Our Work
Direct Intervention
We design and deliver practical, evidence-based interventions that improve wellbeing in real-world surgical environments.
Enhanced Stress Resilience Training (ESRT)
A structured cognitive skills program designed specifically for surgeons to build resilience and manage stress in high-stakes environments. ESRT has been developed and refined through research with surgeons, physicians, nurses, and other professionals working in high-pressure environments. Delivered as a hybrid course, ESRT combines experiential learning with longitudinal support, including ongoing access to practice tools, structured curriculum, and a digital platform that supports engagement and program evaluation.
ESRT is supported by a dedicated digital platform (ESRT StrongMind), enabling guided practice, progress tracking, and scalable program delivery across institutions.
Human-Centered Solutions Design
We apply human-centered design principles to develop wellbeing interventions that are practical, acceptable, and scalable within complex surgical environments. By engaging frontline clinicians in the design process, we ensure solutions are grounded in real workflows and needs. This approach enables rapid iteration and successful implementation across institutions.
Emerging Initiatives
Mission Command Transformational Leadership Training
Adapted from high-reliability organizations, this program focuses on leadership under pressure, team communication, and decentralized decision-making. It equips surgical leaders with practical frameworks to improve team performance, resilience, and wellbeing in complex clinical environments. The program has been implemented internationally, including in NHS settings, and has trained over 320 surgical trainees and 80 faculty and healthcare leaders.
Coaching in Surgical Teams
Developing models to integrate coaching within surgical teams, providing individualized support for stress management, performance, and professional development.
Surgical Ergonomics
Exploring the impact of physical strain and operating room design on surgeon wellbeing, with the goal of reducing injury, fatigue, and long-term health risks.
Community
To build a collaborative surgical community across specialties, institutions, and the career stages to reflect broad and varied wellbeing needs.
WISe Inaugural Conference 2025
An immersive, multidisciplinary event focused on advancing the science and practice of surgical wellbeing. It brings together surgeons, trainees, researchers, and leaders to share emerging research, explore evidence-based interventions such as ESRT, and foster collaboration across institutions. The conference emphasizes practical skill-building, implementation strategies, and the translation of resilience science into real-world surgical environments, while also creating space for community-building and cross-disciplinary dialogue.
Emerging Initiatives
Wellbeing in Surgery Annual Retreat
An immersive, smaller-format gathering designed to deepen engagement, foster collaboration, and support strategic planning. The retreat will provide space for reflection, skill-building, and the development of new initiatives within the WISe community.
Scholarship
To lead high-quality research, develop, and operationalize strategies to implement acceptable and sustainable wellbeing interventions.
ACS Surgeon Wellbeing Survey 2024
A national effort in partnership with the American College of Surgeons to assess surgeon wellbeing, identify key drivers of burnout, and inform system-level interventions.
Enhanced Stress Resilience Training (ESRT)
Randomized and longitudinal studies across multiple populations have been done to study the impact of ESRT on stress, wellbeing, and professional outcomes. This work spans surgeons, ICU nurses, medical students, and surgical trainees, demonstrating both effectiveness in high-intensity clinical environments and adaptability across training stages, while identifying key stress points and opportunities for targeted intervention.
“Unicorn Clinic”
In partnership with the LEFO Institute (Norway), this initiative explores innovative surgical care models designed to improve both provider wellbeing and patient outcomes through system redesign.
Emerging Projects
Lions in Surgery
This developing project explores how surgeon leaders, mentors, and high achievers navigate chronic stress and burnout over the course of their careers. By identifying common behaviors, traits, and perspectives, the study aims to uncover key drivers of resilience and foster a greater sense of connection, purpose, and sustainability in surgical practice.
Advocacy
To empower surgeons and surgical leadership to affect change on all levels. Our goal is to translate research and implementation into broader impact by shaping systems, influencing policy, and empowering leaders.
Society for Wellbeing in Surgery
A formal society in development to unify the field, establish best practices, and serve as a central platform for collaboration, education, and advocacy.