Dr. Jason Ko: Leveling Up Orthoplastics – Recorded Live at PSTM 2024
Release Date: 10/21/2024
Dr. Kevin Chung: "The Anatomy of a Calling” – A “Giants in Plastic Surgery” Interview
PRS Global Open Deep Cuts
In this "Giants in Plastic Surgery" episode of the PRS Global Open Deep Cuts Podcast, recorded live at PSTM 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana, we sat down Dr. Kevin C. Chung, one of the most influential figures in modern plastic and hand surgery. Dr. Chung is the William C. Grabb Distinguished University Professor of Surgery and the Charles B. G. De Nancrede Professor of Surgery at the University of Michigan. A globally respected surgeon-scientist, he has authored more than 850 peer-reviewed papers, 600 book chapters, and 41 textbooks, and served as the 7th Editor-in-Chief of Plastic and...
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Dr. Tormod Westvik: Leveling Up a Diverse Practice
PRS Global Open Deep Cuts
In this Leveling Up episode of the PRS Global Open Deep Cuts Podcast, Dr. Tormod Westvik talked about his diverse journey through the world of plastic surgery—from navigating residency training programs in America, Norway, and Australia to balancing algorithmic decision-making with highly individualized patient care. He shares why returning to first principles is essential in every clinical encounter, how serving as Section Editor for Case Reports in PRS Global Open has reshaped his surgical thinking, and the leadership lessons he carries forward from his mentors. Dr. Westvik also offers a...
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Prof. Venkat Ramakrishnan: "Unstitched—A Story across Continents and Generations"– A “Giants in Plastic Surgery” Interview
PRS Global Open Deep Cuts
In this "Giants in Plastic Surgery" episode of the PRS Global Open Deep Cuts Podcast, we sit down with Professor Venkat Ramakrishnan, a globally respected plastic and reconstructive surgeon with over four decades of experience. Known for his pioneering work in microsurgical breast reconstruction, Prof. Ramakrishnan has performed more than 1,500 DIEP and TUG flap procedures and currently leads the Breast Reconstruction Service at the renowned St. Andrew’s Centre for Plastic Surgery and Burns in Chelmsford, UK. His private practice spans Brentwood and Southend-on-Sea, and he continues...
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Drs. David Chwei-Chin Chuang and Jing Qin Tay: Leveling Up Complex Nerve Reconstruction- Recorded Live at PSTM 2025
PRS Global Open Deep Cuts
In this Leveling Up episode of the PRS Global Open Deep Cuts Podcast, recorded live at PSTM 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana, Dr. David Chwei-Chin Chuang discussed his career in nerve surgery, the importance of accurate diagnosis in brachial plexus reconstruction, and how he goes about documenting his evaluations and his surgeries, how he treats patients with aberrant motor reinnervation and synkinesis in the face and upper extremity, his approach to counseling patients before these complex surgeries, how to prevent burnout, and the future of nerve surgery. Dr. Chuang was joined by his nerve...
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Dr. Steven Williams: "Sculpting History”– A “Giants in Plastic Surgery” Interview
PRS Global Open Deep Cuts
In this "Giants in Plastic Surgery" episode of the PRS Global Open Deep Cuts Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Steven Williams for an inspiring and candid conversation that goes beyond the surface of success. We dive into the moments that shaped his journey — from battling imposter syndrome to finding his calling in plastic surgery, and from his experiences at Yale University to building a technology company while still in residency. Dr. Williams reflects on the lessons learned along the way, the influences that guided him, what it means to lead as president of the American Society of Plastic...
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Dr. Jesse Selber: "Robot Hands, Human Vision” – A “Giants in Plastic Surgery” Interview
PRS Global Open Deep Cuts
In this "Giants in Plastic Surgery" episode of the PRS Global Open Deep Cuts Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Jesse Selber, a trailblazer in plastic surgery and a bold leader shaping the future of healthcare. With a career that spans cutting-edge clinical innovation, high-impact leadership, and groundbreaking surgical achievements, including the world’s first robotic plastic surgery program and a historic multi-organ transplant. Dr. Selber offers a rare perspective at the intersection of medicine, technology, and strategy. Currently serving as Interim Chief Medical Officer and Chief of...
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Dr. Hari Venkatramani: "Precision, Passion & Purpose" – A “Giants in Plastic Surgery” Interview
PRS Global Open Deep Cuts
In this "Giants in Plastic Surgery" episode of the PRS Global Open Deep Cuts Podcast, Dr. Hari Venkatramani, one of India's foremost plastic and reconstructive surgeons, uncovers the human story behind the scalpel. From growing up in various cities due to his father’s career as an air marshal, to the formative lessons that shaped his resilience and adaptability, Dr. Venkatramani reflects on how early experiences have guided his professional journey. He opens up about what initially drew him to the intricate world of plastic surgery, the personal joys he finds in the operating room, and the...
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Dr. Ash Patel: Leveling Up Emotional Intelligence
PRS Global Open Deep Cuts
In this Leveling Up episode of the PRS Global Open Deep Cuts Podcast, Dr. Ash Patel shares how emotional intelligence transforms surgery—improving patient care, teamwork, and decision-making—plus his approach to impactful academic research, balancing personal and professional goals, the power of diversity to drive innovation, surgical techniques including pectoralis and gracilis muscle flaps, career-shaping mentors, and an unexpected claim to fame outside the world of plastic surgery. Read a recent PRS Global Open article by Dr. Patel and colleagues, “Navigating the Ethical Landmines of...
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Dr. Alison Snyder-Warwick: Leveling Up the Future of Peripheral Nerve Surgery
PRS Global Open Deep Cuts
In this Leveling Up episode of the PRS Global Open Deep Cuts Podcast, Dr. Snyder-Warwick discussed her recent transition from Wash U to Michigan and how she has handled the switch, the philosophy of time, distance and severity when dealing with nerve injuries, the changes she has made over the years in her facial reanimation and peripheral nerve surgery practices, the relatively new field of corneal neurotization, the importance of personalizing the treatment of facial paralysis to each patient, the usefulness of buccal myomucosal flaps in cleft palate repair, how she involves residents in the...
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Dr. Galen Perdikis: Leveling Up the Pyramid of Surgical Skill
PRS Global Open Deep Cuts
In this Leveling Up episode of the PRS Global Open Deep Cuts Podcast, Dr. Galen Perdikis discusses the growth that Vanderbilt's plastic surgery department and residency program have experienced over the last decade, the importance of specialized service lines to achieve the best patient care as well as resident education, the benefits of advanced practice providers in creating institutional memory, how he has built cross-departmental teams at Vanderbilt, what he means by “team-based capitalism” and how this approach has created a strong sense of teamwork in his faculty. He also discusses...
info_outlineIn this Leveling Up episode of the PRS Global Open Deep Cuts Podcast, Recorded Live at PSTM 2024 in San Diego, CA, Dr. Jason Ko discussed the history of targeted muscle reinnervation, how his approach to TMR has changed over time, the ins and outs of dissecting and coapting nerves, the indications and technical nuances of thoracic outlet syndrome, why preparing for a case and studying anatomy helps students and trainees get the most out of every case, his own approach to preparing for big cases, why pinning in hand surgery can make even the best surgeons look bad, and his top picks from 90s hip hop.
Read a recent classic PRS Global Open article by Dr. Ko and co-authors, “Management of Superficial and Deep Peroneal Nerve Neuromas with Targeted Muscle Reinnervation in Nonamputees: Operative Technique and Early Outcomes”: https://bit.ly/DeepPeronealTMR
Dr. Jason Ko is a professor of plastic surgery with an additional appointment in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
He Duke University School of Medicine and then completed his plastic surgery training at Northwestern University under the tutelage of Dr. Gregory Dumanian. Dr. Ko went on to complete a hand and microvascular surgery fellowship at the University of Washington in Seattle, after which he spent additional time at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan as well as the University of Tokyo. He joined the faculty at the University of Washington in 2012 and was then recruited back to Northwestern in 2016 where he is currently the Program Director of the plastic surgery residency program. He received his MBA from Northwestern's Kellogg School in 2019, and he has since become the Vice Chair of Clinical Operations for the Department of Surgery at Northwestern and is involved with numerous administrative roles within the hospital and health system. He has served as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Hand Surgery American, and he is currently the Research Director for the Journal of Orthoplastic Surgery. He is also the Co-Program Chair for the upcoming AAPS Annual Meeting—along with Dr. John Kim. Dr. Ko has a practice focused on brachial plexus and peripheral nerve surgery, vascularized bone, upper and lower extremity reconstruction, amputee care and TMR.
Your host, Dr. Puru Nagarkar, is a board-certified plastic and hand surgeon, and Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.
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