S02EP15: Hope in Surgery with Dr. Edward Barksdale

In this episode, Dr. Sharon L. Stein is joined by Dr. Edward Barksdale, a renowned pediatric surgeon and mentor. Together, they explore the powerful concept of hope—how it influences both our personal and professional lives, especially for surgeons.

Key Discussion Points:

• The relationship between vulnerability and resilience in surgery—why hope is not "soft" but an essential discipline that drives our actions, even in tough times.
• Dr. Barksdale and Dr. Stein discuss that hope is not a wish, but an active pursuit in which you maintain a positive orientation to develop the skill set to move in a direction toward goals.
• Dr. Barksdale reflects on a transformative trip to Nicaragua in 2007 that reinforced his belief in the power of hope as a strategic tool for creating positive change, both in s ...