Wellness Resources

IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING A CRISIS, PLEASE CALL THE 988 SUICIDE AND CRISIS LIFELINE.

DIAL 988 OR VISIT 988LIFELINE.ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Peer Support Program

Have you or a colleague experienced an adverse event or other situation? A confidential talk with a transplant surgeon trained in supporting others might help.

Fill out our anonymous peer support form and one of our trained peer supporters will reach out.

If you could benefit from talking with a transplant surgeon trained in supporting others, or would like to refer someone you know, please enter your or their name and a brief description of the situation below. If you know their preferred contact information, please enter that as well.

All referrals are confidential. You may choose to remain anonymous or provide your contact information.

Name of person being referred

Reason for referral

Referred person's preferred method of contact (please include email address, phone, etc. if you have it)

Select a choice

If yes, name of APP (and contact information if possible):

Referrer Name (Optional)

Ergonomics

Your job as a surgeon is physically demanding. We've put together some exercises and stretches to help relieve pain and improve your physical wellbeing.

Spotlight: Surgeon Wellness

As a surgeon, prioritizing wellness is critical to preventing burnout and relieving stress! The Wellness Committee has launched this project to highlight how ASTS members focus on self-care!

Kenneth Woodside, MD

Transplant Surgeon, Gift of Life Michigan, Sharing Hope South Carolina, and Academia Invisus

What media are you consuming?

Podcasts

Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me!;
This American Life;
Hidden Brain;
I, Podius by John Hoffman and Elliott Kalan

My absolute favorite book is Grendel by John Gardner. I reread it every few years to see how I've changed. I'm currently reading Until August by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

TV shows:

The Sandman;
The Umbrella Academy;
Atypical.

What are you passionate about other than transplant?

Trying to spend time with my family - I spouse and I have two sons.

woodside5 I am passionate about a number of societal causes. Most important is being kind, but more specifically: LGBTQIA+ rights, global health and capacity building (I helped Ethiopia set up their first transplant center in Addis Ababa, going to Rwanda, as soon as the Marburg outbreak settles down, for the same).

Like most surgeons, I am a professional level coffee drinker. I'm a sporadic runner, and a sporadic yogi, watching the Huron river flow by, I also recently tried my hand at blacksmithing (not at all good at it).

How does this activity help you achieve balance and help prevent burnout?

I'm not sure it does, but decompression is always good. My global health activities help me keep perspective and value the ability to change gears and improvise when needed.

What is your advice to people considering transplant as a career? woodside6

For those considering transplant surgery as a career, I advise them to keep the medicine-side skills up to date, since we're so comprehensive in our care.

How does your passion help you improve your professional abilities?

Any of these activities help me stay actively and enthusiastically engaged with all other aspects of my life.

Follow Dr. Woodside on LinkedIn!

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