Gut Check

A colorectal cancer diagnosis can force life-changing decisions fast—including ones about future family-building. In this episode of Gut Check , the hosts are joined by Dr. Arielle Kanters and Dr. Valery Vilchez, co-chairs of the ASCRS Women's Task Force, to discuss when fertility preservation should enter the treatment conversation, how surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation affect fertility differ...

In this special live-recorded episode of Gut Check , your favorite hosts return to the mic from the ASCRS Annual Meeting in Tampa. Recorded in front of a live audience, the conversation captures candid reactions, audience questions, memorable moments from this year's meeting, and the topics everyone was talking about throughout the week. From standout sessions and unexpected takeaways to personal...

In this episode of Gut Check , we explore how professional trajectories in colorectal surgery can differ for men and women—and what that means for the future of the field. Hosts Meghana and Biddy are joined by Dr. Jackie Turner and Dr. Melissa Chang of the ASCRS Women's Task Force for a candid conversation on career advancement, mentorship, and leadership. Together, they unpack the nuances between...

Jennifer Goldsack has built a career in digital medicine, and she's doing it while navigating late-stage cancer herself. As founder and CEO of the Digital Medicine Society (DiMe), Jennifer is leading efforts to ensure digital health technologies are safe, effective, and equitable. In this episode, she shares how her journey as an Olympian, data nerd, and patient shapes her mission to transform hea...

The Gut Check hosts dive into one of colorectal surgery's debated management questions: Is laparoscopic (minimally invasive) lavage an appropriate strategy for acute diverticulitis? Once hailed as a promising alternative to emergent resection, lavage has had a turbulent journey through clinical trials, outcomes data, and real-world practice. Our hosts unpack the evidence, discussing when lavage ma...

All of our hosts join for this episode of Gut Check for a deep dive into one of colorectal surgery's most challenging and debated topics: fistulas. We're joined by special guest Dr. Jeff Van Eps, whose expertise and real-world experience bring fresh perspective. From initial evaluation to surgical decision-making and long-term patient outcomes, this conversation blends evidence, nuance, and plenty...

Our hosts dig into the realities, challenges, and triumphs of caring for patients in America's safety-net hospitals. Despite having no single, universally accepted definition, safety-net hospitals share common threads: they serve high volumes of Medicaid and uninsured patients, operate with limited resources, and play an outsized role in supporting the health of vulnerable communities. Listen in a...

In this timely episode of Gut Check, the hosts sit down with Dr. Chris Childers, surgeon, researcher, and health policy expert, to unpack the latest CMS Physician Fee Schedule proposals that could reshape practice in 2026.

Since Gut Check launched three years ago, Dr. Jonathan Abelson and Dr. Erin King-Mullins have helped shape its voice—sparking candid conversations, sharing laughs, and building memorable connections with guests and listeners alike. In this special farewell episode, they revisit the interviews that left a lasting mark, the buzz of the 2024 and 2025 live shows, and the surprises that made hosting so...

Join our hosts for a candid conversation about one of the hardest—but most powerful—words to say: no . In a world full of opportunities, requests, and expectations, how do professionals protect their time without closing doors? This episode dives into the real-life challenge of setting boundaries, weighing what to say yes to, and recognizing your value when new commitments come your way. The hosts...

In this special live-recorded episode of Gut Check, your favorite hosts return to the mic from the ASCRS Annual Meeting in San Diego. Recorded in front of a live audience for the second year in a row, this episode captures unscripted Q&A with attendees, reflections on standout sessions, and personal highlights from this year's meeting.   The conversation spans everything from regional society meet...

In this episode, Gut Check hosts sit down with Dr. Moises Jacobs—world-renowned laparoscopic surgery pioneer in Miami, FL. Dr. Jacobs shares his journey from medical school at the University of Miami to becoming a trailblazer in bariatric and colorectal surgery. Dr. Jacobs reflects on the challenges and triumphs of being a minority surgeon, and opens up about challenges of losing a patient.

In this candid episode, join our hosts as they tackle the critical topic of health, wellness, and burnout in surgery. Drawing from their own personal experiences, they share the practical strategies they use to maintain balance, build resilience, and foster joy both in and out of the operating room.   But this conversation goes beyond coping mechanisms. Our hosts dive deep into the root causes of...

Join Biddy, Meghana and Alexis as they discuss the complexities of family planning and maintaining a healthy work-life balance within a demanding surgical career. From planning for parental leave and fertility preservation during pivotal career moments to carving out space for family, social connection, and personal renewal, this conversation explores what it means to show up fully in every role....

Get an inside look at the planning of the 2025 ASCRS Annual Scientific Meeting in San Diego! In this episode, the hosts sit down with the Program Committee to discuss how they're shaping an innovative and engaging experience for attendees. From cutting-edge AI-focused sessions to the introduction of on-site child care—a first for ASCRS!—this year's meeting is designed to be more accessible and enr...

ASCRS Past President and Chair of the 125th Anniversary Campaign Steering Committee, Dr. Matthew Mutch, and ASCRS President, Dr. Sonia Ramamoorthy, join Gut Check for a special episode highlighting how we are paving the way for the future of colorectal surgery.   Together, we explore how the 125th Anniversary Campaign will drive growth in education, research, and career development—ensuring the sp...

In this episode, we spotlight the ASCRS QI Fistula Collaborative , an initiative dedicated to improving outcomes for patients with complex fistulas. Dr. Julia Saraidaridis and Dr. Bob Hollis share their insights on the importance of data collection and discuss the collaborative's mission to advance fistula care through shared knowledge and research. They also highlight the critical need for more p...

In this episode, the hosts sit down with Dr. Wolfgang Gaertner, Chair of the ASCRS Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) Committee, for an insider's look at how the gold standard in colorectal care is set. Dr. Gaertner takes us behind the scenes of the rigorous process of writing and reviewing CPGs, from synthesizing the latest evidence to ensuring recommendations meet the highest standards of clarit...

From navigating fellowship to the realities of private practice ownership, this episode offers valuable insights for residents, early-career surgeons, and anyone considering a shift in their surgical practice. Whether you're looking for guidance on career decision-making, insights into private practice, or simply reassurance that you're not alone in this process, this episode provides practical ad...

In this special episode, we bid a heartfelt farewell to Dr. Alex Ky and Dr. Avery Walker and welcome three dynamic new voices to Gut Check. Tune in as we introduce Dr. Meghana Kashyap from UT Southwestern in Dallas; Dr. Matthew Ng from the George Washington University and Dr. Alexis Plasencia from Riverside University Hospital. Together, they bring diverse perspectives, stories from the OR, and in...

This week, we welcome Dr. Justin Maykel, Professor and Chief of Colorectal Surgery at UMass Memorial Medical Center. Dr. Maykel shares his perspective on revenue generation within medical institutions and discusses how to leverage data to negotiate better compensation. In a candid moment, the hosts pull back the curtain on their own salaries, giving listeners an exclusive look into real-life compe...

This week, our hosts are continuing their discussion about finances with guest Dr. Jason Mizell. From knowing your worth at work to making your retirement dreams come true, Dr. Mizell is sharing invaluable tips and strategies on early financial planning.

Healthcare economics is complex, but ASCRS member, RUC Advisor and AMA Delegate Dr. Kelly Tyler joins us to shed light on the matter. Listen as they discuss RVU's, downstream revenue and benchmarking, the role of the AMA and much more in this informative episode.

In this recording from the live episode at ASCRS24 in Baltimore, all six hosts came together for an exciting discussion! They welcomed members of the audience to ask questions and suggest topics for future episodes. Tune in for the insights and questions that matter most to our listeners.

Listen as our hosts share their personal approaches and practical tips for patient bowel prep, each bringing their experience and perspectives to the table.