In this episode of the BOSS Business of Surgery Series, we dive into the journey behind the third edition of a widely used surgical textbook. Dr. Mark Neff, the book’s original author, shares how failing his oral board exam inspired him to create a resource that has since transformed surgical education. Joined by Dr. Kay Yoon-Flanery, a fellowship-trained breast surgeon, and Dr. Ashanti Ratnasekera, a trauma and acute care surgeon, the discussion explores the book’s impact, the role of mentorship, and the lessons learned from the oral board experience.

🔹 From Failure to Foundation: Dr. Neff’s journey from failing the oral boards to publishing a comprehensive surgical textbook, initially rejected by multiple publishers before Springer accepted it.
🔹 The Book’s Evolution: How it grew from a simple study guide to a 518-page resource featuring contributions from over 150 authors.
🔹 Mentorship & Support in Surgery: Dr. Yoon-Flanery shares her experiences as a resident navigating pregnancy, with Dr. Neff as a key mentor. Dr. Ratnasekera reflects on how his teaching shaped her approach to minimally invasive surgery.
🔹 Lessons from the Oral Boards: The guests discuss their own exam experiences, including the importance of preparation and focusing on "horses" (common cases) rather than "zebras" (rare ones).
🔹 Future Goals: Expanding the book’s reach beyond surgery, increasing diversity among contributors, and ensuring integrity by keeping board examiners out of the author pool.

This episode is a powerful reminder that failure isn’t the end—it’s often the beginning of something greater. Tune in to hear how persistence, collaboration, and mentorship are shaping the future of surgical education.