The WISER Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Technical and general information from the podcast's RSS feed.

The WISER Podcast

Women In Surgery at the Emory Residencies

Health & Fitness

Education

Frequency: 1 episode/48d. Total Eps: 59

WOMEN IN SURGERY AT THE EMORY RESIDENCIES

Site

RSS

Apple

Recent rankings

Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.

Apple Podcasts

🇨🇦 Canada - medicine
19/07/2026
#100

Spotify

No recent rankings available

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Links found in episode descriptions and other podcasts that share them.

See all

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wiser/id1434950306
11 shares

RSS feed quality and score

Technical evaluation of the podcast's RSS feed quality and structure.

See all

RSS feed quality

To improve

Score global : 42%

Publication history

Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.

Year

Latest published episodes

Recent episodes with titles, durations, and descriptions.

See all

S7E5: Chief Insights: Dr. Bernadette Peltier

Wednesday, April 8, 2026 • Duration 28:24

On this episode of the WISER Podcast, we continue Chief Insights, our mini-series highlighting the experiences of Emory’s female chief general surgery residents. Through these conversations, we explore their paths to surgery, the mentors who shaped them, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.

For this installment, WISER co-presidents Julia Burns and Rachel Holstein sat down with Dr. Bernadette Peltier. Dr. Peltier attended UT Southwestern for medical school and completed her general surgery residency at Emory, where she is currently serving as a chief resident. She will be heading to the Cleveland Clinic next year to begin her thoracic surgery fellowship.

In this conversation, Dr. Peltier shares her nontraditional path into surgery, from initially considering internal medicine to discovering her passion during trauma rotations. She reflects on how she ultimately found her fit in thoracic surgery, the role of mentorship and advocacy in a competitive match process, and how she approached residency without taking dedicated research years. She also offers thoughtful advice for medical students and interns, emphasizing the importance of mastering the fundamentals of patient care, building strong relationships, and growing into your role over time. We also discuss her experience as a woman in surgery, the transition into chief year, and how she has found balance and support throughout training.

Editors: Julia Byrnes and Rachel Holstein
Producers: Julia Byrnes, Rachel Holstein and Vienna Wang
Hosts: Rachel Holstein and Julia Byrnes
Artwork: Lily Kamat
Music: Bluedot Sessions

The post S7E5: Chief Insights: Dr. Bernadette Peltier first appeared on WISER Podcast.

Read moreCollapse

S7E4: Chief Insights: Dr. Aileen Johnson

Season 7 · Episode 4

Thursday, February 12, 2026 • Duration 23:40

For this installment, WISER co-presidents Julia Byrnes and Rachel Holstein sat down with Dr. Aileen Johnson. Dr. Johnson attended MIT for undergraduate studies before earning her medical degree at Emory University School of Medicine and staying at Emory for general surgery residency. She is one of this year’s chief residents and will be pursuing a fellowship in abdominal transplant surgery at the University of Wisconsin next year.

In this conversation, Dr. Johnson reflects on how her early experiences in EMS during college solidified her commitment to patient care, how mentorship shaped her journey into transplant surgery, and what she gained from taking three dedicated research years. She shares thoughtful advice on ownership in training, cultivating autonomy, and preparing for the responsibility of becoming “the surgeon.” We also discuss her experience as a woman in surgery, the culture of chief year, and the importance of showing up prepared, curious, and intentional at every stage of training.

Editors: Rachel Holstein and Julia Byrnes
Producers: Julia Byrnes, Rachel Holstein and Amelia Fogle
Hosts: Rachel Holstein and Julia Byrnes
Artwork: Lily Kamat
Music: Bluedot Sessions

The post S7E4: Chief Insights: Dr. Aileen Johnson first appeared on WISER Podcast.

Read moreCollapse

On Family Building & Wearing Hats with Dr. Kawwass

Season 6 · Episode 5

Wednesday, September 18, 2024 • Duration 34:52

In this episode, we are honored to have Dr. Jennifer Kawwass with us on the podcast. Dr. Kawwass is joined by President and OBGYN hopeful Megan Wasson and Vice-President Rachel Holstein. Dr. Kawwass speaks with our team about the field of REI, the influence of social media on her patients, and her work in advocating for patients and residents.

Among her numerous roles and responsibilities, she serves as the division director of Reproductive Endocrinology at Emory University and director of the Emory Reproductive Center. Dr. Kawwass obtained her undergraduate degree at Davidson College where she split her time between studies and a division I sport. She went on to medical school in her home state of Virginia at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville and found her way to Atlanta for residency and fellowship training. She has received many accolades along the way including her role as Chief Resident and guest researcher for the CDC as well as her current engagements at the national level with the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) and the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).

Click here to listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Hosts: Megan Wasson and Rachel Holstein
Editors: Grace Nguyen and Megan Wasson
Producers: Shannon Su and Megan Wasson
Artwork: Shannon Su
Music: Bluedot Sessions

The post On Family Building & Wearing Hats with Dr. Kawwass first appeared on WISER Podcast.

Read moreCollapse

S6E4: @ladyspinedoc on The WISER Podcast!

Tuesday, September 10, 2024 • Duration

On this episode, president Shannon Su and president emeritus Elizabeth Rieger are honored to host Dr. Betsy Grunch on the WISER podcast. Dr. Grunch is a neurosurgeon, mom, and “medfluencer” who speaks with us about her insane balancing act of being a mom and a physician, working social media, and what it’s like to be a physician in the spotlight.

Dr. Grunch is an esteemed Neurosurgeon and physician shareholder at the Longstreet Clinic, in Gainesville, Georgia, where she operates at both the Northeast Georgia Medical Center, and the Gainesville Surgical Center. She is a Georgia Native and attended the University of Georgia for her undergraduate degree, and the Medical College of Georgia for medical school. She then attended Duke University for her residency in Neurosurgery, and then spine fellowship. Dr. Grunch is also known as “Lady Spine Doc” on social media platforms, including Instagram and TikTok, where she has almost 2 million followers!

Click here to listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Hosts: Shannon Su and Elizabeth Rieger
Editors: Julia Byrnes
Producers: Shannon Su and Megan Wasson
Artwork: Shannon Su
Music: Bluedot Sessions

The post S6E4: @ladyspinedoc on The WISER Podcast! first appeared on WISER Podcast.

Read moreCollapse

S6E3:On Head & Neck Surgery and Work-Life Balance with Dr. Jennifer Gross

Season 6 · Episode 3

Tuesday, September 3, 2024 • Duration

Welcome to episode 3 of season 6! In this episode, presidents Shannon and Megan speak with Dr. Jennifer Gross about her journey to becoming a head and neck surgeon and the intrigue of head and neck surgery.

Dr. Jennifer Gross is an Assistant Professor in Otolaryngology in the division of Head and Neck Surgery at Emory University. She is an Emory University School of Medicine graduate! Before attending medical school, she was awarded a national research scholarship to work at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). She also interned as a public health inspector at the Beijing Centers for Disease Control, China. Dr. Gross completed her otolaryngology residency at Washington University in St. Louis and her fellowship in head and neck oncologic surgery at the University of Miami. She has authored multiple research publications and book chapters.

Hosts: Megan Wasson, Shannon Su
Editors: Grace Nguyen
Producers: Shannon Su and Megan Wasson
Artwork: Shannon Su
Music: Bluedot Sessions

Stay tuned for our next episode!

The post S6E3:On Head & Neck Surgery and Work-Life Balance with Dr. Jennifer Gross first appeared on WISER Podcast.

Read moreCollapse

S6E2: Behind the Drape with Dr. Hollon

Season 6 · Episode 2

Wednesday, August 21, 2024 • Duration

In this episode, our chief editor extraordinaire, Grace, hosts Dr. McKenzie Hollon on the WISER podcast. After many seasons of speaking with surgeons at the table, we figured it was about time to go beyond the drape, and there is no better person than Dr. Hollon to do that with us. She provides a peek into the wonderful world behind the drape, what it’s like to work and train as a cardiac anesthesiologist at a level one trauma center, and her foray into the realm of anesthesia education.

Dr. Hollon is an esteemed faculty member in the Department of Anesthesiology at Emory University Hospital who specializes in Cardiac Anesthesia. She is also the vice chair for education in the department of anesthesiology. Dr. Hollon obtained her undergraduate degree at Auburn University, and her medical degree from Louisiana State University. She completed both her residency and cardiac fellowship at Emory, and she currently serves as the Vice Chair of Education of Emory’s Anesthesia department.

Hosts: Grace Nguyen
Editors: Grace Nguyen, Megan Wasson
Producers: Shannon Su and Megan Wasson
Artwork: Harleen Kaur
Music: Bluedot Sessions

Stay tuned for our next episode!

The post S6E2: Behind the Drape with Dr. Hollon first appeared on WISER Podcast.

Read moreCollapse

S6E1: Dr. Angela Cheng, on Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (and Asking for What You Deserve)

Season 6 · Episode 1

Wednesday, August 14, 2024 • Duration

Welcome to season 6! In this episode, newly minted presidents Shannon Su and Megan Wasson interview Dr. Angela Cheng, a Plastic and Reconstructive Microsurgeon at Emory. Dr. Cheng provides insight into her experience as a woman in largely male-dominated fields, the significance of mentorship, and the importance of standing up for yourself and asking for what you deserve.

Dr. Cheng is an esteemed faculty in the Plastic Surgery Department at Emory University who specializes in breast reconstruction, microsurgery, lymphedema surgery, and body contouring. She is also Chief of Plastic Surgery at Grady Memorial Hospital and Assistant Program Director for the Plastic Surgery Residency Program at Emory. Dr. Cheng obtained both her undergraduate and medical degree from the University of Florida. She completed her general surgery residency at the University of Texas-Houston, followed by plastic surgery residency at the University of Virginia and a fellowship in breast and microsurgery at UT Southwestern.

Click here to listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Hosts: Shannon Su, Megan Wasson
Editors: Grace Nguyen, Jennifer Wang, Julia Byrnes, Shannon Su
Producers: Shannon Su and Megan Wasson
Artwork: Shannon Su
Music: Bluedot Sessions

Stay tuned for our next episode!

The post S6E1: Dr. Angela Cheng, on Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (and Asking for What You Deserve) first appeared on .

S5E8: Dr. Kirsten Freeman, on Cardiovascular Surgery

Season 5 · Episode 8

Wednesday, March 27, 2024 • Duration 31:08

In this episode, WISER president Lara Schwieger, and co-host Helen O’Leary interview Dr. Kirsten Freeman, a cardiovascular surgeon at the University of Florida. Dr. Freeman discusses her experiences training in hospitals around the country, touches on the pros and cons of integrated vs traditional residency pathways to CT surgery, and describes the transition from surgical trainee to attending.

Dr. Freeman completed medical school at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, then went on to do general surgery residency at the University of Colorado Denver and cardiothoracic surgery fellowship at the University of Florida. Dr. Freeman is currently an Assistant Professor in the Division of Cardiovascular Surgery at the University of Florida, and the Associate Program Director for the Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Integrated and Traditional Residency Training Programs.

Hosts: Lara Schwieger & Helen O’Leary
Editors: Grace Nguyen, Lucy Avant, Julia Byrnes
Producers: Lizzie Rieger & Lara Schwieger
Music: Blue Dot Sessions

Hosts: Lara Schwieger, Helen O’Leary

Editors: Grace Nguyen, Julia Byrnes, Lucy Avant

Producers: Lara Schwieger and Lizzie Rieger

Artwork: Victoria Mau

Music: Bluedot Sessions

The post S5E8: Dr. Kirsten Freeman, on Cardiovascular Surgery first appeared on WISER Podcast.

Read moreCollapse

S5E7: Dr. Megan Tracci, JD, MD, on Health Policy and Vascular Surgery

Season 5 · Episode 7

Wednesday, January 3, 2024 • Duration

In this episode we interview Dr. Megan Tracci, vascular and endovascular surgeon at the University of Virginia, as well as the founder and co-medical director of the UVA Northridge Vein Clinic. Dr. Tracci is our first surgeon with a JD to be featured on the podcast! WISER president, Lizzie Rieger, and co-host Helen O’Leary team up to ask Dr. Tracci about being a dual MD-JD, health policy including her time as a fellow in the US senate, and vascular surgery.

Dr. Tracci graduated from the Medical Scholars Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with both a JD and MD, with an emphasis on health policy and patient safety. She went on to complete a residency in general surgery followed by a fellowship in vascular surgery at the University of Virgina. During her research years as a resident she worked as a legislative fellow for the United States senate.

https://wiserpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/S5E7-Megan-Tracci-MD-JD-on-Health-Policy.m4a

Hosts: Lizzie Rieger, Helen O’Leary
Editors: Grace Nguyen and Julia Byrnes
Producers: Lizzie Rieger, Lara Schwieger
Music: Bluedot Sessions

Hosts: Lizzie Rieger, Helen O’Leary

Editors: Grace Nguyen and Julia Byrnes

Producers: Lara Schwieger and Lizzie Rieger

Artwork: Victoria Mau

Music: Bluedot Sessions

S5E6: Dr. Laura Ramirez-Caban, on Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

Season 5 · Episode 6

Wednesday, November 8, 2023 • Duration 42:46

In this episode we interview Dr. Laura Ramirez-Caban, a Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgeon and assistant professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Emory University Hospital. WISER third year medical students Shannon and Megan team up to ask Dr. Ramirez about minimally invasive gynecologic surgery (MIGS), a relatively new subspecialty in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Later, Dr. Ramirez discusses her passion for working with underserved populations and her experience as a new mom and surgeon.

Dr. Ramirez obtained her undergraduate degree from Drexel University, and her medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine. She completed residency at Emory University and a MIGS fellowship at Cleveland Clinic.

Hosts: Megan Wasson, Shannon Su Editors: Megan Wasson, Shannon Su, Grace Nguyen Producers: Lizzie Rieger, Lara Schwieger Music: Bluedot Sessions

Hosts: Shannon Su, Megan Wasson

Editors: Shannon Su, Megan Wasson, Grace Nguyen

Producers: Lara Schwieger and Lizzie Rieger

Artwork: Victoria Mau

Music: Bluedot Sessions

The post S5E6: Dr. Laura Ramirez-Caban, on Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery first appeared on WISER Podcast.

Read moreCollapse

The WISER Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

The WISER Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other99+

Spotify2

Apple Podcast1

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Other99+

Spotify2

Apple Podcast1