Is it possible to build a surgical practice from scratch…on your terms…in the hometown you dreamed of serving?
Dr. Randy Lehman is proof that it is, and he’s an open book about his journey with the next generation of surgeons.
In this special Q&A episode, Dr. Lehman sits down with two med students from Baylor College of Medicine's Student Surgical Society to share the story of his path into rural surgery and how he’s built his practice.
They discuss training with intention, avoiding common early-career pitfalls, choosing high-value skillsets, and navigating the hidden politics of hospital privileges.
If you're a med student or resident eyeing rural surgery (or just want a brutally honest look at what it takes), tune in and join the community.
0:00 Intro
0:41 Baylor Student Surgical Society
5:06 Choosing Surgery vs. ER Medicine
11:35 Owning Your Training as a Future Rural Surgeon
17:55 What Rural Surgeons Actually Do Day-to-Day
25:59 Building a Multi-Hospital Rural Practice
31:47 Compensation, Value, and Why Rural Surgery Pays
42:37 High-Value Skills
1:01:21 Making High-Stakes Decisions in Isolation
1:04:34 Practical Surgical Insights and Risk Management
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