Episode notes
This week on The Intentional Surgeon, I sit down with Dr. Amy Vertrees for a deeply resonant conversation on pivotal career moments, leadership in medicine, and the power of sharing hard-earned lessons. Dr. Vertrees shares the turning point when she realized the system wasn’t what she expected—and how she moved forward with intention instead of waiting for perfect conditions.
From building something meaningful in her own practice to redefining leadership beyond being a "widget" in the system, Dr. Vertrees invites us to reconsider what it truly means to lead in medicine. This episode is a must-listen for anyone standing at a crossroads or longing to reclaim their agency in healthcare.
Highlights:
- The moment of reckoning: when staying the same is no longer an option
- Letting go of the myth of perfect timing
- Reimagining physicians as builders, leaders, and culture-shapers
- Sharing struggles as a tool for mentorship and collective healing
About Dr. Amy Vertrees: Dr. Amy Vertrees is a board-certified general surgeon, military veteran, coach, and the founder of BOSS Surgery. She is passionate about surgical culture transformation, leadership development, and supporting physicians through career pivots. With years of clinical and leadership experience, Dr. Vertrees brings both insight and empathy to conversations about change in medicine.