Same Surgeon Different Light Podcast

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In this podcast series, we demystify cardiothoracic surgery by revealing the men and women behind their surgical masks. Hosts Cherie Erkmen, MD, and Sara Pereira, MD, interview CT surgeons at every career stage about the obstacles, triumphs, tradeoffs, and pivotal moments that have shaped their careers. The guests offer powerful, candid stories that are funny, fascinating, heartfelt, and inspiring.

Episodes

  1. 11/13/2025

    171; S5: Same Surgeon, Different Light w/ STS President Joseph Sabik, MD

    In this special episode of Same Surgeon, Different Light, hosts Dr. Cherie Erkmen and Dr. Sara Pereira sit down with STS President Dr. Joseph Sabik as he reflects on his early interest science, the mentors who shaped his career, and the pivotal role mentorship continues to play in his leadership within the Society. He also shares insights into what attendees can anticipate at the 62nd STS Annual Meeting, unpacks the meaning behind this year’s theme—“Teaching for Tomorrow Together”—and offers an exclusive preview of the inspiring speakers and events that will celebrate the specialty’s future.

    37 min

  2. 07/08/2025

    170; S5: Same Surgeon, Different Light w/ ‘You Belong’ Scholarship Recipients

    In the latest episode of Same Surgeon, Different Light, host Dr. Sara Pereira welcomes three recent “You Belong” Scholarship recipients — medical student Manuel De La Garza, Dr. Sanjhai Ramdeen, and Dr. Humberto Rodriguez-Quintero — to discuss the career paths they are forging as future leaders in medicine.  They also share how attending the 61st STS Annual Meeting in Los Angeles strengthened their commitment to pursuing a career in cardiothoracic surgery.  Highlights of the three-day event included discussions on the importance of both organic and assigned mentorship, insights on how CT surgeons can benefit from coaching, and a lively debate that presented different perspectives on the Ross Procedure.

    47 min

  3. 06/24/2025

    169; S5: Same Surgeon, Different Light w/ Dr. Emily Farkas

    Host Dr. Cherie Erkmen welcomes Dr. Emily Farkas, a cardiothoracic surgeon at the Indiana University School of Medicine, to discuss her unconventional path to becoming a trailblazer in global medicine. Dr. Farkas shares how she balances a clinical career in academic medicine with surgical missions around the world, and she reflects on her hope of serving as a model for the next generation of surgeons committed to giving back. As she puts it, “You can craft a career that’s a bit different from the rigid way we traditionally view cardiac surgery.”

    52 min

  4. 06/10/2025

    168; S5: Same Surgeon, Different Light w/ Dr. Brittany Zwischenberger

    Host Dr. Sara Pereira sits down with Dr. Brittany Zwischenberger, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Duke University, to explore her remarkable career journey. Dr. Zwischenberger shares how she briefly considered majoring in Italian Studies before deciding to follow in the footsteps of her surgeon father and mentor. She also opens up about personal challenges—including divorce and single motherhood—and how support from her surgical partners helped her become a respected clinician, accomplished researcher, and the first female associate professor of cardiac surgery at Duke.

    45 min

  5. 06/02/2025

    #167; S5: Same Surgeon, Different Light w/ Dr. Ian Bostock

    Host Dr. Sara Pereira sits down with Dr. Ian Bostock, a thoracic surgeon at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute and an associate professor of surgery at Florida International University. Their conversation explores his journey from childhood in Mexico and his early passion for both biology and art, to his initial interest in transplant surgery—and how a serendipitous meeting at Starbucks helped shape his career path. Dr. Bostock also reflects on the importance of supporting trainees and early-career surgeons as they embark on their professional journeys.

    43 min

  6. 05/13/2025

    #166; S5: Same Surgeon, Different Light w/ Dr. Tomislav Mihaljevic

    Host Dr. Cherie Erkmen speaks with Dr. Tomislav Mihaljevic, cardiothoracic surgeon and CEO & President of the Cleveland Clinic, about his remarkable path from early life in Croatia to surgical training in Zurich and Boston, a journey that reflects the international growth of the Cleveland Clinic itself. Now at the helm of one of the world’s most prestigious healthcare systems, Dr. Mihaljevic shares how his global experiences continue to shape his vision for delivering exceptional care worldwide.

    1h 6m

  7. 04/29/2025

    #165; S5: Same Surgeon, Different Light w/ Dr. Lisa Brown

    Host Dr. Cherie Erkmen sits down with Dr. Lisa Brown, thoracic surgeon at UC Davis Health, to explore the pivotal moments that shaped her unique journey in medicine — from working as a nursing assistant and contemplating PA school, to earning her medical degree and initially leaning toward emergency medicine, before ultimately finding her calling in thoracic surgery. Dr. Brown also shares her clinical passions and dives into the importance of her research in preoperative education and patient-reported outcomes — and why these areas matter so deeply to her.

    1h 6m

  8. 04/15/2025

    #164; S5: Same Surgeon, Different Light w/ Drs. Ross and Jamie Ungerleider

    Co-hosts Dr. Cherie Erkmen and Dr. Sara Pereira have a fascinating conversation with Dr. Ross Ungerleider, a congenital heart surgeon at University of North Carolina Health, and his wife, Dr. Jamie Ungerleider, an educational psychologist, about their research and personal experiences supporting surgeons and their families, with a particular focus on spousal wellness. Their work emphasizes the importance of addressing the well-being of surgeons' significant others, who often face unique challenges that can impact both their relationships and personal lives.

    58 min

  9. 04/01/2025

    #163; S5: Same Surgeon, Different Light w/ Dr. Stephen Yang

    In the latest episode of Same Surgeon, Different Light, live from #STS 2025, co-hosts Drs. Sara Pereira and Cherie Erkmen speak with Dr. Stephen Yang, a professor of surgery and medical oncology at Johns Hopkins University, about how the cardiothoracic specialty can be further diversified through initiatives such as the Looking to the Future Scholarship. They also discuss how providing medical students and residents with mentorship, networking opportunities, and exposure to innovators at the Annual Meeting can inspire more of them to pursue cardiothoracic surgery. You'll also hear about his personal interests and hobbies, as well as how he stays in touch with his very first mentor—his high school biology teacher.

    28 min

  10. 03/11/2025

    #162; S5: Same Surgeon, Different Light w/ Dr. A.J. Carpenter

    Dr. Sara Pereira sits down with Dr. A.J. Carpenter from the University of Texas Health San Antonio to discuss the significance of mentorship—both giving and receiving—and shares valuable insights on how women can navigate challenging professional environments.

    36 min

  11. 02/25/2025

    #161; S5: Same Surgeon, Different Light w/ Dr. Andrea Wolf

    In the latest episode of Same Surgeon, Different Light, new co-host Dr. Cherie Erkmen explores the inspiring story of Dr. Andrea Wolf, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Mount Sinai Hospital who is also a single mom. Dr. Wolf shares the challenges and rewards of balancing her career with motherhood, highlighting how her son has influenced both her professional and personal life. Tune in to hear about her unique career path and the personal growth she has experienced along the way.

    1 hr

  12. 02/25/2025

    #160; S5: Same Surgeon, Different Light w/ Dr. David Cooke and Dr. Thomas Varghese

    In the season premiere of Same Surgeon, Different Light, new co-hosts Dr. Cherie Erkmen and Dr. Sara Pereira sit down with Dr. David T. Cooke, professor in the Division of General Thoracic Surgery at UC Davis Health, and Dr. Thomas Varghese, professor and section chief of General Thoracic Surgery at the University of Utah School of Medicine. Together, they reflect on the surprising and inspiring stories shared throughout previous seasons. The episode wraps up with Drs. Cooke and Varghese turning the tables on the hosts, asking about what’s in store for the upcoming season of Same Surgeon, Different Light.

    48 min
  • 12 Episodes

About

In this podcast series, we demystify cardiothoracic surgery by revealing the men and women behind their surgical masks. Hosts Cherie Erkmen, MD, and Sara Pereira, MD, interview CT surgeons at every career stage about the obstacles, triumphs, tradeoffs, and pivotal moments that have shaped their careers. The guests offer powerful, candid stories that are funny, fascinating, heartfelt, and inspiring.

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