SurgOnc Today®

On this episode of SurgOnc Today, we discuss how early-career surgical oncologists can strategically approach 2nd contract renegotiations. Dr. Robin Schmitz is joined by Dr. Rajesh Ramanathan and Dr. Brett Ecker as they share contrasting perspectives, one having stayed and grown within the same institution, the other with a recent transition to a new academic center. Together, they discuss how to assess your value, understand leverage, and navigate decisions around compensation, academic advancement, clinical resources, and leadership opportunities.

Whether you're planning to stay or considering a move, this episode provides practical insights to help you negotiate with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

On this episode of SurgOnc Today, Ko Un (Clara) Park, MD and Andrea Abbott, MD, MCSR lead a discussion with Taiwo Adesoye, MD and Kevin Hughes, MD to discuss how artificial intelligence (AI)-driven tools are revolutionizing clinical decision-making and patient outcomes in surgical oncology. Real-world applications such as pathology image analysis, assistance during tumor board, and utilizing "ambient scribing" to reduce documentation burdens are discussed.

In this episode of SurgOnc Today, Dr. Lily Saadat is joined by Dr. Austin Williams and Dr. Mackenzie Shindorf to discuss negotiating your first contract as a surgical attending. This podcast is geared towards trainees who are preparing to transition from training to independent practice and will cover what matters most in a contract, common pitfalls to avoid, and how to best advocate for yourself during this process.

On this episode of SurgOnc Today, Flavio Rocha, Professor and Division Head of Surgical Oncology at OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, leads a discussion about engagement of surgeons in the National Clinical Trials Network cooperative groups with Sepideh Gholami, Associate Professor and Director of Translational Research in Surgical Oncology at Northwell Health, and Michael Lowe, Associate Professor and Director of the Melanoma Program at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University. They discuss the impact that surgeons can have on the design and implementation of NCI-sponsored clinical trials and offer insights on ways for surgeons to engage with the cooperative groups.

In this episode of SurgOnc Today®, Drs. Bonci, Boughey & Adesoye review the most important breast cancer management updates from the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Expert breast surgical oncologists discuss new findings on axillary surgery and when less invasive approaches may be safely considered, the role and impact of preoperative MRI in newly diagnosed breast cancer cases, and emerging strategies for the non-surgical management of DCIS. This episode focuses on what surgeons need to know now - and how these studies may guide patient care moving forward.