Guest: Dr. Jordan Swanson, Pediatric Plastic & Craniofacial Surgeon | Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)

Podcast: the DIEP end

Episode Summary:
In this inspiring episode of The DIEP End, hosts Dr. Saїd Azoury and Hank Davis sit down with Dr. Jordan Swanson, a leading craniofacial and pediatric plastic surgeon at CHOP. From building forts in the woods of Washington State to building sustainable surgical centers in Nicaragua, Dr. Swanson shares a remarkable journey shaped by global health, mentorship, and innovation.

Listeners will hear how his unconventional path—including time at Harvard, Johns Hopkins, the London School of Economics, and McKinsey—ultimately reinforced his passion for clinical medicine and patient care. Dr. Swanson reflects on his pioneering global health work with Operation Smile, the legacy of his mentors at Hopkins and CHOP, and his dual practice spanning pediatric craniofacial surgery and gender-affirming care.

This conversation is a masterclass in surgical courage, patient empathy, and the future of plastic surgery—both at home and abroad.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
●      How childhood experiences and global family influences shaped Dr. Swanson’s worldview

●      Why two years away from medical school deepened his passion for clinical medicine

●      Lessons from mentors like Dr. Eduardo Rodriguez, Dr. Paul Manson, and Dr. Linton Whittaker

●      Building sustainable pediatric surgical care in Nicaragua with Operation Smile
●      Balancing innovation and caution in pediatric craniofacial surgery

●      The role of mentorship and bi-directional global training programs

●      Insights into CHOP’s multidisciplinary cleft program and addressing disparities in care

●      How gender-affirming surgery intersects with craniofacial reconstruction
●      The growing role of technology and AI in surgical planning and patient outcomes

●      Practical advice for residents pursuing craniofacial surgery

Quotable Moments:

●      “Healthcare is cool in Philadelphia—you see people walk across the South Street Bridge with pride.”

●      “When you innovate in pediatric surgery, it takes courage. You have to weigh the risk for a lifetime.”

●      “Global surgery isn’t about us setting the agenda—it’s about supporting local surgeons with autonomy.”

●      “Every patient encounter may feel routine for us, but for families, the bottom has just fallen out.”

●      “Curiosity is the most powerful motivator—let it drive your training and career.”

Keywords (SEO-Driven):
plastic surgery podcast, Jordan Swanson CHOP, pediatric plastic surgeon, craniofacial surgery, cleft lip and palate program, global surgery innovation, Operation Smile Nicaragua, Linton Whitaker craniofacial, gender affirming facial surgery, AI in surgical planning, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia plastic surgery, mentorship in surgery, The DIEP End podcast

Follow Dr. Jordan Swanson:

●      CHOP Profile: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Follow The DIEP End:
●      Instagram & YouTube: @thediependpodcast

●      Spotify & Apple Podcasts: The DIEP End

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Guest: Dr. Sherrell J. Aston, Renowned Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon & Educator

Podcast: The DIEP End

Episode Summary:

In this insightful episode of The DIEP End, Dr. Saїd Azoury and Dr. Hank Davis engage with Dr. Sherrell Aston, one of the most influential figures in aesthetic plastic surgery. Dr. Aston shares his journey from humble beginnings in rural Virginia to becoming an internationally recognized expert in facelifts and aesthetic innovation. His storied career includes training at esteemed institutions like UVA, UCLA, Johns Hopkins, and NYU, where he significantly advanced the field of facial plastic surgery.

Dr. Aston candidly discusses the evolution of facelift techniques, from early innovations in SMAS and platysmal approaches to contemporary deep-plane and composite facelifts. He also offers personal anecdotes about balancing academic rigor with private practice, his philosophies on mentorship, patient care, and lifelong learning.

Whether you're a surgical trainee, an established plastic surgeon, or simply fascinated by the world of aesthetic surgery, this episode offers rare insights from a pioneer whose work has shaped generations.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

●      Dr. Aston’s pioneering journey through general and plastic surgery residencies

●      The history and evolution of the facelift, including SMAS and deep-plane techniques

●      His early career challenges and how he integrated private practice with academic surgery

●      Reflections on mentorship and his impactful training legacy at NYU

●      Dr. Aston’s unique insights into patient care and surgical innovation

●      The importance of maintaining physical fitness and balance as a surgeon

Quotable Moments:

●      "Every facelift I do is a '10' until the bandage is on."

●      "Pursue what your heart tells you, otherwise you won't be truly happy."

●      "You learn from everyone—you must leave every meeting knowing something new."

Keywords (SEO-Driven): Sherrell Aston podcast, facelift pioneer, aesthetic plastic surgery, SMAS facelift, deep-plane facelift, aesthetic surgery education, plastic surgery mentorship, surgical innovation, NYU plastic surgery, The DIEP End podcast, UVA medicine, Johns Hopkins plastic surgery

Follow The DIEP End:

●      Instagram & YouTube: @thedeependpodcast

●      Spotify & Apple Podcasts: The DIEP End

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Guest: Dr. Paul Nassif, Celebrity Facial Plastic Surgeon & TV Personality

Podcast: the DIEP end

Episode Summary:

In this lively episode of The DIEP End, Dr. Saїd Azoury and Hank Davis sit down with Dr. Paul Nassif, a renowned facial plastic surgeon widely recognized from his roles on popular TV shows like Botched and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Dr. Nassif takes listeners behind the scenes of his extraordinary life, sharing how his Lebanese upbringing, early business ventures, and celebrity encounters shaped his journey into becoming one of the world’s most respected facial plastic surgeons.

From stories about running a bustling Hollywood restaurant while waiting for medical school acceptance to reflections on the personal and professional challenges of practicing high-stakes revision rhinoplasty, Dr. Nassif offers valuable insights into resilience, innovation, and the realities of life in the public eye. This conversation is perfect for aspiring surgeons, medical enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the intersection of medicine, media, and entrepreneurship.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

●      How Dr. Nassif leveraged his restaurant business skills into his surgical practice

●      Behind-the-scenes insights from the hit show Botched

●      Dr. Nassif’s path from ENT residency to becoming a leader in facial aesthetics

●      Why mentorship and hands-on experience are critical to surgical success

●      The challenges and rewards of public-facing medicine

●      Advice for patients seeking complex revision surgery

●      The influence of Dr. Nassif’s Lebanese-American heritage on his career

Quotable Moments:

●      "I opened a restaurant, and the day I opened, I got accepted into medical school."

●      "Botched took my technical skills to a whole new level."

●      "Don't take shortcuts; they always come back to bite you."

Keywords (SEO-Driven): Paul Nassif podcast, celebrity plastic surgeon, Botched behind-the-scenes, revision rhinoplasty expert, Real Housewives surgeon, Lebanese-American plastic surgeon, facial aesthetic surgery, mentorship in surgery, patient care, plastic surgery innovation, DIEP End podcast, entrepreneurship in medicine

Follow Dr. Nassif:

●      Instagram: @drpaulnassif

●      Website: drpaulnassif.com

Follow The DIEP End:

●      Instagram & YouTube: @thedeependpodcast

●      Spotify & Apple Podcasts: The DIEP End

Leave Us a Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Your feedback helps us continue sharing inspiring conversations.

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Episode Title: Microsurgery Maestro, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (#28)

Guest: Professor Fu-Chan Wei, MD; Microsurgeon | Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan

Podcast: the DIEP end

Episode Summary:

In this special episode of the DIEP end, Dr. Saїd Azoury and Dr. Hank Davis sit down with Professor Fu-Chan Wei, a pioneering figure whose contributions have fundamentally shaped reconstructive microsurgery. Known internationally for refining the vascularized fibula flap technique for jaw reconstruction and his leadership in head and neck microsurgery, Professor Wei offers personal insights into his extraordinary journey—from early mentorship under Dr. Samuel Noordhoff to becoming an influential global figure in reconstructive surgery.

Listeners will gain rare insights into Professor Wei’s unique philosophy of patient care, surgical education, and innovation. This episode explores how he built Chang Gung Memorial Hospital into a world-renowned microsurgical center, emphasizing meticulous preoperative planning, robust resident and fellow training programs, and commitment to surgical excellence.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

●      How Professor Wei unexpectedly made microsurgery the central focus of his career

●      The origins and global impact of vascularized fibula flap techniques for jaw reconstruction

●      Why rigorous preoperative planning and literature review are essential for patient safety

●      Insights into building one of the world's premier microsurgery training programs

●      The critical role Taiwan’s healthcare evolution played in microsurgery’s growth

●      Key lessons for surgical trainees on innovation, humility, and continuous learning

Quotable Moments:

"Innovation requires deep mastery. You can't innovate without truly understanding the basics."

"Quantity is the mother of quality—volume and specialization lead to surgical excellence."

"Microsurgery is not just about technical skills; it's a meticulous process starting long before the operating room."

SEO Keywords: Fu-Chan Wei podcast, microsurgery pioneer, vascularized fibula flap, jaw reconstruction, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, microsurgical training, reconstructive surgery innovations, surgical education, patient safety in surgery, DIEP End podcast, Taiwanese plastic surgery

Follow Professor Fu-Chan Wei:

●      Learn more: Chang Gung Memorial Hospital

Follow The DIEP End:

●      Instagram & YouTube: @thediependpodcast

●      Spotify & Apple Podcasts: The DIEP End

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