Welcome to the SAGES Stories Podcast!

In this episode, hosts Kevin El-Hayek and Jenny Shao sit down with Drs. Nova Szoka and Amin Madani to talk digital surgery, artificial intelligence, computer vision, telepresence, surgical decision-making, and the apparently revolutionary idea that technology should solve an actual problem before we bolt it onto the operating room.

Nova and Amin get into the stuff that makes this more interesting than another “AI is coming” conversation: why situational awareness may matter more than technical skill, how computer vision can help keep a gallbladder dissection out of the danger zone, how enhanced visualization can make complex surgery a little less mysterious, and why good AI needs lots and lots and LOTS of diverse data. They also tackle ethics, governance, telepresence, sustainability, and SAGES’ role in helping establish some traffic laws before everybody starts driving. Also, Claude has opinions, ChatGPT is apparently too agreeable, and the producer continues to reserve the right not to edit out anything funny.

• Defining Digital Surgery: A SAGES White Paper
• Risk and Liability in the Deployment of AI Systems for Surgery: a SAGES White Paper
• 2025 Gerald Marks Lecture – Sustainable AI and the Next Wave of AI Ethics for Healthcare
• TAVAC – Technology and Value Assessments
• Fundamental Use of Surgical Energy

Welcome to the SAGES Stories Podcast!

In episode 37, hosts Kevin El-Hayek and Jenny Shao sit down with Darth Tigeris Dr. Edward Auyang, Sith Lord and Tiger Dad Professor of Surgery at the University of New Mexico, for a wide-ranging conversation about his unconventional path from biomedical engineering and computer science to minimally invasive surgery. Like, SERIOUSLY unconventional.

Dr. Auyang discusses surgical ergonomics, practical ways to reduce physical and cognitive fatigue in the operating room, his approach to resident autonomy and surgical education, and lessons from his visiting professorship in Japan. He also shares his enthusiasm for Star Wars, music, whiskey, anime, and the professional community he has found through SAGES.

• SAGES Stories Episode 17 – Nat Soper
• SAGES Ergonomics Task Force Videos
• SAGES Train the Trainers Course Information

Welcome to the SAGES Stories Podcast!

In episode 36 we feature an in-depth, conversational, and engaging conversation with Dr. Bethany Slater, a first for the podcast as she is the first pediatric surgeon to be featured!

Hosts Kevin El-Hayek and Jenny Shao welcome Dr. Slater to discuss her unique career path, the nuances of pediatric minimally invasive surgery (MIS), her role as chair of the SAGES Guidelines Committee, and the value of an MBA for physicians.

• APSA – American Pediatric Surgical Association
• IPEG – International Pediatric Endosurgery Group
• SAGES Patient Partner Network (PPN)
• GRADE Working Group website.
• SAGES Guidelines Fellowship Job Description
• SAGES Guidelines