S01E13: How the Vision for the American Board of Surgery May Be Changing the Culture of Surgery with Dr. Jo Buyske

Dr. Buyske is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Board of Surgery (ABS). She joined the board in 1998, initially as a Qualifying Examination item writer, then an associate examiner, and finally, a director of the ABS starting in 2006. In 2008 she joined the staff full time as Associate Executive Director and Director of Evaluation, and in 2017 was named Executive Director. Prior to that, Dr. Buyske was Chief of Surgery and Director of Minimally Invasive Surgery at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in Philadelphia, and on faculty at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, where her clinical experience focused on applications of minimally invasive surgery in all areas of general and gastrointestinal surgery. Still clinically active, she remains on staff at the University as an Adjunct Professor of Surgery on the acute care surgery service.

In this episode, Jo Buyske, President & Chief Executive Officer of the American Board of Surgery, Dr. Buyske shares her vision and dives into her vision for the American Board of Surgery and how it has and is changing to better serve us as surgeons. But also, Dr. Buyske demonstrates her talents as an amazing strategic thinker, and the lessons she shares are pure gold. She shares the idea of having a short game, an intermediate game, and a long game when thinking of making culture change - something that you are acutely working on, and planting the seeds for things that will happen way down the road. Her lessons on having patience and waiting until the time is right is an important strategy, and perhaps my favorite, the myth of the great argument, that when disagreeing with someone, telling them (again and again) why your perspective is better… just isn't a winning strategy.

Featured in this episode:

• Changing the American Board of Surgery to "let's get real folks" culture
• Strategies for playing a long game
• Switching from the myth of the great argument to patience and curiosity
• Prioritizing our well-being to improve healthcare

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Imagine being recognized for the value you bring, choosing to show up for what matters, and walking into the hospital with confidence each day. Imagine the power of being intentional. If you are ready to take control, I am here to help. Coaching, speaking, and team professional development programming for surgeons. If you are ready, let's chat. Contact Sharon for more information.

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