In this episode of the Hernia Gods Podcast, Dr. Luke Elms sits down with Dr. Philip George, Assistant Professor of Surgery at Columbia University Medical Center, to talk about his unconventional journey into medicine, surgery, and ultimately the world of hernia.

From discovering surgery through mentors like Dr. Brian Jacob and Dr. Igor Belyansky, to navigating fellowship during the COVID-19 pandemic and making the leap from private practice to academic surgery — Philip shares the experiences and people that helped shape his career.

A great conversation about mentorship, finding your path, and paying it forward.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed on this podcast belong solely to the hosts and guests, and do not serve as a representation of or necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or opinions of any of our employers.

In this special episode of the Hernia Gods Podcast, Dr. Luke Elms, takes listeners behind the scenes to share the story of how the podcast began and the purpose behind it. Luke talks about his own experiences with imposter syndrome, the inspiration he found at the American Hernia Society conference, and why he believes even the most respected surgeons are ultimately “mere mortals” facing many of the same challenges.

He also discusses the importance of community, mentorship, balancing surgery and family, and creating a space where surgeons can have honest conversations beyond the operating room. 

Luke also drops a sneak peek at something new coming to the Hernia Gods Podcast…

 You’ll have to listen to find out!

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed on this podcast belong solely to the hosts and guests, and do not serve as a representation of or necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or opinions of Orlando Health or any of our employers.

On this episode of the Hernia Gods Podcast, Dr. Luke Elms sits down with Sean Ornstein, MD to discuss his journey into hernia and abdominal wall surgery. Sean shares how his early love of fixing things led him to surgery, his research years studying mesh and hernia repair, and his training alongside leaders in the field at Case Western. They also dive into the evolution of hernia surgery as a true subspecialty, the tight-knit hernia community, mentorship, research, and what continues to drive Sean’s passion for the craft.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed on this podcast belong solely to the hosts and guests, and do not serve as a representation of or necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or opinions of Orlando Health or any of our employers.

In this episode of the Hernia Gods Podcast, Dr. Luke Elms sits down with Agustin Alvarez, MD, from Chile, to discuss his unique journey in surgery, overcoming career challenges, and the importance of persistence. They dive into balancing family and career, global collaboration, patient relationships, and the future of AI in medicine—while emphasizing the importance of keeping the human connection at the center of healthcare.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed on this podcast belong solely to the hosts and guests, and do not serve as a representation of or necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or opinions of Orlando Health or any of our employers.

In this episode of the Hernia Gods Podcast, Dr. Luke Elms sits down with renowned abdominal wall surgeon Prof. Ramana Balasubramaniam to discuss innovation, authenticity, and the lessons learned from a career at the forefront of minimally invasive surgery. From pioneering techniques in India to building a new practice in Australia, Dr. Ram shares candid insights on embracing failure, mentoring the next generation, and how AI may shape the future of hernia surgery.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed on this podcast belong solely to the hosts and guests, and do not serve as a representation of or necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or opinions of Orlando Health or any of our employers.

In Episode 25 of The Hernia Gods Podcast, Dr. Luke Elms sits down with Dr. Alfredo Carbonell II, a nationally recognized leader in abdominal wall reconstruction and complex hernia surgery. The conversation goes beyond the operating room, exploring the experiences, mentors, and mindset that have shaped Dr. Carbonell’s career.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed on this podcast belong solely to the hosts and guests, and do not serve as a representation of or necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or opinions of Orlando Health or any of our employers.

Episode 24 of The Hernia Gods Podcast with guest Igor Belyansky, MD features a conversation about his experience of immigrating to the US, mentorship in fellowship, balancing family and career, and the future of hernia surgery.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed on this podcast belong solely to the hosts and guests, and do not serve as a representation of or necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or opinions of Orlando Health or any of our employers.

Episode 23 of The Hernia Gods Podcast with Michael J. Rosen, MD features a candid conversation about mentorship, complications, the ACHQC, and his thoughts on the surgery community's relationship with industry.

Episode 22 of The Hernia Gods Podcast with Diego Lima, MD MSc features a great discussion on his life and career including going through training again in the US, his contributions to the hernia research world, and AI in surgery.

Episode 21 of The Hernia Gods Podcast features a great chat with Peter Santoro, MD, FACS about the difference between speed and efficiency, the beauty and struggle of being a parent and surgeon, the difficulty of accepting praise for our work, and the realities of mental health in the medical field.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed on this podcast belong solely to the hosts and guests, and do not serve as a representation of or necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or opinions of Orlando Health or any of our employers.