Podcast · Tech & Science

The Operative Word

by The American College of Surgeons · English · Tech & Science

In this series the hosts talk to authors featured in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons (JACS), the official scientific journal of the American College of Surgeons.

New episodes: Monthly
Typical length: 25 min
Latest: 24 Sep 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

24 Sep 2026 · 28 min

E48: Impact of American College of Surgeons Verification Programs: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

In this episode, Lillian Erdahl, MD, FACS, is joined by Clifford Ko, MD, FACS, from UCLA. They discuss Dr Ko’s recent article, “Impact of American College of Surgeons Verification Programs: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis,” a framework-based systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the association between ACS verification programs and surgical quality. Across diverse programs and outcomes, verification is consistently associated with improvements in safety, effectiveness, efficiency, equity, and patient-centered care. Disclosure Information: Dr Erdahl, moderator, has no relevant…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

E47 · 27 Aug 2026 · 24 min
E47: Flexibility Stigma and the Double Bind of Family Formation in Medical and Surgical Residency
In this episode, Thomas K Varghese, Jr, MD, FACS, is joined by Erika Rangel, MD, FACS, from Brigham and Women’s Hospital. They discuss Dr Rangel’s recent article, “Flexibility Stigma and the Double Bind of Family Formation in Medical and Surgical Residency,” which found that flexibility stigma in residency discourages pregnant and parenting trainees from using needed work-life accommodations, creating harmful double binds between training expectations and personal well-being. Structural and cultural reforms are essential to support equity, retention, and trainee health. Disclosure…
E46 · 23 Jul 2026 · 17 min
E46: Artificial Intelligence Simplification of English and Spanish Surgical Consent Forms: 1-Size Does Not Fit All
In this episode, Lillian Erdahl, MD, FACS, is joined by Morgan Pettigrew, MD, from UT Southwestern. They discuss Dr Pettigrew’s recent article, “Artificial Intelligence Simplification of English and Spanish Surgical Consent Forms: 1-Size Does Not Fit All,” which found that while ChatGPT-4.0 improved the readability of English surgical consent forms, it did not improve readability of Spanish forms. To address this disparity, the authors developed a custom-trained GPT that improved readability of English and Spanish consent forms. Disclosure Information: All relevant conflicts have been…
E45 · 25 Jun 2026 · 22 min
E45: Patient-Based Decision Making for Opioid Prescriptions After Ambulatory Breast Operation: A Randomized Clinical Trial
In this episode, Thomas K Varghese, Jr, MD, FACS, is joined by Serena Lofftus, MD, and James Wu, MD, FACS, from UCLA. They discuss Drs Lofftus and Wu’s recent article, “Patient-Based Decision Making for Opioid Prescriptions After Ambulatory Breast Operation: A Randomized Clinical Trial,” which evaluated whether incorporating patient choice into postoperative prescribing decisions could reduce opioid prescribing and consumption after ambulatory breast operation without negatively affecting pain control or quality of life. Disclosure Information: Drs Varghese, Lofftus, and Wu have no relevant…
E44 · 28 May 2026 · 29 min
E44: Whether and How Surgeons Took Action Against Workplace Microaggression: Survey of American College of Surgeons Members
In this episode, Lillian Erdahl, MD, FACS, is joined by Pringl Miller, MD, FACS, from Physican Just Equity, and Christine Heisler, MD, FACS, from the Mayo Clinic Health System. They discuss Drs Miller and Heisler’s recent article, “Whether and How Surgeons Took Action Against Workplace Microaggression: Survey of American College of Surgeons Members,” in which the authors found that the most frequent perpetrator roles were surgeon colleagues and supervisors. A total of 57.4% of surgeons took action, with informal reporting to a colleague and/or directly confronting the perpetrator being most…
E43 · 23 Apr 2026 · 26 min
E43: Development, Validation, and Comparison of Machine Learning Models for Predicting Pediatric Surgical Site Infection Using the NSQIP-P Database
In this episode, Thomas K Varghese, Jr, MD, FACS, is joined by Carrie Chan, MSN, MPH, from the University of California, San Francisco, and Karthik Balakrishnan, MD, FACS, from Stanford Medicine Children’s Health. They discuss their recent article,“Development, Validation, and Comparison of Machine Learning Models for Predicting Pediatric Surgical Site Infections Using the NSQIP-P Database,” which represents the largest study to date on predicting pediatric surgical site infection. The authors developed machine-learning models and ultimately recommend a regularized logistic regression model…
E42 · 26 Mar 2026 · 27 min
E42: Results of an American College of Surgeons Prospective National Quality Improvement Collaborative to Successfully Overcome Barriers to Cancer Care Across the US
In this episode, Thomas K Varghese, Jr, MD, FACS, is joined by Laurie J Kirstein, MD, FACS, from Memorial Sloan Kettering. They discuss Dr Kirstein’s recent article, “Results of an American College of Surgeons Prospective National Quality Improvement Collaborative to Successfully Overcome Barriers to Cancer Care Across the US,” in which 194 American College of Surgeons (ACS)-accredited cancer programs caring for 99,057 patients participated in a National Quality Improvement Collaborative led by the ACS, “Breaking Barriers,” which reduced radiotherapy non-adherence by over 30% at the patient…
E41 · 26 Feb 2026 · 19 min
E41: Identifying Diagnostic Gaps and Mitigation Strategies for Older Adult Emergency General Surgery Patients: A Scoping Review
In this episode, Lillian Erdahl, MD, FACS, is joined by Jessica Liu, MD, MS, MPH, from the Department of Surgery, Harbor UCLA Medical Center. They discuss Dr Liu’s recent article, “Identifying Diagnostic Gaps and Mitigation Strategies for Older Adult Emergency General Surgery Patients: A Scoping Review,” in which the authors identified the current diagnostic issues, clinical tools, and clinician feedback strategies in the older adult emergency general surgery (EGS) setting. While challenges unique to older adults exist, variability in the use of tools to improve identification of older adult…
E40 · 29 Jan 2026 · 45 min
E40: From Surgeon Well-Being to Artificial Intelligence: 2025 Highlights
In this episode, JACS Editor-in-Chief Tom Varghese, MD, FACS, and Digital Media Editor Lillian Erdahl, MD, FACS, review 6 impactful articles from the past year, highlighting key themes shaping modern surgical practice. Dr Erdahl focuses on the surgeon as a subject, discussing research on moral distress, second-victim syndrome, health policy challenges, and peer surgical coaching. Dr Varghese then explores advances in surgical science, including pragmatic applications of artificial intelligence for risk prediction and operative documentation, as well as comparative evidence on robotic,…
E39 · 20 Nov 2025 · 21 min
E39: Postoperative Pain Management in the US vs Low- and Middle-Income Countries by US Surgeons
In this episode, Tom Varghese, MD, FACS, is joined by Ziad Sifri, MD, FACS, from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, and Matthew Linz, MD, from Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. They discuss Drs Sifri and Linz’s recent article, “Postoperative Pain Management in the US vs Low- and Middle-Income Countries by US Surgeons,” in which they found that surgeons in the US prescribe significantly more opioids after inguinal hernia repair compared with when they operate on short-term surgical trips to low- and middle-income countries, despite continued efforts to reduce opioid overprescription…
E38 · 30 Oct 2025 · 32 min
E38: What About the Coach? Mixed-Methods Study Assessing the Experience of Coaches in a Peer Surgical Coaching Program
In this episode, Lillian Erdahl, MD, FACS, is joined by Eilidh Gunn, MBChB MRCSEd, from the SurgicalSabermetrics Laboratory at the University of Edinburgh. They discuss Dr Gunn’s recent article, “What About the Coach? Mixed-Methods Study Assessing the Experience of Coaches in a Peer Surgical Coaching Program.” As peer-led surgical coaching becomes an increasingly popular professional development activity, this study explores the impact of participation on surgeons acting as coaches. Using a concurrent, mixed-methods design, results demonstrate that coaches found participation worthwhile and…
E37 · 25 Sep 2025 · 23 min
E37: Expanding the Public Health Role of Pediatric Trauma Centers: Drug Screening for Adolescent Trauma Patients
In this episode, Lillian Erdahl, MD, FACS, is joined by Jordan Rook, MD, from UCLA, and Lorraine Kelley-Quon, MD, FACS, from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Keck School of Medicine of USC. They discuss Drs Rook and Kelley-Quon’s recent article, “Expanding the Public Health Role of Pediatric Trauma Centers: Drug Screening for Adolescent Trauma Patients,” in which the authors found that biochemical drug screening for injured adolescents is decreasing at pediatric trauma centers, despite increasing national adolescent overdose deaths. Given high rates of substance use among injured…
E36 · 21 Aug 2025 · 20 min
E36: Association of Discharge Against Medical Advice with Surgical Outcomes and Healthcare Cost
In this episode, Tom Varghese, MD, FACS, is joined by Timothy Pawlik, MD, FACS, from The Ohio State University. They discuss Dr Pawlik’s recent article, “Association of Discharge Against Medical Advice with Surgical Outcomes and Healthcare Cost,” in which the authors found that discharge against medical advice (DAMA) among surgical patients is associated with increased 30-day readmission, complication, fragmented care, and higher healthcare cost. DAMA patients were younger, socioeconomically vulnerable, and often had substance use or psychiatric disorders. Disclosure Information: Drs…
E35 · 24 Jul 2025 · 23 min
E35: Association of State Helmet Laws with Helmet Use and Injury Outcomes in Motorcycle Crashes
In this episode, Lillian Erdahl, MD, FACS, is joined by Stephanie M Jensen, MD, MPH, and A Britt Christmas, MD, MBA, FACS, from the Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC. They discuss the recent article by Drs Jensen and Christmas, “Association of State Helmet Laws with Helmet Use and Injury Outcomes in Motorcycle Crashes,” in which the authors analyzed a decade of motorcycle collision data from an American College of Surgeons-verified Level I Trauma Center positioned at the border of 2 states with differing motorcycle helmet laws. The study found that helmeted patients had reduced injury…
E34 · 19 Jun 2025 · 23 min
E34: Evaluating Outcomes of Initial Site Visits Across American College of Surgeons Accreditation Programs
In this episode, Tom Varghese, MD, FACS, is joined by Brett Johnson, MD, and Clifford Ko, MD, FACS, from the American College of Surgeons (ACS). They discuss the recent article by Drs Johnson and Ko, “Evaluating Outcomes of Initial Site Visits Across American College of Surgeons Accreditation Programs,” in which the authors found that ACS accreditation identifies significant gaps in hospital quality, with only 61% of hospitals passing on their initial attempt. However, most ultimately succeed after remediation. These findings highlight that ACS accreditation both validates hospitals meeting…
E33 · 22 May 2025 · 22 min
E33: Limited or Lasting: Is Preoperative Weight Loss as Part of Prehabilitation Maintained after Open Ventral Hernia Repair?
In this episode, Tom Varghese, MD, FACS, is joined by Todd Heniford, MD, FACS, and Alexis Holland, MD, from the Carolinas Medical Center. They discuss the recent article by Drs Heniford and Holland, “Limited or Lasting: Is Preoperative Weight Loss as Part of Prehabilitation Maintained after Open Ventral Hernia Repair?” This study supports the implementation of preoperative optimization and weight loss before hernia surgery, which remains controversial. Long-term maintenance of preoperative weight loss before abdominal wall reconstruction is achievable and sustainable. Disclosure Information:…
E32 · 20 Mar 2025 · 26 min
E32: Validation of Artificial Intelligence-Based POTTER Calculator in Emergency General Surgery Patients Undergoing Laparotomy: Prospective, Bi-Institutional Study
In this episode, Tom Varghese, MD, FACS, is joined by Haytham Kaafarani, MD, MPH, FACS, and Vahe Panossian, MD, from the Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. They discuss the recent article by Drs Kaafarani and Panossian, “Validation of Artificial Intelligence-Based POTTER Calculator in Emergency General Surgery Patients Undergoing Laparotomy: Prospective, Bi-Institutional Study.” This study found that POTTER accurately predicts mortality and postoperative complication, and the superior accuracy, user-friendliness, and interpretability of POTTER…
E31 · 20 Feb 2025 · 23 min
E31: American College of Surgeons Cancer Programs Annual Report from 2021 Participant User File
In this episode, Lillian Erdahl, MD, FACS, is joined by Judy Boughey, MD, FACS, from the Mayo Clinic Rochester Department of Surgery. They discuss Dr Boughey’s recent article, “American College of Surgeons Cancer Programs Annual Report from 2021 Participant User File.” This inaugural annual report from the National Cancer Database describes the 2021 adult participant user files (PUF) as a whole, as well as the PUFs for breast, colon, and pancreatic cancer in more detail. It summarizes new observations and recent trends of cancer diagnoses, patient demographics, and treatment trends.…
E30 · 23 Jan 2025 · 29 min
E30: Cost-Effectiveness of Nonoperative Management vs Upfront Laparoscopic Appendectomy for Pediatric Uncomplicated Appendicitis Over 1 Year
In this episode, Lillian Erdahl, MD, FACS, is joined by Peter C Minneci, MD, FACS, MHSc, from the Department of Surgery, Nemours Children’s Health, Delaware Valley. They discuss Dr Minneci’s recent article, “Cost-Effectiveness of Nonoperative Management vs Upfront Laparoscopic Appendectomy for Pediatric Uncomplicated Appendicitis Over 1 Year,” in which the authors found that cost-effectiveness of management of pediatric appendicitis is sensitive to changes in utilities achieved by nonoperative management. Further studies should investigate reasons for treatment failure and the importance of…
E29 · 19 Dec 2024 · 26 min
E29: Refractory and Recurrent Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis Treatment: Adaptive, Randomized Clinical Trial
In this episode, Lillian Erdahl, MD, FACS, is joined by Fatemeh Shojaeian, MD, MPH, from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. They discuss Dr Shojaeian’s recent article, “Refractory and Recurrent Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis Treatment: Adaptive, Randomized Clinical Trial,” in which the authors found that, for resistant or relapsing patients with idiopathic granulomatous mastitis, combining methotrexate and corticosteroids offers a promising strategy. This integration of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs with corticosteroids not only reduces the necessity for high steroid…
E28 · 21 Nov 2024 · 29 min
E28: Protective Effects of Authenticity Against Depression, Suicide, and Burnout among Surgeons
In this episode, Lillian Erdahl, MD, FACS, is joined by Jessica Ching, MD, from the Baylor College of Medicine. They discuss Dr Ching’s recent article, “Protective Effects of Authenticity Against Depression, Suicide, and Burnout among Surgeons,” in which the authors found that authenticity may protect against burnout, depression, and suicide, pointing to a vital intervention opportunity. This research highlights the importance of cultivating a culture that prioritizes mental health to foster a resilient, fulfilled surgical community. Disclosure Information: Drs Erdahl and Ching have nothing…
E27 · 14 Oct 2024 · 21 min
E27: Association of Daily Step Count and Postoperative Complication among All of Us Research Participants
In this episode, Tom Varghese, MD, MS, MBA, FACS, is joined by Anai N Kothari MD, FACS, MS, FSSO, from the Medical College of Wisconsin. They discuss Dr Kothari’s recent article, “Association of Daily Step Count and Postoperative Complication among All of Us Research Participants,” in which the authors used preoperative wearable device data from 475 patients to investigate the link between daily step counts and postoperative complications. Patients with fewer than 7,500 daily steps had a higher risk of complications, supporting the use of wearables for surgical risk assessment and…
E26 · 19 Sep 2024 · 25 min
E26: Contemporary Evaluation of Work-Life Integration and Well-being in US Surgical Residents: A National Mixed-Methods Study
In this episode, Tom Varghese, MD, MS, MBA, FACS, is joined by Lauren M Janczewski, MD, MS, from Northwestern University, and Yue-Yung Hu, MD, MPH, FACS, from the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital and Northwestern Quality Improvement, Research, and Education in Surgery (NQUIRES). They discuss their recent article, “Contemporary Evaluation of Work-Life Integration and Well-being in US Surgical Residents: A National Mixed-Methods Study,” in which the authors found that parents and female residents were more likely to report work-life conflicts, which were associated with career…
E25 · 15 Aug 2024 · 22 min
E25: Association of National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer Accreditation with Outcomes after Rectal Cancer Surgery
In this episode, Tom Varghese, MD, FACS is joined by Calista M Harbaugh, MD, MSc, from the University of Michigan. They discuss Dr Harbaugh’s recent study, “Association of National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer Accreditation with Outcomes after Rectal Cancer Surgery,” in which the authors found that hospitals accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer are associated with lower short- and long-term morbidity and mortality, but few programs achieve accreditation status. Disclosure Information: Drs Varghese and Harbaugh have nothing to disclose. To earn 0.25…
E24 · 17 Jul 2024 · 27 min
E24: Sustaining Lifelong Competency of Surgeons: Multimodality Empowerment Personal and Institutional Strategy
In this episode, Lillian Erdahl, MD, FACS is joined by Todd Rosengart, MD, FACS, from the Baylor College of Medicine. They discuss Dr Rosengart’s recent article, “Sustaining Lifelong Competency of Surgeons: Multimodality Empowerment Personal and Institutional Strategy,” which focuses on maintaining and ensuring the competency of an aging surgeon workforce. The study provides evidence-based guiding principles as part of a comprehensive “whole of career” strategy that can be adopted at a personal, institutional, and national level. Disclosure Information: Drs Erdahl and Rosengart have nothing…
E23 · 20 Jun 2024 · 26 min
E23: Home Is Not Always Where the Sleep Is: The Effect of Home Call on Sleep, Burnout, and Surgeon Well-Being
In this episode, Tom Varghese, MD, FACS is joined by Jamie Coleman, MD, FACS, from the University of Louisville. They discuss Dr Coleman’s recent article, “Home Is Not Always Where the Sleep Is: The Effect of Home Call on Sleep, Burnout, and Surgeon Well-Being”, which quantifies sleep loss and burnout associated with home call in acute care surgeons, emphasizing that there are both physical and emotional contributors to burnout. Disclosure Information: Drs Varghese and Coleman have nothing to disclose. To earn 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ for this episode of the JACS Operative Word…
E22 · 16 May 2024 · 22 min
E22: Expeditionary Surgeons: Essential to Surgical Leadership in World War II and Today
In this episode, Tom Varghese, MD, FACS is joined by Jeremy Cannon, MD, SM, FACS, from the University of Pennsylvania. They discuss Dr Cannon’s Excelsior Surgical Society Presidential Address, emphasizing the crucial contribution of expeditionary surgical leaders in World War II and how their legacy serves as an example for military and civilian surgeons seeking to lead in austere settings today. Disclosure Information: Dr Varghese has nothing to disclose. Dr Cannon received royalties from UpToDate for authoring an article on an unrelated topic. Dr Cannon's institute was supported by funding…
E21 · 18 Apr 2024 · 25 min
E21: Social Determinants of Outcomes Disparity among Pediatric Solid Tumor Patients
In this episode, Lillian Erdahl, MD, FACS is joined by Dai Chung, MD, FACS, from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. They discuss Dr Chung’s recent study, which demonstrates that poor health outcomes among pediatric solid tumor patients are associated with minority race and residence in rural or border regions, and that the 5-year rate mortality rises with increasing area deprivation score. Disclosure Information: Drs Erdahl and Chung have nothing to disclose. To earn 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ for this episode of the JACS Operative Word Podcast, click here to register…
E20 · 21 Mar 2024 · 30 min
E20: Anchors Aweigh! The History of Women Surgeons at Sea
In this episode, Lillian Erdahl, MD, FACS is joined by Amy Hernandez, MD, FACS, from the Department of Surgery, Naval Medical Center San Diego. They discuss Dr Hernandez’s recent study, which uses literature review, personal interviews, and correspondence with Navy Medicine administrative leaders to describe the evolution of women providing surgical care at sea. Disclosure Information: Drs Erdahl and Hernandez have nothing to disclose. To earn 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ for this episode of the JACS Operative Word Podcast, click here to register for the course and complete the…
E19 · 15 Feb 2024 · 23 min
E19: Practical and Ethical Guidelines for the Involvement of Trainees in Global Surgery:
In this episode, Lillian Erdahl, MD, FACS, is joined by Erin M Scott, MD, MPH, from the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School. They discuss Dr Scott’s recent study, which outlines recommendations of the American College of Surgeons Resident and Associate Society Global Surgery Work Group for involvement of trainees in global surgery, with an aim to support equitable, sustainable collaborations that center on improving access to safe, timely, and affordable surgical care for the global community. Disclosure Information: Drs Erdahl and Scott have nothing to disclose. To earn 0.25 AMA…

About The Operative Word

In this series the hosts talk to authors featured in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons (JACS), the official scientific journal of the American College of Surgeons.

The Operative Word is a English tech & science podcast from The American College of Surgeons. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: The American College of Surgeons
Language: English
Category: Tech & Science
New episodes: Monthly
Typical length: 25 min
Latest episode: 24 Sep 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1633682352

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