AANA24 Shoulder All-Access Pass-CONCURRENT SCIENTIFIC SESSION 1D: Emerging Leaders Program

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Jean Pakowski, chair of the ANA Emerging Leaders Committee, opens the ANA24 Emerging Leaders Program by emphasizing that ANA uniquely invites early involvement and values innovation from younger surgeons. The session aims to help early-career surgeons navigate leadership challenges in practice and encourages attendees to provide feedback to improve future programs.<br /><br />A panel of leaders discusses common early-practice leadership mistakes and lessons. Rachel Frank highlights the danger of “angry emails,” advising surgeons to draft but wait 24–48 hours before sending and to seek outside perspective. Others stress setting clear expectations and boundaries with teams, while also understanding the “business” side of medicine—coding, compensation, and institutional incentives—so administrators don’t exploit ignorance. Panelists note that frustration often comes from assuming everyone shares the surgeon’s goals; effective leadership requires learning what motivates OR and clinic staff and aligning incentives. The group contrasts “stick vs. carrot” motivation: consequences can achieve minimum compliance, but positive reinforcement is needed for maximum effort. Another theme is resisting “approval addiction” and focusing on doing the right thing at the right time for the right reason.<br /><br />Surprises in early practice include the need for mentorship networks, developing self-compassion, plans going wrong quickly in the OR, imposter syndrome, high variability in systems and workflows, and the emotional weight of complications—especially when personal fault is involved.<br /><br />Key advice: trust your training, enjoy the start of practice, sleep more, build templates and systems early, protect time for important non-urgent work, set boundaries, avoid isolation, and make a strong first impression.<br /><br />The session ends with rotating small-group discussions (research, education innovation, practice management, and membership/leadership) and transitions to networking with refreshments and a J&J-sponsored virtual reality demo.

Asset Caption

Moderators: Jeanne C. Patzkowski, M.D., FAANA, Bonnie P. Gregory, M.D.

Keywords

ANA24 Emerging Leaders Program

early-career surgeon leadership

practice management and business of medicine

mentorship networks

imposter syndrome in surgery

operating room team motivation

setting expectations and boundaries

angry email 24–48 hour rule

positive reinforcement vs consequences

self-compassion after complications

workflow variability and systems templates