Surgical Hot Topics

In this episode of Same Surgeon, Different Light, Dr. Cherie Erkmen and Dr. Sara Pereira sit down with Dr. Kazuhiro Yasufuku of the University of Toronto, a global leader in minimally invasive thoracic oncology, to explore a career shaped by discipline, innovation, and cross-cultural experience.

He reflects on his surgical training in Japan’s rigorous, hierarchical system and his academic journey in North America, sharing how these environments informed his approach to patient care and research. Dr. Yasufuku discusses the development of endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), from early prototypes to worldwide adoption, transforming lung cancer staging. He also offers insights on perseverance, leadership, mentorship, and the future of increasingly minimally invasive, patient-centered care.

In this episode of Thinking Thoracic, podcast hosts Hari Keshava, MD, and Erin Gillaspie, MD, talk with René Petersen, MD, of Copenhagen University Hospital, about the latest developments in Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols.

As a longtime leader and pioneer in the field, Dr. Petersen shares insights from his extensive experience advancing recovery practices. The conversation covers the broader evolution of minimally invasive thoracic surgery, including video-assisted approaches, and how these developments inform patient selection for tubeless procedures.

All surgeons lead teams, and our ability to do this helps ensure effective and safe care for our patients. Maximizing team performance can be one of the more challenging aspects of our specialty, and yet it's something most of us have little or no formal training in. In this STS blog article, Dr. Trent Magruder shares two key aspects to helping teams function smoothly: effective communication, and investment in each member.

In this episode, hosts Dr. Sara Pereira and Dr. Cherie Erkmen sit down with guest Dr. Stephanie Chang, Surgical Director of Lung Transplant at NYU Langone Transplant Institute, to explore how a childhood dream of teaching evolved into a career in surgical precision and innovation. She reflects on the moment a college biology class sparked her fascination with CABG, the mentorship that shaped her during training at Washington University in St. Louis, and her role in performing the first fully robotic lung transplant at NYU—while sharing insights on leadership, mentorship, and balancing life beyond the operating room.

Season 5 starts here. Join Dr. Melanie Edwards, new host of The Resilient Surgeon, for the kick-off of season five with a “Live from #STS2026” episode. Hear from Drs. Jamie and Ross Ungerleider about work-life integration, and making choices that contribute to more fulfillment, joy, and authenticity in life. Listen today.