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Dr. Thomas Varghese, Professor, Chief, Section of General Thoracic Surgery at the University of Utah, and Chief Value Officer at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, joins us to share his inspiring journey in surgery. In this conversation, he discusses the evolving roles of mentorship and leadership, stressing the importance of resilience and continuous learning. Dr. Varghese highlights how he forged his path by seeking mentorship and embracing challenges, ultimately contributing to initiatives like the ACS Strong for Surgery program and the HCI-IMPACT Center.

He offers powerful advice on building a strong culture in medical institutions, emphasizes the role of effective communication, and breaks down quality improvement as a systematic approach to advancing patient care. Dr. Varghese’s story is a must-listen for aspiring surgical leaders, providing valuable insights on guiding others, creating lasting impact, and navigating the journey to leadership in medicine.

Takeaways

• Dr. Varghese's journey began with a fascination for teamwork in surgery.
• Mentorship in surgery is evolving to be multi-directional and involves curating a circle of mentors.
• Training future leaders in surgery is essential for building a strong culture in medical institutions.
• Leadership in surgery is defined by the ability to guide and positively influence others.
• First impressions matter!
• Establishing a cancer center requires a deep understanding of organizational principles and mentorship.
• Quality improvement is a systematic process that aims for measurable improvements in patient care.
• Effective communication is crucial for surgeons to convey information to patients and teams.
• Aspiring surgeon leaders should seek feedback and continuously strive for improvement.