Deep Cuts: Exploring Equity in Surgery

The University of Chicago Department of Surgery
  • 5.0 (22)
  • MEDICINE
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

What conversations happen in and outside of the operating room, between surgeons, that patients don't often hear? What can be done to minimize the number of individuals who fall through the cracks of the U.S. healthcare system, so they can get the surgical care they need? As a surgery resident and public health advocate, Dr. Anthony Douglas has seen the ways biases limit access for patients, leading to poor health outcomes, especially for the most vulnerable in one's communities. Deep Cuts, the first podcast from The University of Chicago Department of Surgery, addresses these questions while exploring why equity and community-focused care matter in surgery, and how these topics improve outcomes for the patients and communities served not only on the South Side of Chicago, but also across the United States of America.

  1. Every Voice Counts: Equity in ENT Care

    09/25/2025

    Every Voice Counts: Equity in ENT Care

    In this episode of Deep Cuts: Exploring Equity in Surgery, Dr. Brandon Baird provides an overview of ENT, or ear, nose, and throat surgery. We discuss key aspects of the specialty, from management of polyps to advanced head and neck cancers. We also touch on disparities in cancer care and the importance of speech and swallow pathologists. Finally, we examine which populations lack access to ENT care and the reasons behind these barriers. Brandon Jackson Baird, MD, is a laryngeal surgeon specializing in a wide range of laryngeal diseases with an emphasis on medical and surgical management of voice and swallowing disorders.  He completed residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Stanford University and fellowship at Harvard University – Massachusetts General Hospital. As a trained singer himself, Dr. Baird understands the importance of expert laryngeal care, and he has the skill and experience to treat professional voice artists for voice conditions. Dr. Baird has a subspecialty focus in medical and surgical management for singers with phonotraumatic vocal fold pathology, like nodules and polyps. While at Massachusetts General Hospital, he also trained under Dr. Steven Zeitels, the laryngeal surgeon credited with treating professional performers Steven Tyler, Sam Smith and Adele.  As a dedicated researcher, Dr. Baird is identifying and developing novel biotechnology within the field of laryngeal surgery. Additionally, Dr. Baird is evaluating and investigating minimally invasive treatment options for early laryngeal cancer Deep Cuts: Exploring Equity in Surgery comes to you from the Department of Surgery at the University of Chicago, which is located on Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi land. Our senior production coordinator is Nihar Rama. Our production team also includes Beryl Zhou and Daniel Correa Bucio. Our senior editors are Alia Abiad, Caroline Montag, and Chuka Onuh. Our editorial team also includes Megan Teramoto and Ria Sood. The intro song you hear at the beginning of our show is “Love, Money Part 2” from Chicago’s own Sen Morimoto off of Sooper Records. Our cover art is from Leia Chen. Special thanks to Tony Liu, our founding producer/editor. If you’ve liked this podcast, please leave a rating, comment, and review wherever you get your podcasts. Please reach out to us as well — let us know what have you most enjoyed about our podcast, and where you see room for improvement. You can reach out to us on Instagram @deepcutssurgery. Find out more about our work at deepcuts.surgery.uchicago.edu.

    32 min
  2. Hospital Violence Recovery Programs: Improving Trauma-Informed Care for Hurt Communities

    08/18/2025

    Hospital Violence Recovery Programs: Improving Trauma-Informed Care for Hurt Communities

    On today’s episode of Deep Cuts: Exploring Equity in Surgery, we have a conversation with Dr. Annie Polcari, Dr. Franklin Cosey-Gay, and Violence Recovery Specialist Kenny White about the Trauma Violence Recovery Program at the University of Chicago Medical Center. We discuss historical factors that have contributed to inequity in our community, what victims of traumatic injury experience in the hospital, and what opportunities for growth there still are for the program. Throughout, we highlight the importance of community contributions to the recovery journey of our patients.  Dr. Annie Polcari is a graduate of the General Surgery Residency Program at the University of Chicago. She received her Medical degree and Master’s Degree in public health from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. She also received a Master’s Degree in Global Health from the University of Notre Dame. Dr. Polcari is looking forward to a career in trauma and acute care surgery and is now pursuing her fellowship in Surgical Critical Care at the University of Michigan.  Dr. Franklin Cosey-Gay is the executive director for community and external affairs for the Urban Health Initiative at the University of Chicago, and he is the former director of the Center for Youth Violence Prevention. He studied at the University of Illinois Chicago, where he received his Master’s and Doctorate degrees. He focuses on implementing prevention programs and building community connections.  Kenny White is a Violence Recovery Specialist at the University of Chicago and a Qualified Mental Health Professional. He also serves as a Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Consultant with US2 Consulting, and has done extensive work accompanying families and victims after they have suffered intentional violence.  Deep Cuts: Exploring Equity in Surgery comes to you from the Department of Surgery at the University of Chicago, which is located on Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi land. Our senior editor and production coordinator is Nihar Rama. Our senior producers are Alia Abiad, Caroline Montag, and Chuka Onuh. Our production team includes Megan Teramoto and Ria Sood. Our editorial team includes Beryl Zhou and Daniel Correa Bucio. The intro song you hear at the beginning of our show is “Love, Money Part 2” from Chicago’s own Sen Morimoto off of Sooper Records. Our cover art is from Leia Chen. If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts. And let us know — what have you most enjoyed about our podcast? Where do you see room for improvement? You can reach out to us on Instagram @deepcutssurgery. Find out more about our work at deepcuts.surgery.uchicago.edu.

    42 min
  3. Screening for Colon Cancer: Is it Time?

    07/10/2025

    Screening for Colon Cancer: Is it Time?

    In today’s episode, we join Dr. Martin Uwah, a skilled colorectal surgeon, and Dr. Edwin McDonald and Dr. Ross McMillan, expert gastroenterologists, as they discuss gastrointestinal health, including colorectal surgery and colorectal cancer. Some of the questions they answer include: what are some risk factors for colon cancer, and what can you do to decrease your risk? What does a colonoscopy really involve, and who should get one? Why are there disparities in colon cancer rates and deaths, by race/ethnicity and between neighborhoods in Chicago? And what is happening here at UChicago to address these disparities?

    45 min
  4. Pre- and Post-Operative Care: What can Patients Expect Before and After Surgery?

    06/01/2025

    Pre- and Post-Operative Care: What can Patients Expect Before and After Surgery?

    In this episode of Deep Cuts: Exploring Equity in Surgery, Dr. Ross Milner and Kathy Kaluhiokalani on what patients can expect before, during, and after surgery. We’ll also explore new ways technology may be able to support patients when it comes to accessing necessary surgeries. Dr. Ross Milner is a Professor of Surgery and the Chief of Vascular Surgery at UChicago Medicine. He is an internationally recognized expert in vascular surgery, specializing in the treatment of complex aortic diseases. He has published over 100 abstracts and manuscripts. In addition to his work as an expert clinician, Dr. Milner is also a dedicated mentor to medical students, residents, and fellows.  Kathy Kaluhiokalani is the CEO and co-founder of Pip Care, a surgical optimization company aimed at supporting patients in their surgical journeys. Pip Care helps guide surgery patients through their journey with supportive personal health coaches, digitalized evidence-based care program, and a consumer-friendly mobile app designed to maximize surgical outcomes such as post-operative infections, hospital length of stay, and ER visits. Pip Care was founded in 2022. Deep Cuts: Exploring Equity in Surgery comes to you from the Department of Surgery at the University of Chicago, which is located on Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi land. Our executive producer is Tony Liu. Our senior producers are Alia Abiad, Caroline Montag, and Chuka Onuh. Our production team includes Megan Teramoto, Ria Sood, Ishaan Kumar, and Daniel Correa Buccio. Our senior editor and production coordinator is Nihar Rama. Our editorial team also includes Beryl Zhou. The intro song you hear at the beginning of our show is “Love, Money Part 2” from Chicago’s own Sen Morimoto off of Sooper Records. Our cover art is from Leia Chen. A special thanks this week to Dr. Jeffrey Matthews — for his leadership, vision, and commitment to caring for the most vulnerable in our communities. Let us know — what have you most enjoyed about our podcast. Where do you see room for improvement? You can reach out to us on Instagram.  @deepcutssurgery. Find out more about our work at deepcuts.surgery.uchicago.edu.

    27 min
  5. Surgical Care for Children

    05/09/2025

    Surgical Care for Children

    In this episode of Deep Cuts: Exploring Equity in Surgery, Dr. Carmelle Romain and Dr. Kylie Callier provide an overview of the field of pediatric surgery. We cover key aspects of pediatric surgery, from common pediatric conditions to the factors that attract surgeons to the subspecialty. We also examine which populations of children lack access to surgery, and the reasons behind these barriers.  Finally, we highlight what the University of Chicago is doing to improve access for children and parents in Chicago’s South Side.  Dr. Carmelle Romain is a pediatric surgeon and Assistant Professor in the Department of General Surgery. She attended medical school at Brown University and completed her residency and fellowship training at Vanderbilt University and Miami Children’s Hospital. In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Romain is an active researcher examining how telehealth can expand access for pediatric patients. Dr. Kylie Callier is a 3rd-year surgery resident at UChicago Medicine and a fellow at the Maclean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics. She is an aspiring pediatric surgeon and attended medical school at Texas Tech University. Her research interests include pediatric trauma and pediatric ECMO, a life-supporting treatment for critically ill children with heart and/or lung failure.  Deep Cuts: Exploring Equity in Surgery comes to you from the Department of Surgery at the University of Chicago, which is located on Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi land. Our executive producer is Tony Liu. Our senior producers are Alia Abiad, Caroline Montag, and Chuka Onuh. Our production team includes Megan Teramoto, Ria Sood, Ishaan Kumar, and Daniel Correa Buccio. Our senior editor and production coordinator is Nihar Rama. Our editorial team also includes Beryl Zhou. The intro song you hear at the beginning of our show is “Love, Money Part 2” from Chicago’s own Sen Morimoto off of Sooper Records. Our cover art is from Leia Chen. A special thanks this week to Dr. Jeffrey Matthews — for his leadership, vision, and commitment to caring for the most vulnerable in our communities. Let us know — what have you most enjoyed about our podcast. Where do you see room for improvement? You can reach out to us on Instagram @deepcutssurgery. Find out more about our work at deepcuts.surgery.uchicago.edu.

    33 min
  6. Comprehensive Cancer Care for the South Side

    04/01/2025

    Comprehensive Cancer Care for the South Side

    In today’s episode, Dr. Mitchell Posner, Dr. Sarah Shubeck, and Dr. Jelani Williams on the University of Chicago Medicine’s new Comprehensive Cancer Center. Scheduled to open in 2027, the new center is a seven-floor, 575,000-square-foot building planned to have 80 private beds and 90 consultation and outpatient rooms. At the moment, the center is anticipated to see 200,000 outpatient visits and 5000 inpatient admissions annually. This would be the city of Chicago’s first freestanding cancer pavilion. How will we ensure that this new center prioritizes the community’s needs? In Chicago’s South Side, cancer death rates are twice the national average, and cancer is also the second-leading cause of death on the South Side behind heart disease. In this conversation, you’ll hear about the center’s development, what patients can expect, and most importantly, the Department of Surgery’s commitment to ensure the cancer center supports those who are most vulnerable.  Dr. Mitchell Posner is the Thomas D. Jones Distinguished Service Professor of Surgery, Chief of the Section of General Surgery, and the Chief Clinical Officer of the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center. From clinical trials for cancer treatment to his more than 250 articles, abstracts, and book chapters, Dr. Posner is a leading authority in the management of upper gastrointestinal cancers. He is frequently voted among the country's best doctors. He is the past president of the Society of Surgical Oncology. He is deputy editor of the Annals of Surgical Oncology and section editor for the gastrointestinal cancer section of the journal Cancer. He served as chairman of the Gastrointestinal Committee of the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG). Dr. Sarah Shubeck is an Assistant Professor in the Department of General Surgery. She is a Breast Surgical oncologist specializing in breast surgery, cancer, and benign disease treatment. In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Shubeck’s research has been published in many journals including Cancer, JAMA Surgery, and Annals of Surgical Oncology. Dr. Jelani Williams is a 5th-year general surgery resident at the University of Chicago. He is an aspiring surgical oncologist and attended the Eastern Virginia Medical School. He has published research on predictive models and surgery for metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors as well as the use of machine learning to distinguish benign and malignant thyroid nodules amongst other topics.  Deep Cuts: Exploring Equity in Surgery comes to you from the Department of Surgery at the University of Chicago, which is located on Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi land. Our executive producer is Tony Liu. Our senior producers are Alia Abiad, Caroline Montag, and Chuka Onuh. Our production team includes Megan Teramoto, Ria Sood, Ishaan Kumar, and Daniel Correa Bucio. Our senior editor and production coordinator is Nihar Rama. Our editorial team also includes Beryl Zhou and Julianna Kenny-Serrano. The intro song you hear at the beginning of our show is “Love, Money Part 2” from Chicago’s own Sen Morimoto off of Sooper Records. Our cover art is from Leia Chen. A special thanks this week to Dr. Jeffrey Matthews — for his leadership, vision, and commitment to caring for the most vulnerable in our communities. Let us know — what have you most enjoyed about our podcast. Where do you see room for improvement? You can reach out to us on Instagram @deepcutssurgery. Find out more about our work at deepcuts.surgery.uchicago.edu.

    39 min
  7. Obesity and Weight Loss Surgery with Dr. Yalini Vigneswaran and Dr. Kayla Councell

    09/15/2024

    Obesity and Weight Loss Surgery with Dr. Yalini Vigneswaran and Dr. Kayla Councell

    On today’s episode, we speak with Dr. Yalini Vigneswaran and Dr. Kayla (Polcari) Councell about bariatric surgery, also known as weight-loss surgery. We discussed the impact of these surgeries on patient health, as well as some of the barriers our patients face in accessing these surgeries. We delve into some of the new weight loss medications on the market, and how patients can figure out what is best for them. Yalini Vigneswaran, MD, MS, is an advanced minimally invasive gastrointestinal surgeon at the University of Chicago who specializes in esophageal and gastric disorders, including motility disorders, esophageal and gastroesophageal junction cancers, reflux disease and paraesophageal hernias. She has specific clinical expertise in esophageal surgery, including minimally invasive esophagectomy for both benign and malignant disease. Additionally, Dr. Vigneswaran has expertise in bariatric surgery and performs various weight loss procedures. Dr. Vigneswaran conducts clinical and translational research and is committed to improving outcomes for patients with gastroesophageal disorders and patients undergoing weight loss surgery. Kayla (Polcari) Councell, MD, MPH, is a general surgery resident at the University of Chicago. She obtained her BS from the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, IN. She then completed medical school and her public health training at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL. She is expected to complete her general surgery residency training in 2027. “Deep Cuts: Exploring Equity in Surgery” comes to you from the Department of Surgery at the University of Chicago, which is located on Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi land. Our senior producer is Tony Liu. Our producers are Alia Abiad, Caroline Montag, and Chuka Onuh. Our editor and production coordinator is Nihar Rama. The intro song you hear at the beginning of our show is “Love, Money Part 2” from Chicago’s own Sen Morimoto off of Sooper Records. Our cover art is from Renaise Kim. A special thanks this week to Beth Gabryszak. We’d also like to thank all of our listeners for supporting the show. Let us know -- what have you most enjoyed about our podcast? Where do you see room for improvement? You can reach out to us on Instagram or X at @deepcutssurgery. Additionally, you can find more information at our website, https://deepcuts.surgery.uchicago.edu/.

    29 min
  8. Why Inclusion and Equity Matter in the Physician Workforce with Dr. Chelsea Dorsey and Dr. Brandon Baird

    08/01/2024

    Why Inclusion and Equity Matter in the Physician Workforce with Dr. Chelsea Dorsey and Dr. Brandon Baird

    In this episode, Dr. Chelsea Dorsey and Dr. Brandon Baird share their stories as physician trailblazers, including their path to medicine and how they are paving the way for others now. Together, they explore the intersectionality of medicine and the importance of fostering diverse and inclusive healthcare environments that not only enhance physician-patient relationships but also aid in addressing health disparities in Chicago’s Southside.  Together, they explore the intersectionality of medicine and the importance of fostering diverse and inclusive healthcare environments that not only enhance physician-patient relationships but also aid in addressing health disparities in Chicago’s Southside.  Dr. Chelsea Dorsey is an Associate Professor of Surgery at UChicago Medicine and an Associate Dean at the Pritzker School of Medicine. She runs the Vein Clinic at UChicago Medicine as director. She has a particular interest in complex aortic conditions and limb salvage therapy. As a committed educator and mentor, Dr. Dorsey regularly teaches medical students, residents and fellows about vascular disease management. Dr. Brandon Jackson Baird is a laryngologist at the University of Chicago. He specializes in a wide range of throat diseases with an emphasis on medical and surgical management of voice and swallowing disorders. His expertise includes treating traumatic vocal cord lesions and throat cancer amongst other conditions. He also provides care for performing and professional voice artists while performing as a trained singer himself.  “Deep Cuts” comes to you from the Department of Surgery at the University of Chicago...which is located on Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi land. Our senior producer is Tony Liu. Our producers are Alia Abiad, Caroline Montag, and Chuka Onuh. Our editor and production coordinator is Nihar Rama. The intro song you hear at the beginning of our show is “Love, Money Part 2” from Chicago’s own Sen Morimoto off of Sooper Records. Our cover art is from Renaise Kim. A special thanks this week to Beth Gabryszak. We’d also like to thank all of our listeners for supporting the show. Let us know -- what have you most enjoyed about our podcast? Where do you see room for improvement? You can reach out to us on Instagram or X at @deepcutssurgery. Additionally, you can find more information at our website, https://deepcuts.surgery.uchicago.edu/

    35 min
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About

What conversations happen in and outside of the operating room, between surgeons, that patients don't often hear? What can be done to minimize the number of individuals who fall through the cracks of the U.S. healthcare system, so they can get the surgical care they need? As a surgery resident and public health advocate, Dr. Anthony Douglas has seen the ways biases limit access for patients, leading to poor health outcomes, especially for the most vulnerable in one's communities. Deep Cuts, the first podcast from The University of Chicago Department of Surgery, addresses these questions while exploring why equity and community-focused care matter in surgery, and how these topics improve outcomes for the patients and communities served not only on the South Side of Chicago, but also across the United States of America.

Information

  • Creator
    The University of Chicago Department of Surgery
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The University of Chicago Department of Surgery
  • Show Website
    Deep Cuts: Exploring Equity in Surgery