidence as Emotional Regulation
Confidence is defined as the ability to manage any emotion, including fear and uncertainty, while still acting effectively. Dr. V emphasizes that courage is acting despite feeling fear.
Techniques to Interrupt the Stress Cycle
Practical techniques to interrupt the stress cycle include deep breathing exercises, focusing on the next best step, and box breathing. Dr. V mentions Dr. Robin Tiger's advice on using deep breathing for both surgeons and patients.
Importance of Emotional and Physiological Regulation
Dr. V stresses that emotional and physiological regulation is crucial for surgeons, who are leaders of their teams and responsible for their patients. She notes that a calm leader can help the team remain calm and effective.
Communicating with Families During Stressful Events
Dr. V advises on communicating with families during stressful events, emphasizing the importance of reassuring them that their loved one is okay. She suggests leading with the assurance that the patient is fine before explaining the details.
Value of a Second Set of Skilled Eyes
The value of having a second set of skilled eyes, such as residents, is highlighted, as they can prevent potentially devastating mistakes. Dr. Vertings shares a personal experience where a resident prevented her from making a significant error.
Strategies to Manage the Stress Cycle
Strategies to manage the stress cycle include awareness and tracking, physiological regulation, emotional processing, cognitive reframing, and setting boundaries. Dr. V emphasizes the importance of naming and owning feelings.
Purpose, Value Alignment, and Gratitude
Purpose and value alignment, along with gratitude, are also important. Dr. V suggests reflecting on past experiences to identify one's values and aligning actions with those values.
Finding a Challenge Network
Dr. V recommends finding a challenge network, a group of supportive individuals who can be relied upon during difficult times. She credits Dr. Jill Clark for this concept.
Promotion of Boss Female Surgeons Group Coaching Program
Dr. V concludes by promoting the Boss Female Surgeons Group Coaching Program and other resources available at bosssurgery.com. She mentions upcoming topics such as power and negotiating, as well as strategies for managing clinic and developing a CEO self-concept.
38 min
June 16, 2025Ep 187 Reclaiming power, purpose and peace after a life quake with Dr. Jill Clark
The latest BOSS podcast episode features Dr. Jill Clark, with a truly inspiring story. She had her dream job as a colorectal surgeon in a beautiful city, respected by her peers. But under the surface, she felt a growing discontent—one that she tried to ignore until life forced her to listen. Between the pandemic, a breast cancer diagnosis, and an unraveling work environment, Jill felt like a hurricane leveled her life. What happened next wasn’t just a recovery—it was a reinvention.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
How to recognize red flags that your job may not be the right fit
Why “quitting” can be a sign of strength, not failure
The value of a "challenge network" and coaching when navigating change
How to get clear on what you want—and ensure a “want match” before accepting your next position
Dr. Clark’s honesty is refreshing, her insight is hard-won, and her story is exactly what so many surgeons need to hear right now.

Find me at: https://www.centeredsurgeon.com/
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillclarkmd/
1 hr 6 min
June 09, 2025Ep 186 Becoming a great speaker with Cesar Cervantes
🎧 Episode Summary:
What makes a great speech? In this episode, Dr. Amy Vertrees welcomes Cesar Cervantes, author, stand-up comedian turned speaker coach, and expert on public speaking strategy. Cesar shares how his comedy roots led him to discover the power of humor, vulnerability, and story structure—and how surgeons and professionals alike can apply these principles to speak with authenticity and impact.
Whether you’re giving a keynote, TEDx talk, or medical presentation, Cesar offers actionable advice on overcoming nerves, building credibility without listing credentials, and centering your talk around your audience—not yourself.
🧠 Key Takeaways:
The True Purpose of Speaking: It’s not about showcasing yourself—it’s about transforming your audience.
Common Mistakes Speakers Make: Poor structure, over-reliance on personal stories, and performance anxiety.
Establishing Credibility: Use relatable experiences and natural conversation, not a list of accomplishments.
TEDx-Level Structure: Focus on the audience’s journey. Present the problem, guide them through it, and offer a solution.
Overcoming Nervousness: Be prepared, shift focus to your audience, and use physiological tools (like exercise and breathing).
The ROI of Public Speaking: Boost your credibility, expand your reach, and grow your impact both professionally and personally.
🔍 Topics Covered:
How stand-up comedy taught Cesar the value of authentic connection
Why humor and vulnerability create trust on stage
The differences between keynotes, TEDx talks, and workshops
The three biggest pain points in speaking: structure, writing, delivery
The value of ghostwriting and coaching for professionals
How speaking can enhance your surgical, clinical, and leadership voice
Tips for stage presence and battling performance anxiety
Making the shift from "what do I say?" to "how can I serve?"
📘 Resources & Mentions:
Get your book here Great Speech by Cesar Cervantes

Speaker Coach & Speechwriter
Schedule a call here!
Subscribe to the Newsletter
Join hisFacebook group:
Join the fun here!
Want to work with Cesar?
Learn more about our TEDx Mentorship
Let's write your Keynote Speech
📣 Call to Action
✅ Want to speak with more confidence and clarity?
✅ Thinking about your next big talk, panel, or lecture?
🎧 Don’t miss this episode—and grab a copy of Great Speech to start crafting talks that truly matter.
👉 Subscribe to the BOSS Business of Surgery Series on your favorite podcast platform, and leave a review if this episode helped you!
36 min
June 02, 2025 Ep. 185 Leaving Insurance Behind: How Dr. Meryl Kahan Built a Direct Care Gynecology Practice
42 min
May 19, 2025 Ep 184: Pivoting with purpose: getting what you need out of every job with Dr. Renee Allen
59 min
May 05, 2025Ep 183: Creating predictability in unpredictable economic times with Dr. Elisa Chiang
Summary
Dr. Elisa Chiang discussed strategies for creating predictability in unpredictable economic times, emphasizing that the fundamentals of the economy are generally sound, with current uncertainty stemming from external factors. She highlighted the importance of understanding economic interrelations and the potential impact of challenging international relationships.
Dr. Chiang suggested that individuals and businesses should evaluate their dependencies and explore ways to become more self-reliant. For physicians, this includes recognizing the value of their skills and exploring options beyond traditional employment, such as private practice or becoming invaluable within their current roles. She also emphasized the importance of diversifying income streams and managing personal finances to reduce reliance on a single paycheck.
The conversation also covered strategies for physicians to increase their income, such as specializing in high-value procedures, leveraging support staff, and improving efficiency. Dr. Chiang advised questioning fixed mindsets, challenging existing beliefs, and experimenting with new approaches to adapt to unpredictable times. She also discussed tax planning, investment strategies, and the importance of maintaining a long-term perspective when dealing with market volatility. For those nearing retirement, she recommended assessing risk tolerance, diversifying portfolios, and building a cash cushion.
Dr. Chiang offers one-on-one coaching to help individuals navigate their financial situations and achieve their financial goals. Her podcast, 'Grow Your Wealthy Mindset,' provides financial literacy in bite-sized pieces, helping listeners build the knowledge and mindset needed to create financial stability.
Chapters
Introduction to Predictability in Unpredictable Times
Elisa Chiang was invited to discuss creating predictability in unpredictable economic times.
The discussion is framed as non-political, focusing on the factual unpredictability of the world.
The goal is to provide strategies for individuals to make their financial situations more predictable.
Economic Fundamentals and Global Interdependence
Chiang stated that the fundamentals of the economy are still good, unlike the issues in 2008 with banking regulation.
The current uncertainty is attributed to the actions and statements of certain individuals.
The discussion highlights the importance of understanding the complexities of economics and global interrelations.
Anytime decisions are made from an independent place, you start to realize we're actually not independent at all.
Challenging Independence and Embracing Interdependence
Chiang suggests challenging the idea of complete independence and recognizing interdependence on others.
Asking questions about dependencies and self-reliance is valuable, but actions must be carefully considered.
Many people feel dependent on their paycheck, but physicians have options due to the physician shortage.
Separating the ability to produce income from the current job can create stability.
Creating Independence and Managing Control
The discussion covers the mentality behind creating a private practice and the desire for independence.
It's noted that even in private practice, there is still interdependence on systems and people.
The focus should be on how to become independent and self-determining results in situations where you don't have control over all of these things.
It's important to understand what you can and can't control.
Strategies for Exerting Independence
Chiang suggests becoming an entrepreneur within your job to make yourself invaluable.
This involves attracting patients directly and highlighting your value to the practice or institution.
Employers care about generating income, so making yourself invaluable in this area is crucial.
Taking care of personal finances and creating multiple income streams reduces reliance on a single paycheck.
Translating Value into Income
The inherent value of experience, training, and knowledge is highlighted.
Physicians translate this value into income through their actions.
The trap of trading time for money limits income potential unless value is translated into different income streams.
The discussion explores ways physicians can generate income outside the classic RVU model.
Increasing Income within the Physician Realm
Specializing in specific procedures or surgeries can elevate income.
Leveraging other people, such as nurse practitioners, can double clinic output.
Hiring scribes can increase productivity and collections.
Physicians should work at the top of their income level, delegating tasks to others.
Mindset Shifts for Unpredictable Times
Adopting a growth mindset can help individuals respond more effectively in unpredictable times.
Questioning current beliefs and challenging the status quo is important.
Comparing oneself to others who are thriving can provide insights and motivation.
Willingness to spend money to make money and accepting failure are key to success.
Helping Individuals Deal with Change
Questioning the truth of current situations and exploring potential changes is crucial.
Experimenting with small changes and learning from others can lead to improvements.
Advocating for necessary resources, such as dedicated scrub techs, can increase efficiency.
Believing in the potential for change and presenting a clear case for it is essential.
Financial Viability in Private Practice
A simple formula for private practice success is income minus expenses minus tax burden.
All three factors can be influenced in different ways.
Leveraging people, doing more cases, and optimizing income streams are ways to increase income.
Tax burden can be managed through various strategies.
Tax Planning and Side Businesses
Every time is unpredictable, so framing the mindset accordingly is important.
The more we think like, yeah, the world is doing whatever it's worlding. The world is doing whatever it's doing. We can make our own predictivity, then we don't have to keep thinking like, oh, it's unpredictable, and we have no way to affect it. It's just always unpredictable.
As a W-2 employee, there are limited options for tax reduction.
Having a side business can provide opportunities to write off personal expenses.
Side hustles should align with passions and translate into value and money.
Time Management and Productivity
Finding something else that you need to find you having to find more time in order to do something helps you structure your time so that you are most efficient with your time.
Limited time resources require careful management.
Calendaring and time-blocking can improve efficiency.
Having a list of tasks that can be done in 10-15 minute intervals can boost productivity.
Managing Retirement Funds
If retirement is 10 years or more away, continue with the financial plan and consider contributing more.
Maximize retirement accounts and explore other savings options.
Buying stocks when they are on sale can be a great strategy.
Establish a risk tolerance and adjust investment strategies accordingly.
Investment Strategies and Risk Tolerance
The stock market tends to go up over time, especially with more people investing.
Investing during downturns can lead to better outcomes.
Even in retirement, there is still a long investing career ahead.
Avoid panic selling and maintain a long-term perspective.
Retirement Planning and Withdrawal Rates
Assess investment strategies and consider shifting to a more conservative portfolio if nearing retirement.
Develop a cash cushion to avoid selling stocks during the first few years of retirement.
Understand what money is for and focus on enjoyment and security.
Consider a Monte Cristo analysis to assess the chances of running out of money.
Dr. Chang's Coaching and Podcast
Chiang offers one-on-one coaching to help individuals reach their financial goals.
She provides a judgment-free zone to discuss finances and job transitions.
Her podcast, 'Grow Your Wealthy Mindset,' provides financial literacy in bite-sized pieces.
The podcast helps listeners learn the information and mindset needed to create financial stability.
Action Items
Dr. Chiang suggested individuals and businesses should evaluate their dependencies and explore ways to become more self-reliant.
Dr. Chiang advised physicians to recognize the value of their skills and explore options beyond traditional employment.
Dr. Chiang emphasized the importance of diversifying income streams and managing personal finances.
Dr. Chiang recommended questioning fixed mindsets and experimenting with new approaches.
Dr. Chiang advised assessing risk tolerance and diversifying portfolios.
Dr. Chiang recommended building a cash cushion for those nearing retirement.

Growyourwealthymindset.com
41 min
April 25, 2025 Ep 182 Are you a slow surgeon?
Summary
The meeting focused on discussing the concept of being a 'slow surgeon' and strategies for managing surgical performance and confidence.
The speaker began by exploring what 'slow' means in surgical context, encouraging participants to share their perspectives. Participants noted that slowness could be relative, influenced by comparison to others, and affected by various factors including system constraints, knowledge, skill, and self-talk.
The speaker emphasized that perception of speed isn't just internal but also involves others' impressions. They discussed how the Da Vinci robot provides metrics that sometimes contradict personal perceptions of speed.
A significant portion of the discussion centered on mindset and thought patterns. The speaker introduced the thought model, based on cognitive behavioral therapy, explaining how facts trigger thoughts, which lead to emotions and ultimately actions. They emphasized the importance of reframing negative thoughts and managing both internal and external criticism.
The presentation included practical strategies for building confidence, including mental rehearsal, grounding statements, and team briefing. The speaker also discussed the importance of self-compassion and accepting that mistakes are part of the learning process.
The session concluded with information about a coaching program designed to help surgeons navigate various challenges, including complications, difficult colleagues, and practice management.
Chapters
Understanding the Concept of 'Slow' in Surgery00:00:16
The speaker initiated a discussion about what it means to be a 'slow surgeon', encouraging participants to examine their perceptions of slowness. The concept was explored as both a measure of time and a feeling, with participants noting it's often relative to others' performance.
The Impact of Mindset in the Operating Room00:02:36
The speaker discussed how mindset influences performance, emphasizing the importance of understanding both personal opinions and others' perceptions in the OR. They explored how thoughts influence behavior and experience.
Managing Internal and External Perceptions00:04:04
The discussion covered how surgeons can manage both their internal dialogue and external feedback. The speaker emphasized the importance of reframing thoughts and handling criticism constructively.
Building Confidence Through Preparation00:12:19
The speaker presented strategies for building confidence, including assessing current reality, setting goals, and understanding how to improve both self-perception and others' perceptions.
Practical Tools for Improvement00:54:52
The presentation included specific tools and techniques for improving surgical performance, including mental rehearsal, grounding statements, and effective team communication.
Action Items
The speaker recommended implementing a performance dashboard to track surgical steps and confidence levels00:29:06 The speaker suggested developing clear communication and boundaries when working with fellows00:14:02 The speaker advised creating specific benchmarks for both personal performance and fellow training00:14:55 The speaker recommended implementing pre-operative mental rehearsal with specific time boundaries00:51:05 The speaker suggested developing grounding statements for managing thoughts and emotions in the OR00:51:59
1 hr 6 min
April 14, 2025 Ep 181: The evolving anesthesia care team and keeping track of credentialing documents with Sarah Bellenger, MBA, MSN, CRNA
Summary
Dr. Amy Vertrees hosts a discussion with Sarah Bellenger, a CRNA with extensive military and civilian healthcare experience. Sarah discusses her journey from military service to civilian practice, and the development of her app 'ManageYou'.
Sarah Bellenger shares her 25-year nursing career experience, including service at the White House, military deployments, and transition to civilian practice. She emphasizes the importance of team-based care and the evolving role of CRNAs, particularly in rural healthcare settings.
The discussion explores the challenges in anesthesia care team models, with Sarah explaining how CRNAs work independently in rural settings while collaborating with anesthesiologists in urban areas. She notes that the industry faces a significant staffing shortage, with a need for various provider types to ensure adequate coverage.
Sarah introduces her app 'ManageYou', developed to address the widespread challenge of managing healthcare credentials. The app, available in both app stores, helps healthcare providers track and manage their professional documents, certifications, and licenses. She mentions that credential management is a $39 billion industry, and document mismanagement can cost facilities approximately $9,000 per day in lost billables.
The discussion concludes with Sarah outlining future developments for ManageYou, including enhanced security features and potential integration with national credentialing systems. She emphasizes the importance of making credential management more efficient and accessible for healthcare providers.
Chapters
Introduction and Background
Dr. Amy Vertrees introduces Sarah Bellenger, a CRNA with extensive military experience who developed an app for credential management. Sarah shares her 25-year nursing career journey, including service at the White House and multiple deployments.
Evolution of CRNA Practice
Sarah discusses the differences between military and civilian CRNA practice, emphasizing the importance of independent practice capabilities, especially in rural healthcare settings. She explains how military training prepares CRNAs for autonomous practice.
Anesthesia Care Team Models
Sarah explains the various anesthesia care team models, discussing the collaboration between CRNAs and anesthesiologists, particularly in urban versus rural settings. She addresses the industry-wide staffing challenges and potential solutions.
ManageYou App Development
Sarah describes the development of ManageYou, inspired by personal experiences with credential management challenges. She explains how the app helps healthcare providers organize and track their professional documents and certifications.
Security and Future Development
Sarah outlines the security measures implemented in ManageYou and discusses future developments, including enhanced features and potential integration with national credentialing systems.
Action Items
Sarah Bellenger mentioned the launch of ManageYou app in both Google Play and App Store for healthcare providers to manage their credentials
Sarah Bellenger indicated plans to implement new security features for the app that exceed current standards
Sarah Bellenger proposed integration with NCQA and other national credentialing systems for streamlined verification processes
Sarah Bellenger recommended starting credential documentation with high-priority items like diplomas and frequently renewed certifications like CPR

Linktree: http://linktr.ee/manageyou
Website: www.manageyouapp.com
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/manage-you/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/manageyou_app
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Manageyouapp1
42 min