The Rural American Surgeon

Host Dr. Randy Lehman welcomes Dr. Konstantin Grigoryan, dermatologist and Mohs surgeon, to uncover his unique journey toward becoming a surgeon and explore the intricacies of skin cancer management. With skin cancer being a prevalent challenge in rural surgery settings, Dr. Grigoryan highlights the precision and benefits of the Mohs technique. Whether you're a surgeon seeking to refine your under...

Host Dr. Randy Lehman welcomes Dr. Shannon Gulley, a seasoned general surgeon with 20 years in practice, including the last decade operating in Alaska. She shares practical insights on personal finances as well as codes and modifiers, with an overall emphasis on maximizing your efforts and your income as a surgeon. With experience both as an employed surgeon and a practice owner, Dr. Gulley shares...

Looking ahead to the upcoming NARSS conference on January 17-18 in Denver, Dr. Randy Lehman explores the pivotal role of the North American Rural Surgical Society in supporting rural surgeons. He delves into the society's rich history and traces its evolution from the Northern Plains Vascular Society to its current form. He shares his personal experiences at the annual NARSS conference, highlighti...

Host Dr. Randy Lehman welcomes Dr. Jeremy "Bud" Stoller, a distinguished rural surgeon from Van Wert, Ohio. Known for his expertise in hernia repair and his commitment to rural healthcare, Dr. Stoller shares his journey from training at The Ohio State University and the University of Toledo to practicing in his hometown. Dr. Stoller details his approach to ventral hernia repair and his excitement...

Host Dr. Randy Lehman and Dr. Tod Stillson have a heartwarming conversation about the importance of transparency and trust when it comes to small town healthcare–especially in family medicine when you have the opportunity to serve families through many stages of life. In addition to discussing the impact of closing obstetrics units in rural hospitals, Dr. Stillson shares insights on achieving fina...

As part of this new miniseries, "The Children of Rural Surgeons," host Dr. Randy Lehman welcomes Dr. Dorothy Hughes, daughter of esteemed rural surgeon, Dr. Tyler Hughes. Their conversation delves into her experiences growing up with a small-town surgeon for a father and how that impacted her upbringing. And ultimately, how Dr. Dorothy Hughes came full circle to rural surgery from an academic pers...

In this heartfelt episode, Dr. Randy Lehman is joined by two very special guests, his daughter Charlotte and a surprise appearance by his wife, Brittaney. Together they reflect on the demanding days of residency in Minnesota, and how the transition to rural practice in Indiana has impacted their family life and balance.   Charlotte describes her dad’s work as candidly and charmingly as only an 8-y...

Explore surgical care in rural Canada through the perspective of host Dr. Randy Lehman as he sits down with Canadian general surgeon, Dr. Emily Mitic. Dr. Mitic is dedicated to serving rural Alberta, practicing in a small city uniquely positioned between two major urban centers, which means her hospital serves a greater population of about 425,000 people. Tune in for a detailed walkthrough of Dr....

Host Dr. Randy Lehman sits down with Dr. Ben Mundell, a newly minted general surgeon carving out his path in the Eastern Sierras of California. Together they discuss what it takes to thrive as a rural surgeon, especially in those crucial early months out of residency. Tune in for practical advice, invaluable insights, and must-know resources for making a successful transition from residency to rur...

Host Dr. Randy Lehman sits down with friend, mentor, and "godfather" of rural surgery, Dr. Eugene Shively to discuss his impressive 46-year career. From the comfort of Dr. Shively's 200-year-old cabin (listen for the full story!), the two discuss the evolution of surgical techniques, Dr. Shively's approach to common bile duct exploration, and invaluable advice for residents who plan to pursue a ca...

In part two of their conversation, Dr. Randy Lehman welcomes back Dr. Michael Sarap to dive deeper into his 37 years as a rural surgeon. Building on their earlier insights into financial strategies for young surgeons, Dr. Sarap shares intense and captivating stories from rural practice. Listeners will come away inspired and equipped with resources for building a strong network of specialist collea...

In this episode, host Dr. Randy Lehman sits down with Dr. Michael Sarap, a seasoned rural surgeon with 37 years of experience. Dr. Sarap shares the rewards and challenges of his career, offering invaluable insights into building a successful rural surgery practice. From mastering advanced endoscopic techniques to performing complex procedures like laparoscopic common bile duct exploration, join us...

In this episode, host Dr. Randy Lehman sits down with Dr. John Robertson, who started his medical career in the big city before transitioning to rural surgery. Dr. Robertson delves into his “modified plug and patch” technique for inguinal hernia repair and his embrace of robotics in the OR, offering valuable insights for both urban and rural practitioners. [00:00] Introduction [00:50] Dr. Robertso...

In this episode, Dr. Randy Lehman reunites with his former program director at Mayo Clinic, the accomplished and beloved Dr. Stephanie Heller. Together they discuss Dr. Heller's wealth of experience, from navigating career transitions to mastering complex procedures like skin grafting and managing fistulas. Listen for insights on optimizing wound care, tackling challenging cases, and thriving in a...

Join us in a special location as your host, Dr. Randy Lehman, sits down with Wisconsin PA Jerry Fushianes to discuss how Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners strengthen rural practices. Discover more about the Associate Provider model, where PAs are trained to duplicate physician services across specialties, acting as a conduit between doctors and patients to provide comprehensive care and...

In this episode, host Dr. Randy Lehman is joined by Dr. Chris Huiras, a general surgeon who has dedicated over 30 years to providing care at Mayo Clinic as well as in rural Wisconsin. In addition to some great stories, Dr. Huiras shares a detailed overview of how he performs a right colectomy. Listen as Dr. Huiras' passion shines through, not just for surgery, but for the rural communities he's be...

In this episode, host Dr. Randy Lehman sits down with former Mayo Clinic program director Dr. David Farley, who offers expertise as a seasoned and respected mentor to hundreds of surgeons. From his rural Wisconsin upbringing to his 31 years of training residents, Dr. Farley shares insights on mastering techniques like TEP inguinal hernia repair and fostering a culture of continuous learning and im...

In this episode, Dr. Lauren Smithson, the Chair of the Advisory Council for Rural Surgery, shares her journey from the Caribbean to the UK to rural Canada, providing valuable insights to those eager to pursue a career in rural surgery. Host Dr. Randy Lehman and Dr. Smithson discuss her wide-ranging scope of work, from complex breast cancer operations to unique trauma cases, and her involvement in...

Few understand the wonders and challenges of rural surgery as acutely as the respected Dr. Tyler Hughes. In this episode, host Dr. Randy Lehman sits down with Dr. Hughes to discuss insights and anecdotes from his remarkable career. From being named the first Rural Practitioner of the Year to his instrumental involvement in the American College of Surgeons, Dr. Hughes has invaluable wisdom to share...

In this introductory episode, Dr. Randy Lehman highlights the unique challenges and rewarding moments that come with practicing surgery in rural America. Tune in and join the community, where each week we'll discuss topics pertinent to the healthcare providers of America’s heartland. Key Topics: [0:00] Intro [3:58] Upcoming segments and episodes [7:44] Rural lifestyle and unique cases

This is your sneak peek into the world of rural surgery, where we celebrate the profound connections and unique experiences that define this vital field. In the upcoming episodes, we'll feature intimate conversations with leading rural surgeons, breaking down surgical techniques, and shedding light on the challenges faced by those practicing in isolated areas. You'll gain insights into overcoming...