
Episode #68
A Surgeon’s Journey Through Loss, Resilience, and Better Leadership | Ep68
What if the most powerful leadership skill in medicine isn’t technical excellence, but the courage to be vulnerable? Dr. Laura Suttin welcomes Dr. Daniel Eiferman, tenured professor of surgery at The Ohio State University and author of Cut Open: A Surgeon in Stories of Loss, Resilience, and Growth. Together they explore the hidden gaps in medical training, the isolating impact of complications, and the real tools that help clinicians recover and lead more effectively. Dr. Eiferman shares his own story of a major surgical complication, the negative spiral of the “three P’s” (personalization, pervasiveness, permanence), and how peer support, an inner circle, and self-compassion helped him rebuild. The conversation highlights why vulnerability builds trust faster than anything else and how clinician leaders can create high-functioning teams by modeling humanity instead of perfection. This episode offers powerful insights for any healthcare professional struggling with imposter syndrome, burnout, or the emotional weight of high-stakes medicine. Three Actionable Takeaways: Build an inner circle: Cultivate a small group of trusted peers or mentors who truly have your best interests at heart and are willing to give honest feedback, especially after difficult outcomes. Talk to yourself nicely: When facing complications or mistakes, recognize the “three P’s” (personalization, pervasiveness, permanence) and intentionally reframe your thoughts to focus on learning, growth, and the positive impact you’ve made. Lead with vulnerability: Drop your guard first to build trust. Sharing your own struggles openly creates connection and psychological safety that leads to stronger teams and better patient outcomes. About the Show: Designing Healthcare That Cares is where leadership meets humanity. Hosted by Dr. Laura Suttin, the show explores what happens when compassion, connection, and courage come together to transform how we care—for our patients, our teams, and ourselves. About the Guest: Dr. Daniel Eiferman is a tenured professor of surgery at The Ohio State University, a Castle Connolly Top Doctor, and a practicing trauma and acute care surgeon. Known for his candid teaching style, he helps clinicians build resilience, lead teams, and navigate the emotional realities of high-stakes medicine. He is the author of Cut Open: A Surgeon in Stories of Loss, Resilience, and Growth. He is most proud of his marriage to his wife Alyssa and his relationship with their three children, Julia, Jeffrey, and Abby. Dr. Daniel Eiferman’s Book: Cut Open: A Surgeon in Stories of Loss, Resilience, and Growth Website: https://integritysurgery.org About the Host: Dr. Laura Suttin is a physician, leadership coach, and lifelong advocate for designing systems that truly care. After years of navigating the complexities of healthcare, she realized that compassion and connection aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’re the foundation of great medicine. Today, Laura brings that vision to life through her work as a consultant, speaker, and host of Designing Healthcare That Cares . She helps healthcare leaders and clinicians rediscover their purpose, build resilient teams, and lead with both strategy and soul. When she’s not interviewing changemakers or guiding organizations, you can find her sharing stories that remind us all why we got into medicine in the first place—to make a difference, together. Website: drlaurasuttin.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-suttin-md/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/purposefulMD Register for the Clinician Leadership Compass course to combat overwhelm and burnout.: www.thepurposefulmd.com/courses The Designing Healthcare That Cares Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult qualified professionals regarding personal or organizational decisions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.






