In this episode of Scrubcast, we sit down with Dr. Nick Leeper, Chief of Vascular Medicine at Stanford University, to explore his groundbreaking research in cardiovascular disease.

Dr. Leeper shares his lab's unique "hypothesis-free" methodology, where they analyze the entire genome to uncover genetic variants associated with heart disease. Additionally, Dr. Leeper highlights his collaborations with experts outside the School of Medicine to develop treatments straight out of science fiction.  Read Leeper’s Article in Nature Communications

Throughout the episode, Dr. Leeper emphasizes the importance of perseverance in research, drawing inspiration from Drs. Norm Shumway and Ron Dalman.

On this episode of Scrubcast, we dive deep into the world of trauma surgery with Dr. Joe Forrester, an associate professor in the Division of General Surgery at Stanford University and the trauma medical director for Stanford Healthcare. In this conversation hosted by Rachel Baker, Dr. Forrester shares his personal journey as both a surgeon and a trauma patient. (He decided professional climbing wasn’t a long-term career strategy at the age of 20 after a serious rock-climbing accident. Read the story here.)

Dr. Forrester also serves as the founding director of Stanford’s Chest Wall Injury Center. He talks about bringing new surgical techniques to Stanford including surgical stabilization of sternal and rib fractures (SSRF) and how he shares he knowledge with residents and fellow surgeon (Learn more about RibFest.) all in the hopes of providing patients with the level of care he would want for his family and friends.

p.s. Dr. Forrester couldn’t divulge the details of a study that will premier at AAST this September but you can read the precursor paper here:  “Ultrasound-guided percutaneous cryoneurolysis of intercostal nerves.”

In this episode of Scrubcast, host Rachel Baker sits down with Dr. Crystal Chang, a clinical assistant professor in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Stanford University. As a hospital dentist, Chang treats medically complex patients who often can't receive care in a traditional private practice.

They also discuss the importance of mental health and wellbeing. Chang shares results of a pre-pandemic research study that shows Healthcare Professionals have the highest suicide rates in the country and opens up about her own previous struggles with isolation. Today, as Associate Director of Wellness for the Department, Chang shares the initiatives she’s helping to implement at Stanford to support her colleagues.

In this episode of Scrubcast, host Rachel Baker sits down with Dr. Tom Pham, a clinical associate professor in the Division of Abdominal Transplantation at Stanford University. Dr. Pham discusses his recent work in Lusaka, Zambia, where he has been instrumental in developing the kidney transplant program. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration and training in improving surgical practices in underserved regions.

Dr. Pham also shares his inspiring journey into the world of transplant surgery, highlighting the pivotal role of mentorship in his career. He pays it forward as the Clerkship Director at Stanford.

We dive into the fascinating world of plastic and reconstructive surgery with Dr. Anita Mohan, a clinical assistant professor at Stanford University's Department of Surgery. Join host Rachel Baker as they traverse Dr. Mohan's journey from her initial training in England through her PhD and MBA to her current role at Stanford and the VA.

Dr. Mohan, who specializes in breast reconstruction, shares insights into gender-affirming top surgeries and the unique challenges they present. She also discusses her dedication to improving clinical outcomes for patients, particularly those who have undergone significant weight loss or suffer from lymphedema.

Tune in to learn about Dr. Mohan's advice for aspiring surgeons and her vision for the future of plastic surgery.

In this episode, host Rachel Baker sits down with Dr. Teodor Grantcharov, a professor in the Division of General Surgery at Stanford University. They explore Dr. Grantcharov's journey across the globe from his early days doing surgical residency in Copenhagen to Toronto and now Silicon Valley and how each country’s unique healthcare system impacts patient care and research.

The inventor of the OR Black Box, Dr. Grantcharov shares insights on the importance of continuous learning, the role of entrepreneurship in medicine, and his passion for improving surgical practices through innovative technologies. He also emphasizes the need for surgeons to find balance outside of their demanding careers, highlighting the importance of hobbies and personal growth.

In this episode of Scrubcast, we delve into the fascinating world of digital health and its implications in surgery with Dr. Oliver Aalami, a clinical professor at Stanford Surgery. Discover how Dr. Aalami's passion for innovation led him to specialize in vascular surgery and to create VascTrac-the world's first peripheral artery disease (PAD) study powered by a smartphone.

Dr. Aalami shares how his experience led him to create educational programs that bridge the gap between healthcare and technology. Learn about the challenges and opportunities in digital health projects and how researchers can effectively use technology for patient monitoring while still emphasizing the importance of data privacy and secure systems.

Learn about Spezi (formerly CardinalKit), Stanford’s free, open-source framework for developing health applications here: https://spezi.stanford.edu/