The House of Surgery
The House of Surgery® is a podcast brought to you by the American College of Surgeons. In this series, you’ll hear from and about surgeons in all specialties, in all practice configurations, and in all locations—their success stories, advice, challenges they’ve overcome, and words of inspiration—as they serve their patients with quality, integrity, and professionalism … and strive to Heal All with Skill and Trust.
The House of Surgery® is a podcast brought to you by the American College of Surgeons. In this series, you’ll hear from and about surgeons in all specialties, in all practice configurations, and in all locations—their success stories, advice, challenges they’ve overcome, and words of inspiration—as they serve their patients with quality, integrity, and professionalism … and strive to Heal All with Skill and Trust.
Episodes
May 29, 2026
Responsible Use of AI in Surgery
May 29, 2026
May 29, 2026
19 min
In this episode, Dr. Ali Mohamed and Dr. Brandon Lucke-Wold speak with Dr. Daniel Donoho, a pediatric neurosurgeon at Children’s National Hospital and founder of the Surgical Data Science Collective, about artificial intelligence (AI) in surgery. The conversation explores how surgeons can help guide the ethical and responsible use of AI, including its role in clinical practice, research, prior authorization, patient advocacy, and the future surgical workforce.
Ali Mohamed, MD – Mayo Clinic Florida
Brandon Lucke-Wold, MD, PhD – University of Florida
Daniel Donoho, MD – Children’s National Hospital
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Copyright © 2026 by the American College of Surgeons (ACS). All rights reserved.
The contents of this podcast may be cited in academic publications but otherwise may not be reproduced, disseminated, or transmitted in any form by any means without the express written permission of ACS. These materials may not be resold nor used to create revenue-generating content by any entity other than the ACS without the express written permission of the ACS. The contents of these materials are strictly prohibited from being uploaded, shared, or incorporated in any third-party applications, platforms, software, or websites without prior written authorization from the ACS. This restriction explicitly includes, but is not limited to, the integration of ACS content into tools leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, large language models, or generative AI technologies and infrastructures.
May 15, 2026
May 15, 2026
21 min
In this episode of The House of Surgery, Drs. Katrin Arnolds and Ana Pena discuss the realities of operating while pregnant. Drawing from their own experiences as surgeons and mothers, they share practical tips for staying safe and comfortable in the OR, managing prenatal appointments, navigating workplace expectations, and reducing exposure to radiation, anesthesia gases, surgical smoke, chemotherapy agents, and other potential hazards.
This conversation offers valuable insight for pregnant surgeons, trainees, and anyone working alongside pregnant members of the surgical team.
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Katrin Arnolds, MD, is a board-certified minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic in Weston, Florida
Ana Pena, MD, FACS, is a board-certified general surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic in Weston, Florida
Copyright © 2026 by the American College of Surgeons (ACS). All rights reserved.
The contents of this podcast may be cited in academic publications but otherwise may not be reproduced, disseminated, or transmitted in any form by any means without the express written permission of ACS. These materials may not be resold nor used to create revenue-generating content by any entity other than the ACS without the express written permission of the ACS. The contents of these materials are strictly prohibited from being uploaded, shared, or incorporated in any third-party applications, platforms, software, or websites without prior written authorization from the ACS. This restriction explicitly includes, but is not limited to, the integration of ACS content into tools leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, large language models, or generative AI technologies and infrastructures.
Mar 18, 2026
Mar 18, 2026
28 min
To help support sustainable surgical careers, the American College of Surgeons recently released a framework of workplace standards that can be customized by surgical discipline. This episode features Douglas E. Wood, MD, FACS, FRCSEd, Vice-Chair of the ACS Board of Regents, and Philip R. Wolinsky, MD, FACS, ACS Regent, discussing the standards, as well as new resources on surgeon unionization.
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Douglas E. Wood, MD, FACS, FRCSEd, is the Henry N. Harkins Professor and Chair of the Department of Surgery at the University of Washington in Seattle
Philip R. Wolinsky, MD, FACS, is the Division Chief of orthopaedic trauma and a professor of orthopaedics at Dartmouth University in Lebanon, New Hampshire
Copyright © 2026 by the American College of Surgeons (ACS). All rights reserved.
The contents of this podcast may be cited in academic publications but otherwise may not be reproduced, disseminated, or transmitted in any form by any means without the express written permission of ACS. These materials may not be resold nor used to create revenue-generating content by any entity other than the ACS without the express written permission of the ACS. The contents of these materials are strictly prohibited from being uploaded, shared, or incorporated in any third-party applications, platforms, software, or websites without prior written authorization from the ACS. This restriction explicitly includes, but is not limited to, the integration of ACS content into tools leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, large language models, or generative AI technologies and infrastructures.
Feb 20, 2026
Feb 20, 2026
48 min
This episode features one of the fathers of metabolic surgery, Walter J. Pories, MD, FACS,from Greenville, North Carolina. In his lecture delivered at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress in Chicago, Dr. Pories will discuss his research and insights into underlying molecular biology, with particular attention to fat storage, energy production, and lactic acid levels. He also will focus on how research into bariatric surgery has led to data-driven clarifications of the pathophysiology of obesity and related conditions.
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Feb 13, 2026
Feb 13, 2026
56 min
This episode features Selwyn M. Vickers, MD, FACS, a pancreatic cancer surgeon andpresident and CEO of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. During theAmerican College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer Oncology Lecture at ClinicalCongress 2025, Dr. Vickers discussed a transformative era in cancer care, where scientificbreakthroughs are reshaping cancer therapeutics and redefining the role of surgeons.
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Jan 23, 2026
Jan 23, 2026
51 min
This episode features Kerstin Sandelin, MD, PhD, FACS(Hon), FRCS, a breast surgeon from Stockholm, Sweden, who gave the Distinguished Lecture of the International Society of Surgery during the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress in Chicago. In her lecture, Dr. Sandelin addressed the gaps in breast cancer care throughout the world and offered information about how low- and middle-income countries will benefit from global standardization.
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Jan 16, 2026
2025 Jonasson Lecture – Pay It Forward
Jan 16, 2026
Jan 16, 2026
43 min
This episode features Jennifer S. Lawton, MD, FACS, a cardiothoracic surgeon from Baltimore, Maryland, who gave the Olga Jonasson Lecture during the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress in Chicago. In her lecture, “Pay It Forward—The Enduring Impact of Mentors,” Dr. Lawton discussed how the support of mentors is vital for early career surgeons and also pays dividends for experienced surgeons.
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Jan 2, 2026
TQIP 2025 Opening
Jan 2, 2026
Jan 2, 2026
57 min
This episode features Avery B. Nathens, MD, PhD, FACS, Medical Director for Trauma Quality Programs for the American College of Surgeons (ACS), as he welcomed attendees to the 2025 Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) Annual Conference, which marked TQIP’s 15th anniversary. Dr. Nathens offered an overview of the significant improvements in trauma care that have been made over the years, described what’s new and what’s on the horizon for ACS Trauma Programs, and explained what slime molds, starlings, and seals have in common to high-performing trauma teams.
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Dec 19, 2025
Dec 19, 2025
56 min
This episode features Mary E. Fallat, MD, FACS, a pediatric surgeon from Louisville, Kentucky, who delivered the Scudder Oration on Trauma during the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress in Chicago. In her lecture, “Optimizing Strategies to Improve Trauma and Burn Care for Children,” Dr. Fallat talked about the need to build a coordinated system that prepares pre-hospital care clinicians and emergency departments with the supplies, education, and training needed to deliver high-quality trauma and burn care this vulnerable population.
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Dec 12, 2025
Dec 12, 2025
1hr 3 min
This episode features C. William Schwab, MD, FACS, FRCS, a retired US Navy Commander from Philadelphia, who is among the growing number of trauma surgeons urging national trauma readiness. During the Edward D. Churchill Lecture at the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress in Chicago, Dr. Schwab said that the US healthcare system’s ability to respond to mass casualty events, including warfare-related injuries, is predicated on the preparedness of every surgeon and hospital system.
Talk about the podcast on social media using the hashtag #HouseofSurgery.
About the Podcast
In this series, surgeons in all specialties, practice configurations, career stages, and locations describe their success stories, advice, challenges they’ve overcome, and words of inspiration. Some of the content was previously released in other formats; some is original for this podcast series.
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the participants and not necessarily those of the American College of Surgeons.







