Dr. Joon Shim, program director at Bassett Healthcare in Cooperstown, New York, joins host Dr. Randy Lehman and Jacob on The Rural American Surgeon to discuss how Bassett prepares residents for the realities of rural general surgery.

Dr. Shim explains how residents begin gaining operating room experience from day one and train across a broad spectrum of surgical cases without competing with surgical fellows.

The conversation explores what it takes to thrive in rural surgery, including adaptability, resilience, emotional intelligence, and the ability to provide excellent care when patients face challenges with transportation, insurance, and access to specialists.

Dr. Shim also shares what she looks for in residency applicants, Bassett’s approach to leadership development, and why rural surgeons must be prepared to think independently, operate confidently, and care for the entire community.

Key Takeaways

01:21 How Bassett’s Rural Surgery Residency Is Structured

01:54 Building Independence From the First Day in the OR

03:35 What Makes a Resident Thrive in Rural Surgery

04:25 Why Adaptability Is Essential for Rural Surgeons

05:30 How Rural Healthcare Can Improve Continuity of Care

06:26 Providing Excellent Care Despite Patient Resource Limitations

07:15 Adapting Treatment for a Patient With Limited Access to Care

08:22 The Extreme Cases Rural Surgeons Can Encounter

09:56 What Dr. Shim Looks for in Residency Applicants

11:25 Teaching Emotional Intelligence and Leadership

12:42 How Much Operative Experience Interns Can Get

14:27 Training Across Specialties Without Surgical Fellows

15:38 Where Bassett Surgery Graduates Go to Practice

16:46 How Medical Students Can Learn More About Bassett

17:28 Training Surgeons Who Are Technically Driven and Deeply Human

17:48 Thinking Independently and Leading Compassionately

18:54 Connecting With the Rural Surgery Community

19:59 How to Choose the Right Residency Program

20:35 Dr. Shim’s Journey From Major Trauma Centers to Rural Surgery

Resources Mentioned

AO Foundation

https://www.aofoundation.org/

Bassett Healthcare Network

https://www.bassett.org/

Bassett General Surgery Residency Program https://www.bassett.org/medical-education/residency-fellowship-programs/general-surgery-residency-program

Bassett Surgery Residents on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/bassettsurgeryresidents/

North American Rural Surgical Society

https://www.northamericanrss.org/