Wellness Resources
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 - my spouse and I have two sons.
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? 
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!
Malay Shah, MD
Surgical Director, Liver Transplant Program, University of Kentucky
What media are you consuming?
Watching Seinfeld re-runs and going down Wikipedia rabbit holes on random topics. I have a particular interest in World War II history.
What are you passionate about other than transplant?
My wife and two children will always be the first and foremost focus of my life outside of work. However, I have lost both of my parents in the last 3 years. In the last several months, I have been on a quest of personal and family discovery. I have been focused on identifying my family tree, much of which is difficult to research considering my family is from India. Much of the family history is not contained in formal written documentation. Having said that, there have been many aspects of my ancestors that has come to light and has been fascinating to discover. The endless search of self-discovery continues.
How does this activity help you achieve balance and help prevent burnout?
Researching my family origins and family tree has allowed me to re-connect with family members in India. Family members that I had previously lost contact with for a variety of reasons. As someone who has always valued knowing where I have come from, researching and discovering many forgotten aspects of my family lineage has given me a new purpose in life, which in turn, I will pass down to my children.
How does your passion help you improve your professional abilities?
Rather than being irritated with the challenges of work and medicine, my interests outside of work have allowed me to better realize that there are more meaningful aspects to life than simply work. Having activities outside of work have allowed me to not continuously think about work when I get home. This in turns allows me to be a better physician/surgeon when I come to work.
What do you do to decompress after a busy week at work?
Hang out on the covered patio, drink bourbon and watch TV. Going to Home Depot or Ace Hardware to get things for home improvement projects.
What is your advice for people considering transplant?
Be prepared to work hard. Be prepared to work long hours. Be prepared for stress that you have not encountered to this degree at any
particular stage of life. Be prepared for the lows of unexpected poor patient outcomes. Having said that, be prepared for the immense gratitude and happiness of saving lives and literally giving patients a second chance at living. The friendships that may come with some patients and their families. The gravity of honoring donors and their families by giving the gift of life.
Also, be passionate about patient care, donation and transplantation. Don’t accept the status quo. If something doesn’t seem right… go with your gut instinct. Don’t let fancy statistical analyses in papers detract from common sense. Don’t let people stand in your way to tell you that you are incorrect. Make sure your voice is heard. There are many ways your voice can be heard, including outside of the traditional medical and surgical societies. Very simply, don’t let people tell you how you should think. No one knows your patient’s needs better than you, nor will anyone else advocate for your patient’s better than you.
Follow Dr. Shah on social media!
@doc_transplant on Instagram
@txpdoc on X
Meredith Barrett, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery, Transplant Surgery / Surgical Director of Pediatric Transplantation, Michigan Medicine
What media are you consuming?
Twitter and Instagram, and lots of books!
What are you passionate about other than transplant?
My favorite activity currently is spending time with my family. We recently had a baby, which has brought a whole lot of fun to my life and reaffirmed just how amazing all women (not just surgeon moms) are! I also like being active with running
and the peloton. I have run 10 marathons and many other races. My last 5K was when I was 32 weeks pregnant but hope to get back to it soon!
How does this activity help you achieve balance and help prevent burnout?
I love my job but getting to step away from the hustle and bustle of transplant and go on a run in nature can really help me recenter myself. I often listen to a podcast to free my mind but sometimes I like to visualize the case I will be doing that day (I am a morning worker-outer), and I find that actually helps me de-stress and feel prepared for the day ahead.
What is your advice to people considering transplant as a career?
Do it! I think we have the most amazing and incredible jobs. We get to be witnesses to miracles everyday and transform the lives of our patients in such a palpable way. As a woman (and now mom) in transplant, ask me about the feasibility of the transplant lifestyle if you want to have a family or a life outside of the hospital. I tell them the lifestyle can be unpredictable but also can be awesome for getting time with your kids. My first week back from maternity leave I did a overnight pediatric transplant. Operating all night isn't for everyone but I got to put my baby to bed and then I was back shortly after she woke up for more snuggles--AND I got to give a baby a new liver in between!
How does your passion help you improve your professional abilities?
Practice makes you a good technician. Passion makes you a good doctor.
What do you do to decompress after a busy week at work?
Family time and working out are my go tos, but I have also found myself on quite the true crime kick as of late. There is no explanation for it but dang its ADDICTING.
Follow Dr. Barrett on X or Instagram @sparklyscalpel.
Leigh Anne Dageforde, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor of Surgery, Mass General Hospital/Harvard Medical School
What media are you consuming?
Podcasts:
- The Best One Yet, which is a pop-biz podcast
Newsletters/Substack
- ParentData by Emily Oster, which is about data-driven parenting
What are you passionate about other than transplantation?
I love being a mom! I love it more than I ever imagined! I also love all things outdoors as a family with our family dog, a vizsla named Corbet. I love to run - my husband and I met through a running group and we just finished the Chicago Marathon
together (we've both done many but never a marathon together start to finish!). We also love to travel and do adventurous things outside when we travel.
How does this activity help you achieve balance and prevent burnout?
We often go on family runs/walks/hikes/go to the dog beach. Everyone goes: my husband, me, our baby, and dog! Being outside brings me some peace and helps me unplug.
What is your advice for people considering transplantation?
There are so many different ways to be a transplant surgeon and structure a career in a way that allows it to fit in with your life. Make sure to investigate all the options! Also, the field has great opportunities in so many areas beyond the clinical/operative work. There’s also research, policy, economics, innovation, ethics, equity, and so much more.
How does your passion help improve your professional abilities/life?
Running improves my mood, brings me joy, and allows me time to find some peace. When I push my son in the jogging stroller and take the dog and my husband along, it is a great way to spend time with them too. Honestly, sometimes I just want to keep running so I don't have to open Epic or my email!
What do you to decompress after a busy week at work?
I go outside with my family. If I'm totally off I try to leave my phones (especially the work phone) behind so I can recharge.
Follow Dr. Dageforde on X @la_dageforde
Adam Bodzin, MD
Associate Professor of Surgery, Surgical Director - Liver Tumor Program, Thomas Jefferson University
What media are you consuming?
I like to read mostly mystery novels, watch NBA and NFL games, and listen to sports podcasts on my way to work.
What are you passionate about besides transplant?
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Raising our two daughters and our dog, Arizona (she's a charcoal Labrador), indoor and outdoor cycling, cooking, and enjoying time with my wife.
How does this activity help you achieve balance and prevent burnout?
Biking is my mood booster, and seeing happiness in my family helps subdue the stress.
What is your advice for people considering a career in transplant?
Transplantation was my first rotation as a resident. It was eye opening, and life changing, and remains continuously challenging. Additionally, I look at it as the ultimate team sport in medicine. Every day it makes you want to get better and to continually improve the lives of your patients and your team. Don’t be scared off by what people say! It is an extremely rewarding career choice.
How does your passion help you improve your professional abilities/life?
Being passionate about other things makes me a more well-rounded person and ultimately a happier and more productive physician.
How do you decompress after a busy week at work?
Exercise, cook (especially love making homemade pasta with my kids), and go to dinner with my wife. 
Follow Dr. Bodzin on X @abodz and on Instagram @a_bodzin
Dorry Segev, MD, PhD
Professor of Surgery and Population Health, Member, National Academy of Medicine, Vice Chair for Research, Department of Surgery, Director, Center for Surgical and Transplant Applied Research, NYU Langone Health
What media are you consuming?
I am always listening to new music. There's so much amazing creativity out there.
What are you passionate about other than transplantation?
Dance, music, DJing, festivals, drone photography, rock climbing, hiking and mountain climbing, snow skiing, and water skiing.
How does this activity help you achieve balance and prevent burnout?
It allows me to stay creative and reset my mind by spending time not thinking about work.
What is your advice for people considering transplantation?
Solid organ transplantation is an amazing opportunity to radically change people's lives, both donors and donor families and recipients. It's also an incredibly scientifically exciting field that significantly changes every 5-10 years with incredible innovations. And let's not forget, the operations are super cool!
Balance might seem difficult to find, given the intimidating nature of jobs in the field, but it's actually easier to find balance in
transplant surgery than other surgical specialties because it's a team sport and when you're off, you're off. That's why there is so much amazing science being done by transplant surgeons, and why transplant surgeons have such creative lives outside of our field.
How does your passion help improve your professional abilities/life?
My creative hobbies help keep me creative in my science and keep me grounded and relatable in my patient care. I really love connecting with patients by finding music that we both like.
What do you to decompress after a busy week at work?
I dance, play music, rock climb, all of my hobbies!
Follow Dr. Segev on X @dorry_segev; and Instagram @dorrytheexplorer
Keri Lunsford, MD, PhD
Director of Translational and Surgical Science, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Liver Transplant and HPB Surgeon, Member of the
Center for Immunity and Inflammation, Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School
What media are you consuming?
I listen to Audible audio books during my commute and I read books. Mostly fiction in a very broad range of genres depending on my mood.
What are you passionate about other than transplant?
Underwater photography, landscape photography, and scuba diving. I have an underwater photography side business, which allows me to take a few trips a year to exotic locations off the beaten path. I am also learning to kickbox, which is a great
way to blow off steam.
How does this activity help you achieve balance and prevent burnout?
It is the best way to decompress.
What is your advice for people considering transplant as a career?
Transplant is an incredibly rewarding field where you can see the profound impact that you have on
patients' lives, but those specialties with the greatest rewards also have the greatest risks. You must make your life choices based on what you find most personally rewarding
as this is the only reason to make the challenge worthwhile.
How does your passion help improve your professional abilities/life?
Passion is the main reason to maintain your motivation and work hard.
What do you do to decompress after a busy week at work?
I sleep, hang out with friends, go to the gym, have a spa day, edit some photos or videos, or plan my next vacation.
Follow Dr. Lunsford on social media!
Jacqueline Garonzik Wang, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Surgery, Abdominal Organ Transplant Surgeon, Surgical Director of Kidney Transplantation, University of Wisconsin, Madison
What media are you consuming?
During my commute I listen to Audible books and podcasts to help me relearn conversational Spanish, or anything triathlon-related as I try and pick up the sport.
What are you passionate about other than transplant?
Family! I’m also taking on the challenge of trying to complete an ironman. My son and our newly adopted puppy have been doing short runs with me and it’s probably the highlight of my week.
How does this activity help you achieve balance and prevent burnout?
It keeps everything in perspective. In addition to bringing down my blood pressure and reducing stress, it also gives me time to disconnect from work and focus on things that bring me joy and make me whole.
What is your advice for people considering transplant as a career?
My job is awesome! It’s made even more awesome by the fantastic network of peers and mentors I’ve made along the way. That network is key not only to success, but also to happiness and satisfaction in the field.
How does your passion help improve your professional abilities/life?
All of the experiences I have outside of the hospital contribute to my abilities as a doctor - my family and outside pursuits teach me
compassion, empathy, focus, organization, longitudinal planning and so much more.
What do you to decompress after a busy week at work?
I thrive on quality family time, but also need a small amount of personal time to reset. Family time is often unstructured fun time in the evening or weekends with some adventurous family vacations mixed in. Personal time is almost always spent running, biking or swimming. Sometimes I do this solo to just be alone in with my thoughts, but other times I do these with friends, colleagues, or teammates. It’s food for the soul!
Follow Dr. Garonzik Wang on X @jgaronzikwang!
Christopher Connelly, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery, Abdominal Organ Transplant Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University
What media are you consuming?
NY Times, New Yorker Magazine, Outside Magazine
Podcasts:
- 5-4 Prologue Project
TV:
- Various bad series with my wife
- Bluey, Mickey Mouse Club House, Disney Channel with my kids
- Global Cycling Network and Global Mountain Biking Network
What are you passionate about other than transplant?
Family trips around the northwest, cycling, anything with mountains such as climbing, mountain biking, Nordic and alpine skiing, and ski touring, and surfing (poorly) when I can.
How does this activity help you achieve balance and prevent burnout?
It's a way to connect with family and friends and disconnect from work-related stress.
What is your advice for people considering transplant as a career?
The path can be very taxing, but the end result is very rewarding. There is very little else you can do to impact the lives of patients so acutely.
How does your passion help improve your professional abilities?
Maintaining a balance in my life is key to my fulfillment. I do everything better when things are not too lopsided in any direction.
What do you do to decompress after a busy week at work?
Sleep, cook, and spend time with my family. I try to get outside by any means available.
Alp Sener, MD, PhD
Professor of Surgery and Microbiology and Immunology, Kidney/Pancreas Transplant Surgeon, Chair/Chief of Urology, Surgeon-Scientist, Western University
What media are you consuming?
Twitter and LinkedIn, any and all movies, and news from a variety of sources.
What are you passionate about other than transplant?
When I’m not working I love spending time with family, travelling, and watching the Texas Longhorns. I am also a serial entrepreneur and an avid collector of watches and pens.
How do these activities help you achieve balance and prevent burnout?
Having interests outside of medicine/transplant allows me to have better focus and keeps my ideas fresh.
What is your advice for people considering transplant?
It is an awesome specialty with an amazing network of people who become your extended family. Work hours continue to improve so don't let that be a deterrent when choosing your career path. Go with what makes you smile every day.
How does your passion help you improve your professional abilities?
Without passion, we're just going through the motions...and that’s no fun!
What do you do to decompress after a busy week at work?
After a busy week, all I want to do is spend time with my family at the cottage and listen to music.
Follow Dr. Sener on X at @AlpSener2
Jeffrey Stern, MD
Abdominal Transplant Surgeon, NYU Langone Health
What media are you consuming?
My favorite podcasts are:
TV shows:
- Whatever my wife is watching!
What are you passionate about other than transplant?
I am passionate about systems optimization, drawing, painting, and especially spending time with my family.
How do these activities help you achieve balance and prevent burnout?
It allows me to mentally decompress and distract my mind from a week of intense call. It allows me to recover so I can come back and do it again.
What is your advice for people considering transplant?
I have trouble imagining a field of medicine that can have as immediate an impact on a patient population as transplant and transplant 
surgery. Each patient and transplant can be the most rewarding event for all involved. Professionally, it is the most interdisciplinary
field of medicine that allows a large group of people to work together to improve a patient’s care and life.
How does your passion help you improve your professional abilities?
I try to bring something from every aspect of my life to my professional practice. From technical skills to organizational abilities, I try to improve what I do and how I care for patients every day.
What do you do to decompress after a busy week at work?
After a busy call week, I try to go to the gym, hike, stretch, meditate, or get a massage to both physically and mentally relax.
Follow Dr. Stern on Instagram at @jms850 or on X at @jstern85
Sunil Geevarghese, MD, MSCI
Hepatobiliary and Liver Transplant Surgeon, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
ASTS Councilor-at-Large and TACC Councilor
What are you passionate about besides transplant?
Besides transplant and hepatobiliary surgery, I am deeply passionate about educating and supporting the next generation of surgeons. My joy comes from family, travel, and horology (art and science of timekeeping).
How does this activity help you achieve balance and help prevent burnout?
Engaging in passions outside of surgery adds depth and joy to life. As my wife, Liby, often says, “Grab joy wherever you can!”
What is your advice for people considering transplant as a career?
Relish the many joys of transplant surgery even as you consider the challenges. It is a gift to witness the transformative power of transplant surgery. Remember your “why.”
What do you do to decompress after a busy week at work?
Reconnect with my family to find out what I missed while I was operating. And sleep! Taking time to rest is so important.
Follow Dr. Geevarghese on X at @skgeevarghese
Juliet Emamaullee, MD, PhD
Abdominal Transplant Surgeon-Scientist, USC/CHLA
What media are you consuming?
I enjoy listening to my favorite podcasts, including True Sunlight, Court Junkie, More Perfect, and Queen of the Con. My favorite books currently are Dare to Lead by Brene Brown, Wool by Hugh Howey, and Hail Mary by Andy Weir. When I’m not listening to podcasts or reading, I’ll be watching the tv shows Grantchester, or Hijack!
What are you passionate about other than transplant?
When I’m not in the OR, I love to walk my dog, travel, have weekend brunches with my family, and watch Alabama football.
How do these activities help you achieve balance and prevent burnout?
I walk my dog nearly every day to clear my head, spend time outside, and enjoy his happiness. While I’m walking my dog I’ll listen to a podcast or audiobook or call my mom to catch up. It is good to have a mental break from work-related stress and start the day with a clean slate.
How does your passion help you improve your professional abilities?
I am a happier person in general when I am making time for my passions. This helps me be a better doctor, colleague, mentor, and leader.
What do you do to decompress after a busy week at work? 
On the weekend I’ll take longer walks with my dog, I spend time with my family, and soaking in the hot tub if there was a lot of operating.
What is your advice for people considering transplant?
Transplant surgery is one of the most rewarding careers. Some will say the highs are high, the lows are low. It is critical to have excellent mentorship and peers (locally or a phone call away) to provide support when you need it. Don't forget to stretch to maintain flexibility and wear compression socks!
Follow Dr. Emamaullee on X at @DrEmamaullee or on Instagram at @Jemamaullee
Nicholas Onaca, MD
Organ Procurement Surgeon, LifeGift
What media are you consuming?
My favorite publications are the Atlantic, Associated Press, and Reuters. I also like to listen to podcasts! Here are some of my favorites:
I also avidly watch Dancing with the Stars (I know a few of the pros!)
What are you passionate about other than transplant?
When I'm not in the OR, I'm usually trail or mountain running, dancing (show performance and social), or alpine skiing
How does this activity help you achieve balance and prevent burnout?
I have found my hobbies build grit, help me change my mindset, and release improper posture.
How does your passion help you improve your professional abilities?
I transfer the principles that I learn from these outside activities into my professional practice.
What do you do to decompress after a busy week at work?
I'll go running, dance, or do some floor work with an element of meditation.
Dennis Sonnier, MD
Abdominal Transplant Surgeon, Ochsner Health
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What media are you consuming?
I like to listen to podcasts! My current favorites are:
I like to indulge in my favorite shows, including anything in the Star Wars universe and What We Do in the Shadows.
What are you passionate about other than transplant?
I love anything related to Star Wars, especially the film props! It's something that I've been
interested in my whole life, so it connects me to a time in my life when I wasn't a surgeon.
What do you do to decompress after a busy week at work?
Spending time with my family, doing as much "dad stuff" as I can manage.
Peer Support Program
If you're struggling from stress, burnout, or just need some extra support, we offer a Peer Support Program where you can connect with a transplant professional trained in emotional first-aid.
Thank you to Sanofi for supporting our Wellness Efforts!
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Thank you to Veloxis for supporting our Peer Support Program!
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