The Cutting Edge: An AAST Podcast

In this special collaboration episode of the Cutting Edge and Frontline Surgery podcasts, host Dr. Caroline Park is joined by co-hosts Dr. Joshua Dilday and Dr. Rachel Russo, along with national trauma leader Dr. Mary Margaret Knudson, to discuss surge capacity and workforce continuity in military-civilian partnerships. Dr. Knudson traces the history of mil-civ partnerships from World War II throu...

In this episode of the AAST Cutting Edge Podcast, host Dr. Caroline Park and co-host Dr. Susan Kartiko are joined by Shira Rothberg, licensed clinical social worker and Trauma Survivors Network Coordinator at Inova Fairfax Hospital, to discuss Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) and its role in supporting trauma and emergency department staff after high-impact cases. Drawing on her training...

  Injury Prevention Month: Advancing Trauma Prevention Beyond the Hospital In recognition of Injury Prevention Month, the Cutting Edge Podcast features a timely conversation highlighting the critical work of the AAST Prevention Committee and its impact on patients, trauma systems, and the communities we serve.  The discussion explores how trauma surgeons and acute care providers can lead preventio...

In this episode of the AAST Cutting Edge Podcast, hosts Dr. Caroline Park and Dr. Susan Kartiko are joined by members of the AAST DEI Committee to tackle a timely and increasingly relevant topic in surgical education: intergenerational communication in trauma and acute care surgery . As today’s surgical teams span Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z—and soon Gen Alpha—the conversation explores...

Kicking off the 2026 season of the AAST Cutting Edge Podcast, new hosts Dr. Caroline Park and Dr. Susan Kartiko launch this inaugural episode with a timely discussion on pediatric readiness in adult trauma centers. Joined by pediatric surgery leader Dr. Barbara Gaines, they explore the Pediatric Readiness Project, trauma verification requirements, and how emergency departments can strengthen prepa...

In this episode, AAST Disaster Committee Chair Dr. Adam Fox discusses the intersection of trauma surgery, disaster response, emergency management, and prehospital care. He outlines how trauma surgeons contribute across the continuum of care during mass casualty incidents, hurricanes, earthquakes, critical care transport operations, and austere environments. He highlights the skillset required for...

In this episode, Dr. Mark Seamon discusses the multifaceted role of a Trauma Medical Director (TMD), emphasizing the importance of communication, leadership, and continuous improvement in clinical care. He shares insights from his own journey, the influences that shaped his career, and the challenges and rewards of the position. Dr. Seamon highlights the necessity of a growth mindset and the value...

In this episode of The Cutting Edge, AAST President Dr. Ronald Stewart discusses the complexities of being a trauma surgeon, including the emotional challenges of delivering bad news, the importance of team support, and the role of forgiveness in personal and professional growth. He emphasizes the duality of the profession, where joy and sorrow coexist, and shares insights on how to navigate diffi...

In this conversation, Dr. Kimberly Davis discusses the origins and evolution of the Women in Trauma Surgery (WITS) program, highlighting its role in fostering community, mentorship, and support among women in the field of trauma surgery. The discussion covers the challenges faced during the pandemic, the importance of building relationships, and the growth of WITS into a significant network for wo...

In this episode, Dr. Nicole Stassen discusses the Emergency Surgery Course, its history, target audience, and the interactive learning experience it offers. The course aims to provide a comprehensive background in emergency surgery for general surgeons, emphasizing the importance of timely and effective patient care. Dr. Stassen highlights the course's global reach, flexible structure, and th...

In this episode of The Cutting Edge, Dr. Jamie Coleman hosts Dr. Eileen Bulger, a past AAST President, to discuss the complexities of trauma surgery. They explore the importance of maintaining calm in chaotic situations, the dynamics of teamwork in the operating room, and the lessons learned from challenging cases. Dr. Bulger shares a poignant story about a young girl who was accidentally shot, hi...

In this episode, Dr. Kristan Staudenmayer discusses the critical intersection of healthcare economics and trauma surgery. She emphasizes the need for surgeons to understand financial aspects to advocate effectively for their patients. The conversation explores the role of the Healthcare Economics Committee, the challenges posed by Relative value units (RVUs) in measuring surgical work, and the imp...

In this episode, Dr. Ryan Dumas discusses his journey to becoming an Associate Member of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) and the benefits of involvement in the organization. He highlights the importance of engagement, networking, and leadership development for early-career surgeons. Dr. Dumas emphasizes the value of community support and the opportunities available for su...

In this episode, Dr. Marc DeMoya discusses the AAST Leadership Academy, which provides ongoing professional development for mid to senior level leaders in acute care surgery. The academy aims to enhance leadership and administrative skills through core content modules and specialized sessions. The application process requires applicants to be fellows or associate members of the AAST with at least...

In this episode, Dr. Matt Martin discusses his passion for robotic surgery and its role in emergency general surgery. He explains the training pathway for surgeons interested in learning robotic surgery and highlights the advantages of robotic surgery in emergency general surgery cases. Dr. Martin also introduces the AAST Robo-Tracs program, a year-long training program for acute care surgeons int...

In this episode, Dr. Stephanie Savage discusses the field of Acute Care Surgery and the advantages of pursuing a career in this field. She describes Acute Care Surgery as the special forces of general surgery, dealing with the  sickest patients. She also explains the difference between the traditional path and the AAST fellowship for aspiring acute care surgeons. The AAST fellowship offers a two-y...

In this episode, Patrick M. Reilly, MD shares his expertise and experiences in trauma surgery. The conversation covers topics such as mindset and preparation in the operating room, the importance of trajectory determination in penetrating trauma cases, the use of checklists, and the mental skills of surgery.  Dr. Reilly emphasizes the value of learning from challenging cases and the importance of...