How Military Surgery Helped Shape Modern Surgical Practice

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.  

This episode features William E. Cohn, MD, FACS, a cardiothoracic surgeon from Houston, Texas, who delivered the I. S. Ravdin Lecture during the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress in Chicago. In his lecture, “The Past, Present, and Future of the Total Artificial Heart,” Dr. Cohn not only explored the history of artificial heart innovation but also the paradigm-shifting work that may finally bring a permanent solution for end- stage heart failure. Talk about the podcast on social media using the hashtag #HouseofSurgery

This episode provides a new perspective on how modern surgical practice has been shaped by military surgical history and how history can provide surgeons with a deepened appreciation for the events that have transformed patient care. Colonel (Ret.) Jeremy W. Cannon, MD, SM, FACS, leads the discussion that includes a medical student, junior faculty member, and senior surgeon/historian. Dr. Cannon’s guests are Gordon L. Telford, MD, FACS, Justin Barr, MD, PhD, and Karina Hiroshige.   HOST Colonel (Ret.) Jeremy W. Cannon, MD, SM, FACS, USAF Reserve, MC, trauma surgeon at Penn Medicine in Philadelphia and Past President of the Excelsior Surgical Society   GUESTS Gordon L. Telford, MD, FACS, retired general surgeon from the Medical College of Wisconsin, in Milwaukee   Justin Barr, MD, PhD, transplant and hepatobiliary surgeon at the Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans, LA   Karina Hiroshige, MD/MBA Candidate at the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, NY, and Research Fellow in Trauma, Surgical Critical Care & Emergency Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia   Talk about the podcast on social media using the hashtag #HouseofSurgery    

This episode features David J. Skorton, MD, president and CEO of the Association of American Medical Colleges in Washington, DC, who delivered the Martin Memorial Lecture during the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress in Chicago. In his lecture, Dr. Skorton explained how navigating the exponential growth of scientific knowledge necessitates an integrated approach, the importance of being data-driven, and listening to the needs and ideas of patients, their families, and the communities in which we live.    Talk about the podcast on social media using the hashtag #HouseofSurgery 

This episode features a fireside chat with Gerald B. Healy, MD, FACS, an otolaryngologist—head and neck surgeon, with a long career of service to the ACS, including as President of the Massachusetts Chapter, Chair of the Board of Regents, and ACS president. The program host is Mohsen M. Shabahang, MD, PhD, FACS, for the ACS Academy of Master Surgeon Educators. Talk about the podcast on social media using the hashtag #HouseofSurgery.

This episode features Anton N. Sidawy, MD, MPH, FACS, who was installed during Clinical Congress 2025 in Chicago as the American College of Surgeons (ACS) 106th President. Shortly afterward, he delivered his Presidential Address, urging unity across all surgical disciplines and calling the ACS “The House of Surgery: A Home for All Surgeons.”   Talk about the podcast on social media using the hashtag #HouseofSurgery.

This episode features a fireside chat with Ajit K. Sachdeva, MD, FACS, FRCSC, who led the ACS Division of Education for more than 24 years. Dr. Sachdeva describes his early career as a surgeon, his practice in Philadelphia, and his long tenure creating innovative educational programming for surgeons around the world. The program host is Mohsen M. Shabahang, MD, PhD, FACS, for the ACS Academy of Master Surgeon Educators.   Talk about the podcast on social media using the hashtag #HouseofSurgery.

The ACS welcomed two new medical directors in June—Thomas C. Tsai, MD, MPH, FACS, is the Medical Director for Health Policy Research and Margaret “Megan” C. Tracci, MD, JD, FACS, is the Medical Director for Surgeon Engagement. In this episode, Steven D. Wexner, MD, PhD(Hon), FACS, talks with Drs. Tsai and Tracci about their new roles, including their current projects and strategies to advance the profession.   Steven D. Wexner, MD, PhD(Hon), FACS, is a colorectal surgeon from the Cleveland Clinic in Florida Thomas C. Tsai, MD, MPH, FACS, is a minimally invasive gastrointestinal and bariatric surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston Margaret “Megan” C. Tracci, MD, JD, FACS, is an endovascular surgeon at the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville Talk about the podcast on social media using the hashtag #HouseofSurgery

This episode features a fireside chat with Barbara Lee Bass, MD, FACS, who is the vice president for health affairs, dean of the George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences in Washington, DC, and a past president of the ACS. Dr. Bass talks about what drove her into surgery at a time when very few women were in the profession, why she joined the Army, what it was like to perform her last operation, and why it’s essential to be authentic as the leader of a large institution. The program host is Dr. Mohsen Shabahang for the ACS Academy of Master Surgeon Educators.   Talk about the podcast on social media using the hashtag #HouseofSurgery.

This episode offers an overview of the recent ACS Leadership & Advocacy Summit, held in Washington, DC, including popular sessions on knowing your worth as a surgical leader and learning how to lead at every level. Michael J. Sutherland, MD, MBA, FACS, Senior Vice President of ACS Member Services, discusses these sessions and more with Kimberly M. Lumpkins, MD, MBA, FACS, the Dr. J. Laurance Hill Endowed Professor in Pediatric Surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, and Joshua M. V. Mammen, MD, PhD, FACS,  the Merle M. Musselman Centennial Professor of Surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.     HOST: Michael J. Sutherland, MD, MBA, FACS, Senior Vice President, ACS Division of Member Services, Chicago, IL    GUESTS: Kimberly M. Lumpkins, MD, MBA, FACS, Pediatric Surgeon-in-Chief at the University of Maryland Children’s Hospital and the Dr. J. Laurance Hill Endowed Professor in Pediatric Surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD    Joshua M. V. Mammen, MD, PhD, FACS, Merle M. Musselman Centennial Professor of Surgery and Chief of the Department of Surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE    Talk about the podcast on social media using the hashtag #HouseofSurgery