Dr. Damon Herr, a distinguished surgeon, shares his journey through medicine, emphasizing the importance of compassionate leadership and emotional intelligence. Dr. Herr reflects on the role empathy plays in patient care, how his background in psychology shaped his approach, and the crucial role that compassion plays, not only in surgery, but also in mentorship and leadership. His personal experiences, including his mission work and family life, highlight the balance between professional success and personal well-being.

Dr. Damon N. Herr, a California native, has been a General Surgeon at Kaiser Permanente's Sacramento Medical Center since 2001, with a focus on breast surgery. He earned his Bachelor's in Psychology from San Jose State University and his M.D. from Howard University, followed by a General Surgery residency at Loma Linda University. He serves as Chair of the Multidisciplinary Breast Cancer Tumor Board and plays a key role in the Breast Cancer Surgical Practice. He also served as the Assistant Chief of the Department of Surgery and currently serves as Volunteer Clinical Faculty for the U.C. Davis Surgical Residence, where he mentors and trains future surgeons. Dr. Herr also leads the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program and serves on the Surgical Subspecialty Quality Committee. He is affiliated with the American Board of Surgery, American College of Surgeons, and other professional organizations.