Surgeons with Purpose

Learn more about Love and Science Fertility here.
Learn more about the Norway retreat here. Get on my calendar for an interview for a spot here.
Join Empowerd Surgeons here.
Infertility is shaping the lives of female physicians, and we need to talk about it.
Dr. Erica Bove, creator of Love and Science, shares the startling fact that 1 in 4 female physicians and 1 in 3 female surgeons experience infertility. Interestingly, the very mindset that makes us successful in surgery can work against us when it comes to building a family.
We explore the hidden role of stress, trauma, and nervous system dysregulation, and the trap so many physicians fall into: trying to solve infertility by working harder, researching more, and disconnecting from their own bodies.
Dr. Bove offers a radically different approach, one that begins with humanity.
We talk about:
Why going on a certainty frenzy doesn't solve the problem
How trauma states impact fertility physiology
The courage it takes to receive care, not just give and give
Reconnecting with your deepest “why”
Boundaries, community, and learning to say: I deserve to be a patient

This is not just a conversation about fertility, it’s about reclaiming your humanity in a system that taught you to override it.
Erica Bove, MD, is a double board certified OB-GYN and Reproductive Endocrinologist (REI) physician at the University of Vermont, She is also the CEO and founder of Love and Science: Thriving Through Infertility. She has a keen interest in marrying an evidence-based approach with intuitive knowing in the context of a trusting relationship. She empowers women physicians to build their families with confidence, self compassion and community. Her mission is to heal and support the healers and to create a legacy she is proud of.
In her free time, she enjoys running, yoga, kayaking, skiing, reading, writing, and spending time with her inner circle.
Follow her on Linkedin here, IG here, FB here, and check out her podcast, Love and Science Fertility here.

Surgeons, join us inside Empowered Surgeons Group today.
In this episode, Dr. Karen Leitner and I explore the hidden thought patterns that keep women physicians stuck. And how to break free!
We cover:
Why charting paralysis happens (and the thought loops that drive it)
Being diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) later in life and the shift from self-judgment to self-understanding
The power of acceptance and letting go of control over outcomes
The moment Karen realized even “good doctors” get sued
How medical training builds a hypercritical inner voice (and how to replace it with self-compassion)
Moving from walking a tightrope → to feeling solid and safe within yourself
The reality of inequity: women physicians being undervalued and underpaid
Lessons from Women Don’t Ask on why women avoid negotiation
The mindset shifts needed to negotiate powerfully:
Your value is yours—even if others don’t recognize it
Hearing “no” is part of the process, not the end
Discomfort is the price of increasing your impact and income
Practical negotiation strategies:
Research compensation (e.g., Medical Group Management Association data)
Communicate your value from the institution’s perspective
Have the conversation in person and set expectations ahead of time
Anticipate objections and stay in the conversation

Key takeaway:
Money = impact. When you are compensated appropriately, you expand your ability to create change.
Ready to go deeper?
If you’re a woman physician looking to feel better, think clearer, and show up more powerfully in your life and career, check out Dr. Karen Leitner's coaching program here. Make sure to follow her on Instagram here.
And if you’re a surgeon ready to step out of burnout and lead your career from a place of confidence and ownership, join Empowered Surgeons. You don’t have to keep doing this alone.

Interested in our retreat to Norway? Get on my calendar for an interview here.
What does it really take to survive and succeed in a system that wasn’t built with you in mind?
In this episode, I explore that question with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Sonya Sloan. We talk about the hidden curriculum of medicine: the unspoken rules, the power dynamics, and the strategies required to navigate surgical training, especially as a Black woman in a historically white, male-dominated field.
From early inspiration in the operating room to enduring microaggressions, bullying, and even physical assault during training, Dr. Sloan shares what she learned, how she protected herself, and why resilience alone is not enough.
This episode is not just about survival; it’s about strategy, leadership, and rewriting the rules for the next generation.
We talk about:
How her early experiences sparked a career in orthopedics
What it was like being one of the only Black trainees in a surgical program
The reality of bias, microaggressions, and exclusion in medicine
The difference between mentors and true advocates
A moment of physical assault in the OR, and how she handled it
Why documentation and strategy are essential for protecting your career
The hidden “rules” of medicine no one teaches you
How surgical culture impacts women
The critical importance of leadership and communication skills
Why “soft skills” are not optional but essential
How humor and tone-setting can transform the OR environment
The emotional toll of training, and the importance of narrative processing
Why so many trainees feel isolated, targeted, or unsupported
What needs to change in surgical education right now

Takeaways:
Resilience isn’t enough. You need strategy, awareness, and support
Documentation is power in environments where bias exists
Mentors advise. Advocates act. You need both.
Microaggressions shape careers, even when they seem subtle
Leadership skills are not taught, but they are critical to survival
You don’t have to silently tolerate inappropriate behavior
Processing your story is part of healing and reclaiming your voice

Learn more about Dr. Sonya Sloan and get her book, The Rules of Medicine here.
Follow Dr. Sloan on instagram here.
Check out Hardball for Women here.
Check out White Fragility here.
Join us inside Empowered Surgeons Group here.

Join Empowered Surgeons Group here.
Learn more about what's inside ESG here.
In the perfectionist surgeon's mind, either we get a perfect outcome or we fail. But in the realm of humans, perfection is impossible. And we don't always have full control over the final surgical result.
Instead of thinking in terms of surgical "success" and surgical "failure", what would it look like to categorize circumstances into mistakes, complications, and missed expectations? That's what I explore inside this episode.

What does it mean to stay grounded in your identity and your humanity inside a system that often asks you to override both?
In this episode, orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Brian Nwannunu, shares his journey from being the son of Nigerian immigrants to building a career in surgery rooted in purpose, faith, and service. Brian knew from a young age that he was called to medicine, but his path wasn’t linear. After not getting into medical school on his first attempt, he pursued a master’s in physiology, eventually gaining admission and thriving - reinforcing a powerful truth: test scores don’t define clinical excellence or future success.
We talk about the realities of surgical training, where Brian faced criticism, microaggressions, and the pressure of being one of the only Black residents in his program. Despite external narratives that questioned his performance, he had objective evidence of his excellence and mentors who helped him stay grounded. His story highlights the disconnect that can exist between perception and reality in training environments, and the lasting impact of bias, labeling, and unequal protection among trainees.
Brian shares how these experiences shaped the way he practices today. As an attending, he’s intentional about bringing humanity back into orthopedic surgery: slowing down, listening deeply, and recognizing that every surgery affects not just a patient, but an entire life system. We also explore the difference between operating from service versus ego, and how that distinction changes both outcomes and fulfillment.
The conversation expands into the broader realities of modern medicine: insurance barriers, loss of autonomy, and the growing influence of private equity. Brian explains why he chose private practice, why physicians need an exit strategy, and how models like direct care may shape the future of certain specialties.
Finally, we talk about identity beyond medicine. Brian shares how he’s diversified his life through teaching, speaking, and financial literacy, which all creates a sense of purpose and stability that extends beyond the OR.
This is a conversation about resilience, integrity, and choosing how you want to practice, both as a surgeon and as a human being.
Follow Dr. Brian Nwannunu on instagram here.
Join us inside Empowered Surgeons Group here.