What does it take to build a successful career in medicine without losing sight of your personal life?

In this episode of Doctors Unscripted, host Dr. Nadia Giannetti sits down with Dr. Victoria Mandilaras, a medical oncologist at the McGill University Health Centre who specializes in gynecologic and gastrointestinal cancers.

Dr. Mandilaras shares insights into her rapid career progression and what it takes to succeed in a highly competitive field like oncology. Together, she and Dr. Giannetti explore the realities of work-life balance in medicine, including the pressures that come with ambition, achievement, and the expectations placed on physicians, particularly women.

The conversation also dives into an increasingly important topic for young female doctors: fertility preservation. Dr. Mandilaras discusses the considerations, challenges, and evolving options available to women in medicine who are navigating both career growth and family planning.

If you are a medical student, resident, or practicing physician thinking about how to build a meaningful career while maintaining personal priorities, this episode offers an honest and timely perspective.

To learn more about how the MUHC Foundation supports life-changing research and patient care at the MUHC, visit: muhcfoundation.com

In this episode of Doctors Unscripted, host Dr. Nadia Giannetti sits down with Dr. Liane Feldman, Edward W. Archibald Professor and Chair of the Department of Surgery at McGill University and Surgeon-in-Chief at the McGill University Health Centre.

Dr. Feldman is an internationally recognized leader in minimally invasive gastrointestinal surgery and enhanced recovery after surgery. Her patient-centered research focuses on improving surgical recovery, optimizing perioperative care processes, and using technology to enhance operative performance. She founded a multidisciplinary enhanced recovery program at the MUHC that was recognized by Accreditation Canada as a leading practice. She currently serves as President of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons and has held leadership roles across major surgical organizations in Canada and the United States.

In this candid conversation, Dr. Feldman reflects on how she chose surgery as her specialty, what draws physicians to the intensity and precision of the operating room, and the mindset required to thrive in a demanding surgical career. She also shares how she prioritizes her own well-being, maintains balance, and sustains longevity in a high-performance field.

If you are a medical student considering surgery, a clinician navigating leadership, or simply curious about what drives those at the top of their field, this episode offers insight into the discipline, humanity, and resilience behind surgical excellence.

To learn more about how the MUHC Foundation supports life-changing research and patient care at the MUHC, visit: muhcfoundation.com

What does it take to turn a medical idea into a device that can actually be used by patients around the world?

In this episode of Doctors Unscripted, host Dr. Nadia Giannetti sits down with Dr. Yen‑I Chen, Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at McGill University and researcher in the Division of Gastroenterology at the McGill University Health Centre.

Dr. Chen offers a behind-the-scenes look at medical innovation, from conducting clinical research to navigating patents, regulatory approvals, and the complex process of getting medical devices cleared for use across different countries. Together, he and Dr. Giannetti discuss what physicians are rarely taught about commercialization, regulation, and translating research into real-world impact.

The conversation also turns to the personal side of life in academic medicine. Dr. Chen reflects on balancing the demands of being a clinician, researcher, and parent, and how defining priorities early can help create a sustainable and fulfilling career.

If you’re curious about how medical research moves beyond the lab, what it takes to bring new technologies to patients, and how doctors navigate ambition alongside family life, this episode offers an honest and insightful perspective.

To learn more about how the MUHC Foundation supports life-changing research and patient care at the MUHC, visit: muhcfoundation.com