Welcome to ”The Rural American Surgeon,” a podcast series dedicated to providing insights, resources, and a community for the surgeons of rural America. Your host, Randy Lehman, is an established authority on the multifaceted aspects of rural surgery—from the unique professional benefits and challenges, rural surgical training paradigms, current reimbursement landscape, and how to create triple win opportunities for sustainable rural surgery in partnerships with hospitals and rural communiti ...
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E30: Innovations in Rural Surgery with Dr. Eugene Shively
56:59
56:59
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56:59How can rural surgeons navigate the complexities of modern surgical techniques while maintaining financial stability? Host Dr. Randy Lehman welcomes back Dr. Eugene Shively, a retired general surgeon from Campbellsville, Kentucky, to explore this question. They discuss the critical role of rural surgery, delve into common bile duct exploration tech…
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A family emergency gave Dr. Randy Lehman an unexpected perspective—from the waiting room instead of the operating room. In this episode, he shares the story of his grandfather’s emergency gallbladder surgery and how that experience reshaped his approach to rural surgical care. From the weight of urgent decisions to the strain of limited resources, …
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For Dr. Randy Lehman, “rushing to surgery” sometimes means taking to the skies. In this episode, he shares how aviation became an unexpected solution to some of rural healthcare’s biggest hurdles: time, distance, and access. From unforgettable landings to the real-world logistics of owning and flying a helicopter, Dr. Lehman gives us a front-row se…
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E27: Bringing Complex Procedures Back to Rural Roots with Dr. Rebekah Wever
46:33
46:33
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46:33Join host Dr. Randy Lehman as he welcomes Dr. Rebekah Wever, a passionate young rural surgeon who returned to her Appalachia, Ohio roots after training in South Dakota. In this episode, Dr. Wever shares candid reflections on her first independent cases while delivering a masterclass on the innovative Transversus Abdominis Release (TAR) technique fo…
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E26: Honduras Medical Missions & Gallbladder Cases with Dr. John Haeberlin
51:35
51:35
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51:35After a week of medical missions in rural Honduras, host Dr. Randy Lehman sits down with Dr. John Haeberlin to reflect on their experience and discuss laparoscopic cholecystectomy techniques. Dr. Haeberlin shares insights on robotics and breaks down an excellent "How I Do It" segment on a gallbladder case. Dr. Lehman also recounts a compelling case…
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E25: Rural Emergency C-Sections with Dr. Dave Kermode
1:17:57
1:17:57
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1:17:57Host Dr. Randy Lehman sits down with Iowa rural surgeon and former Navy doctor, Dr. Dave Kermode, for a gripping deep dive into an emergency C-section case. Together, they explore the key differences between elective and emergency C-sections in a rural setting, offering valuable insights for general surgery residents. Beyond medicine, they also dis…
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E24: Sentinel Node Biopsy with Dr. Mel Johnson - Part 2
32:50
32:50
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32:50Welcome back for this Part Two conversation with host Dr. Randy Lehman and distinguished breast surgeon, Dr. Mel Johnson. Listen for a technical walkthrough on sentinel lymph node biopsy, plus a very unique bonus “How I Do It” section involving surgery on a farm! Stay through the end for Dr. Johnson’s powerful encouragement for the new resident who…
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E23: Sentinel Node Biopsy with Dr. Mel Johnson - Part 1
39:55
39:55
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39:55Host Dr. Randy Lehman welcomes Dr. Mel Johnson, President of the North American Rural Surgical Society and Program Director at Gundersen Lutheran in La Crosse, Wisconsin. This Part One conversation highlights breast cancer treatment, focusing on sentinel lymph node biopsy and the decision-making process for prophylactic mastectomy. Tune in for Dr. …
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E22: Technology Disruptors in Rural Medicine with Dan Leman - Part 2
35:33
35:33
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35:33In this Part Two episode, host Dr. Randy Lehman returns with PA Dan Leman—who flips the script and takes on the role of interviewer! Together, they explore the balance between technological resources and human connection, the complexities of ethical decision-making, and the role of humility in a surgeon’s journey. Don’t miss this insightful convers…
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E21: Technology Disruptors in Rural Medicine with Dan Leman - Part 1
33:21
33:21
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33:21Host Dr. Randy Lehman welcomes Dan Leman, a Physician Assistant with a notable background in telehealth innovation. Together, they explore the transformative role of telehealth technology in rural healthcare, highlighting Dan's pioneering work in developing remote medical solutions for underserved communities. The conversation also delves into the …
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E20: Mohs Surgery and Skin Grafts with Dr. Konstantin Grigoryan
49:49
49:49
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49:49Host Dr. Randy Lehman welcomes Dr. Konstantin Grigoryan, dermatologist and Mohs surgeon, to uncover his unique journey toward becoming a surgeon and explore the intricacies of skin cancer management. With skin cancer being a prevalent challenge in rural surgery settings, Dr. Grigoryan highlights the precision and benefits of the Mohs technique. Whe…
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E19: General Surgery in the Last Frontier with Dr. Shannon Gulley
45:48
45:48
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45:48Host Dr. Randy Lehman welcomes Dr. Shannon Gulley, a seasoned general surgeon with 20 years in practice, including the last decade operating in Alaska. She shares practical insights on personal finances as well as codes and modifiers, with an overall emphasis on maximizing your efforts and your income as a surgeon. With experience both as an employ…
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E18: Evolution of the North American Rural Surgical Society
8:17
8:17
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8:17Looking ahead to the upcoming NARSS conference on January 17-18 in Denver, Dr. Randy Lehman explores the pivotal role of the North American Rural Surgical Society in supporting rural surgeons. He delves into the society's rich history and traces its evolution from the Northern Plains Vascular Society to its current form. He shares his personal expe…
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E17: Robotic Ventral Hernia Repair with Dr. Jeremy Stoller
43:37
43:37
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43:37Host Dr. Randy Lehman welcomes Dr. Jeremy "Bud" Stoller, a distinguished rural surgeon from Van Wert, Ohio. Known for his expertise in hernia repair and his commitment to rural healthcare, Dr. Stoller shares his journey from training at The Ohio State University and the University of Toledo to practicing in his hometown. Dr. Stoller details his app…
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E16: Big Impact in Small Town Family Medicine with Dr. Tod Stillson
46:28
46:28
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46:28Host Dr. Randy Lehman and Dr. Tod Stillson have a heartwarming conversation about the importance of transparency and trust when it comes to small town healthcare–especially in family medicine when you have the opportunity to serve families through many stages of life. In addition to discussing the impact of closing obstetrics units in rural hospita…
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E15: Rural Surgery Research with Dr. Dorothy Hughes
27:45
27:45
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27:45As part of this new miniseries, "The Children of Rural Surgeons," host Dr. Randy Lehman welcomes Dr. Dorothy Hughes, daughter of esteemed rural surgeon, Dr. Tyler Hughes. Their conversation delves into her experiences growing up with a small-town surgeon for a father and how that impacted her upbringing. And ultimately, how Dr. Dorothy Hughes came …
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E14: "My Dad's a Rural Surgeon!" with Charlotte Lehman
9:53
9:53
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9:53In this heartfelt episode, Dr. Randy Lehman is joined by two very special guests, his daughter Charlotte and a surprise appearance by his wife, Brittaney. Together they reflect on the demanding days of residency in Minnesota, and how the transition to rural practice in Indiana has impacted their family life and balance. Charlotte describes her dad’…
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E13: GI Bleeds in Rural Canada with Dr. Emily Mitic
43:58
43:58
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43:58Explore surgical care in rural Canada through the perspective of host Dr. Randy Lehman as he sits down with Canadian general surgeon, Dr. Emily Mitic. Dr. Mitic is dedicated to serving rural Alberta, practicing in a small city uniquely positioned between two major urban centers, which means her hospital serves a greater population of about 425,000 …
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E12: From Residency to Rural with Dr. Ben Mundell
45:30
45:30
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45:30Host Dr. Randy Lehman sits down with Dr. Ben Mundell, a newly minted general surgeon carving out his path in the Eastern Sierras of California. Together they discuss what it takes to thrive as a rural surgeon, especially in those crucial early months out of residency. Tune in for practical advice, invaluable insights, and must-know resources for ma…
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E11: The Value of Surgical Mentorship with Dr. Eugene Shively
1:08:11
1:08:11
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1:08:11Host Dr. Randy Lehman sits down with friend, mentor, and "godfather" of rural surgery, Dr. Eugene Shively to discuss his impressive 46-year career. From the comfort of Dr. Shively's 200-year-old cabin (listen for the full story!), the two discuss the evolution of surgical techniques, Dr. Shively's approach to common bile duct exploration, and inval…
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E10: Purpose, Practicing, and Publishing with Dr. Michael Sarap
42:18
42:18
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42:18In part two of their conversation, Dr. Randy Lehman welcomes back Dr. Michael Sarap to dive deeper into his 37 years as a rural surgeon. Building on their earlier insights into financial strategies for young surgeons, Dr. Sarap shares intense and captivating stories from rural practice. Listeners will come away inspired and equipped with resources …
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E09: Laparoscopic Surgery Insights with Dr. Michael Sarap
1:00:04
1:00:04
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1:00:04In this episode, host Dr. Randy Lehman sits down with Dr. Michael Sarap, a seasoned rural surgeon with 37 years of experience. Dr. Sarap shares the rewards and challenges of his career, offering invaluable insights into building a successful rural surgery practice. From mastering advanced endoscopic techniques to performing complex procedures like …
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E08: Rural Robotic Revolution with Dr. John Robertson
50:50
50:50
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50:50In this episode, host Dr. Randy Lehman sits down with Dr. John Robertson, who started his medical career in the big city before transitioning to rural surgery. Dr. Robertson delves into his “modified plug and patch” technique for inguinal hernia repair and his embrace of robotics in the OR, offering valuable insights for both urban and rural practi…
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E07: Managing Complex Wound Care with Dr. Stephanie Heller
1:03:03
1:03:03
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1:03:03In this episode, Dr. Randy Lehman reunites with his former program director at Mayo Clinic, the accomplished and beloved Dr. Stephanie Heller. Together they discuss Dr. Heller's wealth of experience, from navigating career transitions to mastering complex procedures like skin grafting and managing fistulas. Listen for insights on optimizing wound c…
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E06: PAs and the Power of Collaborative Care
59:26
59:26
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59:26Join us in a special location as your host, Dr. Randy Lehman, sits down with Wisconsin PA Jerry Fushianes to discuss how Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners strengthen rural practices. Discover more about the Associate Provider model, where PAs are trained to duplicate physician services across specialties, acting as a conduit between doct…
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E05: Mastering the Right Colectomy with Dr. Chris Huiras
39:43
39:43
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39:43In this episode, host Dr. Randy Lehman is joined by Dr. Chris Huiras, a general surgeon who has dedicated over 30 years to providing care at Mayo Clinic as well as in rural Wisconsin. In addition to some great stories, Dr. Huiras shares a detailed overview of how he performs a right colectomy. Listen as Dr. Huiras' passion shines through, not just …
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E04: Training the Next Generation of Surgeons with Dr. David Farley
1:09:58
1:09:58
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1:09:58In this episode, host Dr. Randy Lehman sits down with former Mayo Clinic program director Dr. David Farley, who offers expertise as a seasoned and respected mentor to hundreds of surgeons. From his rural Wisconsin upbringing to his 31 years of training residents, Dr. Farley shares insights on mastering techniques like TEP inguinal hernia repair and…
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E03: Navigating Global Rural Surgery with Dr. Lauren Smithson
58:07
58:07
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58:07In this episode, Dr. Lauren Smithson, the Chair of the Advisory Council for Rural Surgery, shares her journey from the Caribbean to the UK to rural Canada, providing valuable insights to those eager to pursue a career in rural surgery. Host Dr. Randy Lehman and Dr. Smithson discuss her wide-ranging scope of work, from complex breast cancer operatio…
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E02: Trailblazing Rural Surgery with Dr. Tyler Hughes
1:07:55
1:07:55
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1:07:55Few understand the wonders and challenges of rural surgery as acutely as the respected Dr. Tyler Hughes. In this episode, host Dr. Randy Lehman sits down with Dr. Hughes to discuss insights and anecdotes from his remarkable career. From being named the first Rural Practitioner of the Year to his instrumental involvement in the American College of S…
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In this introductory episode, Dr. Randy Lehman highlights the unique challenges and rewarding moments that come with practicing surgery in rural America. Tune in and join the community, where each week we'll discuss topics pertinent to the healthcare providers of America’s heartland. Key Topics: [0:00] Intro [3:58] Upcoming segments and episodes [7…
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This is your sneak peek into the world of rural surgery, where we celebrate the profound connections and unique experiences that define this vital field. In the upcoming episodes, we'll feature intimate conversations with leading rural surgeons, breaking down surgical techniques, and shedding light on the challenges faced by those practicing in iso…
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