Ep. 64 - Is It OK to Say No?
Gut Check
Join our hosts for a candid conversation about one of the hardest—but most powerful—words to say: no. In a world full of opportunities, requests, and expectations, how do professionals protect their time without closing doors? This episode dives into the real-life challenge of setting boundaries, weighing what to say yes to, and recognizing your value when new commitments come your way. The hosts share personal insights and practical tips on how to turn down asks with confidence—and kindness—while staying true to what matters most.
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Ep. 63 - Gut Check Live in San Diego!
Gut Check
In this special live-recorded episode of Gut Check, your favorite hosts return to the mic from the ASCRS Annual Meeting in San Diego. Recorded in front of a live audience for the second year in a row, this episode captures unscripted Q&A with attendees, reflections on standout sessions, and personal highlights from this year’s meeting. The conversation spans everything from regional society meetings to the complexities of operating on friends and family members. Plus, former Gut Check host Avery Walker drops by and shares a few insights of his own. Enjoy this fun, candid, and...
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Ep. 62 - Contributions of Minorities in Colorectal Surgery with Dr. Moises Jacobs
Gut Check
In this episode, Gut Check hosts sit down with Dr. Moises Jacobs—world-renowned laparoscopic surgery pioneer in Miami, FL. Dr. Jacobs shares his journey from medical school at the University of Miami to becoming a trailblazer in bariatric and colorectal surgery. Dr. Jacobs reflects on the challenges and triumphs of being a minority surgeon, and opens up about challenges of losing a patient.
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Ep. 61 - The Health and Wellness of a Colorectal Surgeon
Gut Check
In this candid episode, join our hosts as they tackle the critical topic of health, wellness, and burnout in surgery. Drawing from their own personal experiences, they share the practical strategies they use to maintain balance, build resilience, and foster joy both in and out of the operating room. But this conversation goes beyond coping mechanisms. Our hosts dive deep into the root causes of stress in the surgical profession and explore what it means to proactively design healthier, happier workplaces. They discuss how shifting the focus from individual stress management to...
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Ep. 60 - Family Planning and Work-Life Integration
Gut Check
Join Biddy, Meghana and Alexis as they discuss the complexities of family planning and maintaining a healthy work-life balance within a demanding surgical career. From planning for parental leave and fertility preservation during pivotal career moments to carving out space for family, social connection, and personal renewal, this conversation explores what it means to show up fully in every role. With the recognition that real support matters, we’re also proud to offer on-site childcare at this year’s ASCRS Annual Scientific Meeting—part of a growing effort to make our professional...
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Ep. 59 - Behind the Scenes of the 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting
Gut Check
Get an inside look at the planning of the 2025 ASCRS Annual Scientific Meeting in San Diego! In this episode, the hosts sit down with the Program Committee to discuss how they’re shaping an innovative and engaging experience for attendees. From cutting-edge AI-focused sessions to the introduction of on-site child care—a first for ASCRS!—this year’s meeting is designed to be more accessible and enriching than ever. San Diego is the perfect backdrop for both professional growth and family fun, with kid-friendly attractions and incredible dining just steps away from the meeting....
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Ep. 58 - The Specialty’s Next Leap Forward
Gut Check
ASCRS Past President and Chair of the 125th Anniversary Campaign Steering Committee, Dr. Matthew Mutch, and ASCRS President, Dr. Sonia Ramamoorthy, join Gut Check for a special episode highlighting how we are paving the way for the future of colorectal surgery. Together, we explore how the 125th Anniversary Campaign will drive growth in education, research, and career development—ensuring the specialty continues to evolve, thrive, and improve patient care. They’ll answer your questions about the campaign’s purpose, vision, and how every contribution makes a difference. ...
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Ep. 57 - ASCRS QI Fistula Collaborative with Dr. Julia Saraidaridis and Dr. Bob Hollis
Gut Check
In this episode, we spotlight the ASCRS QI Fistula Collaborative, an initiative dedicated to improving outcomes for patients with complex fistulas. Dr. Julia Saraidaridis and Dr. Bob Hollis share their insights on the importance of data collection and discuss the collaborative's mission to advance fistula care through shared knowledge and research. They also highlight the critical need for more participants, inviting colorectal surgeons to join the effort and contribute to this project. If you’re interested in joining the project, reach out to Dr. Bob Hollis at .
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Ep. 56 - Clinical Practice Guidelines with Dr. Wolfgang Gaertner
Gut Check
In this episode, the hosts sit down with Dr. Wolfgang Gaertner, Chair of the ASCRS Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) Committee, for an insider's look at how the gold standard in colorectal care is set. Dr. Gaertner takes us behind the scenes of the rigorous process of writing and reviewing CPGs, from synthesizing the latest evidence to ensuring recommendations meet the highest standards of clarity and relevance.
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Ep. 55 - Navigating Career Transitions
Gut Check
From navigating fellowship to the realities of private practice ownership, this episode offers valuable insights for residents, early-career surgeons, and anyone considering a shift in their surgical practice. Whether you're looking for guidance on career decision-making, insights into private practice, or simply reassurance that you're not alone in this process, this episode provides practical advice and inspiration for every stage of the colorectal surgery journey.
info_outlineIs HRA a good approach to anal cancer screening? Join Alex, Avery, Biddy, Erin, Jon and Sam as they share their own case studies and perspectives regarding anal cancer screening and the use of HRA.
OUR CO-HOSTS
Alex Jenny Ky, MD, FACS, FASCRS
New York, NY
Dr. Ky has been in practice for 22 years and is one of the busiest surgeons in her hospital. She is a former president of the New York Colon and Rectal Society and currently serves as president-elect of the Chinese American Medical Society. Married for 29 years, she is the proud mom of 3 children and in her spare time she enjoys playing golf and squash.
Avery Walker, MD, FACS, FASCRS
El Paso, TX
Avery Walker is dually board-certified in General Surgery and Colorectal Surgery. He earned his medical degree at the University of Illinois in Chicago, his General Surgery residency at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington, and his Fellowship in Colon and Rectal Surgery at The Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans. A former active-duty officer in the United States Army, Dr. Walker served 13 years as a general and colorectal surgeon with his most recent duty station in El Paso, TX at William Beaumont Army Medical Center. While there he was the Chief of Colon and Rectal surgery as well as the Assistant Program Director for the general surgery residency program. He currently practices colon and rectal surgery at The Hospitals of Providence in El Paso, TX. Dr. Avery Walker is married and has two daughters aged 13 and 9.
Biddy Das, MD, FACS
Houston, TX (Twitter @BiddyDas)
Dr. Bidhan “Biddy” Das has board certifications for both colon and rectal surgery, and general surgery. His passion for medical education and medical process improvement has resulted in book chapters and publications, and national and regional presentations on those subjects. Highlighting his medical expertise on fecal incontinence, he has been featured on patient education videos and national and international television and radio as a featured expert on these colorectal conditions. Dr Das also has a particular interest in surgeons redefining their careers -- he serves as both a software consultant and private equity consultant in Boston, New York City, and Houston.
Erin King-Mullins, MD, FACS, FASCRS
Atlanta, GA (Twitter @eking719)
Dr. Erin King-Mullins is a double board-certified general and colorectal surgeon. She graduated summa cum laude from Xavier University of Louisiana. After obtaining her medical degree at Emory University in Atlanta, she completed her internship and residency in general surgery at the Orlando Regional Medical Center in Florida. Her fellowship training in colorectal surgery at Georgia Colon & Rectal Surgical Associates concluded with her joining the practice and serving as Faculty/Research Director for the fellowship program until her transition into private practice with Colorectal Wellness Center. She has a husband with whom she shares an amazing, blended family of 4 daughters. The kids keep them pretty busy, but their favorite times are spent on warm sunny beaches.
Jonathan Abelson, MD, MS
Arlington, MA (Twitter @jabelsonmd)
Dr. Abelson was born and raised in Scarsdale, New York in the suburbs of New York City. He has 2 older brothers and both of his parents are dentists. Dr. Abelson went to college at University Pennsylvania, took 2 years off between college and medical school to work in healthcare consulting. He then went to medical school at University of Virginia, returned to New York for general surgery residency at Weill Cornell on the upper east side of Manhattan. Dr. Abelson then did colorectal fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis and am now at Lahey clinic in Burlington, Massachusetts for my first job after training. He is 2 years into practice and has a wife and two sons. His wife works in wellness consulting and they have a dog named Foster who we adopted in St. Louis.
Sam Eisenstein, MD
La Jolla, CA (Twitter @DrE_UCSD)
Sam Eisenstein is an Assistant Professor of Colon and rectal surgery and director of Inflammatory Bowel Disease surgery at UC San Diego Health. He has worked there for the past 8 years after graduating both residency and fellowship at The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. Sam is best known as the founder and organizer of the IBD-NSQIP collaborative, a large multi institutional data collaborative examining outcomes after IBD surgery, but he also is involved in several clinical trials for perianal Crohn’s and has extensive experience with stem cell injections for anal fistulae. He is also on the scientific advisory board for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation for his work on the next big IBD data collaborative, IBD-SIRQC (Surgical Innovation, Research and Quality Collaborative). Sam has a Wife and 3 kids (6,8, and 3) and spends most of his free time running around after them these days, but also enjoys traveling and getting out into nature with his family.