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What happens when being a surgeon becomes so central to your identity that losing it feels like losing yourself? In this episode of FEM, MD, Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with ENT surgeon, coach, and author Dr. Mel Thacker to discuss her new memoir, Scrubbing In: A Surgeon’s Journey from Self-Doubt to Wholeness. Mel shares the deeply personal story behind the book, from a childhood shaped by trauma and instability to medical training, private practice, and eventually experiencing panic attacks while operating. She explains how she came to realize that her sense of worth had become inseparable from her identity as a surgeon, and what it took to begin untangling the two. Lauren and Mel also talk about toxic martyrdom in medicine, why surgeons are taught to override their own needs, moral injury, imposter syndrome, rupture and repair, and the strange way surgical culture can reward the ability to ignore the basic realities of being human. They also discuss how writing helped Mel process her past, why she originally wrote the book for her children, and how becoming more whole outside the operating room ultimately changed the way she understood herself inside it. This is a conversation about surgery, identity, ambition, trauma, healing, and what can happen when physicians finally give themselves permission to ask: What do I actually want? Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md Guest: Mel Thacker, MD Connect with Mel: @the_surgeon_coach Scrubbing In available now: https://a.co/d/03CPHRRm Produced by: The Hippocratic Collective See more shows and content at hippocratic-collective.com

What are residency programs actually looking for during interviews? In this episode of FEM, MD, Dr. Lauren Umstattd shares residency interview advice from both sides of the table. She has been a medical student interviewing for residency, a chief resident interviewing applicants, a fellowship candidate, part of the fellowship interview process, and now a business owner who regularly hires for her own practice. Her biggest advice? Once you have made it to the interview, your CV has already gotten you into the room. The interview is about something different: Are you someone they can trust, teach, and work beside at 2 a.m. when things get hard? Lauren breaks down the three qualities she looked for most in residency applicants: calmness, intelligence and resourcefulness, and curiosity. She also covers the biggest residency interview red flags, how to prepare without sounding rehearsed, what questions you should always be ready to answer, why you should never say you have no questions for the program, and how to take some of the pressure out of interview season. Whether you're applying to surgery, medicine, or another residency specialty, this episode offers a candid look at what happens on the other side of the interview table and how to show up as yourself. Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md Produced by: The Hippocratic Collective See more shows and content at hippocratic-collective.com

The biggest threat to a surgeon's career may not be competition, reimbursement, or even the changing healthcare system. It may be their own body and mind. In the final episode of The Business of Surgery, facial plastic surgeon Dr. Lauren Umstattd explores what it takes to build a surgical career that can actually last. For Lauren, that means treating herself like the high-performance athlete she is: protecting her physical health, caring for her mind, and intentionally building systems that make the hardest days sustainable. From 90-second microbreaks in the operating room and surgical ergonomics to sleep, nutrition, coaching, self-regulation, and protecting your relationship with your work, Lauren shares the practices she uses to preserve both her body and her desire to keep operating. In this episode: Why surgeons should think of themselves as high-performance athletesProtecting your neck and spine in the operating roomThe power of 90-second surgical microbreaksImproving surgical ergonomicsWhy sleep and nutrition matter for career longevityProtecting your mental health as a surgeonWhat Lauren learned from working with a surgeon coachUsing curiosity instead of frustrationSelf-regulation in high-stress environmentsBuilding systems and guardrails for difficult daysCreating a surgical career you still want decades from now This is Episode 12 and the finale of The Business of Surgery, a FEM, MD series about what it really takes to build, lead, and sustain a physician-owned surgical practice. Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md Produced by: The Hippocratic Collective See more shows and content at hippocratic-collective.com

What if one of the best investments you could make in your career had nothing to do with your actual business? In Episode 11 of The Business of Surgery, facial plastic surgeon, practice owner, and mom Dr. Lauren Umstattd shares why bringing an au pair into her home became one of the most consequential decisions she made for her business. With two young children and two working parents, reliable childcare didn't just make home life easier—it gave Lauren the security to operate, see patients, and lead her practice without constantly wondering what would happen when school closed or a child got sick. Lauren walks through the entire experience: why a traditional nanny didn't work for their family, how the au pair program works, what it costs, interviewing and choosing someone to live in your home, navigating boundaries, and what she would do differently next time. In this episode: Why childcare is a business issue for working parentsAu pair vs. nannyHow the au pair program worksWhat an au pair actually doesThe cost of hosting an au pairHow Lauren interviewed and selected her au pairManaging childcare with an inflexible physician scheduleThe mental load of being a working motherSetting boundaries with someone who lives in your homeThe unexpected benefits of cultural exchangeWhether Lauren would hire an au pair again The Business of Surgery is a 12-part FEM, MD series exploring the realities of building a physician-owned surgical practice—and the life required to sustain it. Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md Produced by: The Hippocratic Collective See more shows and content at hippocratic-collective.com

How do you manage stress when you're simultaneously a surgeon, business owner, leader, spouse, parent, and person? In Episode 10 of The Business of Surgery, facial plastic surgeon Dr. Lauren Umstattd gets candid about something she is still figuring out herself: stress management. Rather than trying to eliminate stress entirely, Lauren shares the strategies she uses to manage it while building a career she wants to sustain for decades. From compartmentalization and communication to delegation, outsourcing, taking time away, and learning to recognize when stress is changing how you lead, this episode explores what it actually takes to keep all of the plates spinning—without expecting yourself to do it perfectly. In this episode: Managing stress as a physician and business ownerWhy work-life balance may be the wrong goalCompartmentalizing work, family, and personal responsibilitiesCommunicating when your plate is fullManaging the stress of surgical complicationsWhy vacation isn't always truly "off" for a practice ownerDelegating without expecting perfectionRecognizing when stress makes you more controlling or criticalOutsourcing responsibilities at homeCreating space for yourself as a high-achieving physicianBuilding a career for the marathon, not the sprint The Business of Surgery is a 12-part FEM, MD series exploring the realities of building and running a physician-owned surgical practice. Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md Produced by: The Hippocratic Collective See more shows and content at hippocratic-collective.com

What does it actually take to make a surgical practice profitable? In Episode 9 of the Business of Surgery series, Dr. Lauren Umstattd breaks down the decisions that helped her build a profitable practice by year three, and why physicians need to get more comfortable thinking about marketing, money, pricing, and business growth. From starting marketing before she felt ready to niching down her surgical offerings, raising prices, investing in the patient experience, hiring ahead of growth, and paying close attention to the numbers, Lauren shares the strategies that have shaped her practice. She also talks candidly about the uncomfortable side of profitability: talking about money, making major capital purchases, investing in employees, and learning to view your business finances as objective measures of practice health. In this episode: • Why you should start marketing before you feel ready • The business advantage of niching down • Why Lauren stopped performing rhinoplasty • How and when to raise your prices • Why profitability matters for physician career longevity • Investing in the patient experience • Why Lauren hires team members before she thinks she needs them • How to think about your practice's bank account like vital signs • Investing in yourself, your team, and your brand • How to evaluate expensive capital equipment • Why Lauren refuses to discount her services • The case for transparent pricing • Why it's okay to build a practice that looks completely different from the traditional model Building a successful medical practice doesn't require following the path that was already paved. Sometimes, you have to leave the sidewalk and build your own. This is Episode 9 of the 12-part Business of Surgery series on Fem, MD. Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md Produced by: The Hippocratic Collective See more shows and content at hippocratic-collective.com

Running a surgical practice isn't just about patients, procedures, and revenue. It's about people. In Episode 8 of the Business of Surgery series, Dr. Lauren Umstattd talks candidly about one of the hardest parts of owning a practice: hiring, managing, promoting, and sometimes letting people go. She shares lessons from her own mistakes—including realizing that the best candidate for an open position may already be on your team, learning to address performance issues before they become major problems, and understanding when it's time to let someone go. Lauren also gets into the emotional side of personnel management: the guilt that can come with firing someone, the tension between being generous and protecting your business, and why compassionate leadership doesn't mean lowering your standards. In this episode: • Why you should look at your existing team before hiring externally • Why hiring slowly can save you from bigger problems later • How to define expectations before someone starts • When and how to give difficult feedback • Why you shouldn't wait until resentment builds to address performance issues • Planning for employee leave and unexpected changes • The emotional reality of firing and turnover • Why it's okay to let people go • How to treat employees with dignity—even when they're leaving • The lessons Lauren would give herself before opening her practice For physicians building their own practice, personnel management can be one of the most difficult—and most important—parts of the job. This is Episode 8 of the 12-part Business of Surgery series on Fem, MD. Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md Produced by: The Hippocratic Collective See more shows and content at hippocratic-collective.com

When you own a private practice, you're not just the physician. You're also the manager, problem-solver, employer, and sometimes the janitor. In Episode 7 of The Business of Surgery, facial plastic surgeon Dr. Lauren Umstattd tackles one of the hardest transitions for physician entrepreneurs: learning when to delegate. Lauren shares how she went from personally managing nearly every aspect of her practice to gradually handing off responsibilities to a team, and why doing everything yourself can eventually become a barrier to growth. In this episode: What physicians underestimate about running a businessHow to decide what to delegateWhy repeatable tasks should come off your plate firstWhat Lauren still refuses to outsourceDelegating without losing oversightEmpowering employees to make decisionsHow to audit roles as your practice growsWhy one-on-one employee conversations can transform a businessProtecting your time for clinical work, creativity, and growthWhy you can outsource tasks—but not understanding your own practice The Business of Surgery is a 12-part FEM, MD series following the real mechanics of building and running a physician-owned surgical practice. Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md Produced by: The Hippocratic Collective See more shows and content at hippocratic-collective.com

Luxury healthcare isn't about marble countertops or expensive furniture. It's about making every patient feel seen, cared for, and confident—from the first phone call through recovery. In Episode 6 of The Business of Surgery, facial plastic surgeon Dr. Lauren Umstattd shares the philosophy behind creating a premium patient experience. Drawing inspiration from brands like Ritz-Carlton, Hermès, and world-class hospitality, Lauren explains why thoughtful details, genuine human connection, and exceptional follow-through matter more than flashy amenities. Whether you run a medical practice, own a business, or simply want to create a better customer experience, these principles apply far beyond surgery. In this episode: What luxury patient care really meansCreating a premium experience from the first phone callBuilding trust before surgeryWhy thoughtful details matter more than expensive onesDesigning an unforgettable patient experienceHow to say "no" to the wrong patientsThe importance of postoperative communicationCreating memorable moments that patients never forgetLessons from Ritz-Carlton, Hermès, and world-class hospitalityWhy word-of-mouth is your most valuable marketing strategy The Business of Surgery is a 12-part summer series on FEM, MD, where Dr. Lauren Umstattd shares the lessons she learned building a thriving physician-owned cosmetic surgery practice—from startup through long-term growth. New episodes every Wednesday. Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md Produced by: The Hippocratic Collective See more shows and content at hippocratic-collective.com

How do you get patients to find—and trust—you before your practice even opens? In Episode 5 of The Business of Surgery, facial plastic surgeon Dr. Lauren Umstattd shares the marketing strategy she used to build a thriving physician-owned practice. From documenting the journey before opening day to creating educational content, embracing authenticity, and thinking long-term, this episode is a roadmap for physicians who want to grow their practice without relying on traditional advertising. Lauren explains why social media isn't about selling—it's about becoming the trusted resource patients already know when they're finally ready to seek care. In this episode: Why social media is the most powerful marketing tool for physiciansHow to build trust before patients ever meet youCreating content that attracts the right patientsWhy consistency beats perfectionOvercoming the fear of being on cameraMarketing your practice before you openGrowing organically across multiple platformsLocal marketing ideas that actually workedWhy documenting your journey builds trustThe long game of physician branding and practice growth The Business of Surgery is a 12-part summer series on FEM, MD, where Dr. Lauren Umstattd shares the lessons she learned building a thriving physician-owned cosmetic surgery practice—from startup through long-term growth. New episodes every Wednesday. Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md Produced by: The Hippocratic Collective See more shows and content at hippocratic-collective.com

The success of your private practice depends on one thing more than almost anything else: the people you hire. In Episode 4 of The Business of Surgery, facial plastic surgeon Dr. Lauren Umstattd shares her approach to hiring, building culture, and creating a team that patients genuinely love. From choosing your first employee to conducting working interviews, investing in staff, and knowing when it's time to let someone go, this episode is an honest look at the leadership side of physician entrepreneurship. Whether you're opening your first practice or leading an established team, these lessons apply far beyond medicine. In this episode: Who should be your first hire?Building a private practice team from scratchHow to interview and evaluate candidatesWhy working interviews matterHiring for attitude over experienceCreating a strong workplace cultureInvesting in employee growth and retentionGiving raises, CME budgets, and meaningful benefitsDifficult conversations and firing with integrityWhy micromanagement destroys great employees The Business of Surgery is a 12-part summer series on FEM, MD, where Dr. Lauren Umstattd shares the lessons she learned building a thriving physician-owned cosmetic surgery practice—from startup through long-term growth. New episodes every Wednesday. Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md Produced by: The Hippocratic Collective See more shows and content at hippocratic-collective.com

What does it actually take to build and operate your own ambulatory surgery center (ASC)? In Episode 3 of The Business of Surgery, facial plastic surgeon Dr. Lauren Umstattd shares the realities of designing, building, and running a physician-owned surgery center—from navigating state regulations and construction delays to sourcing equipment, building the right team, and creating an exceptional patient experience. Rather than focusing on theory, Lauren walks through the practical lessons she learned while opening her own ASC, including the mistakes, unexpected challenges, and decisions she would make again. In this episode: Should you open your own ambulatory surgery center?The advantages of physician-owned ASCsBuilding an operating room from the ground upState regulations and accreditationConstruction challenges and project managementHow to save money on surgical equipmentWhen it's worth investing in premium equipmentDesigning a luxury surgical experienceHiring your first surgery center teamThe realities of owning and operating an ASC The Business of Surgery is a 12-part summer series on FEM, MD, where Dr. Lauren Umstattd shares the lessons she learned building a thriving physician-owned cosmetic surgery practice—from startup through long-term growth. New episodes every Wednesday. Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md Produced by: The Hippocratic Collective See more shows and content at hippocratic-collective.com

Thinking about starting your own private medical or surgical practice? Where do you even begin? This is business 101, basics for the modern physician. In Episode 2 of The Business of Surgery, facial plastic surgeon Dr. Lauren Umstattd breaks down the financial and operational foundations of launching a physician-owned practice. From loans and lines of credit to pricing, startup costs, and creating a premium patient experience, this episode is a practical guide to the business skills physicians rarely learn during training. Whether you're a medical student dreaming about entrepreneurship, a resident considering private practice, or an attending ready to build something of your own, this episode offers an honest look at what it really takes to get started. In this episode: How to finance a private practiceLoans vs. lines of creditBuilding your first business plan (pro forma)Managing startup expensesBuying equipment without overspendingPricing medical and surgical servicesCreating a luxury patient experienceWhy physicians can succeed as entrepreneursLearning from other surgeons and business owners The Business of Surgery is a 12-part summer series on FEM, MD, where Dr. Lauren Umstattd shares the lessons she learned building a thriving physician-owned cosmetic surgery practice, from startup to long-term growth. New episodes every Wednesday. Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md Produced by: The Hippocratic Collective See more shows and content at hippocratic-collective.com

Welcome to The Business of Surgery, a brand-new 12-part summer series on FEM, MD. Every week this summer, facial plastic surgeon Dr. Lauren Umstattd pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to build a successful private practice - from financing and hiring to marketing, leadership, pricing, and the mindset required to bet on yourself. In Episode 1, Lauren starts with the most important question of all: Should you even become an entrepreneur? Drawing from her own experience building a thriving, physician-owned cosmetic surgery practice, she discusses: • How to know if you're cut out for business ownership • Risk tolerance and entrepreneurial mindset • Why physicians struggle with imposter syndrome outside of medicine • Learning to embrace failure in business • Building your dream practice through intentional vision • Why "just start" is often the best advice • Autonomy vs. employment in medicine • Why physicians deserve more control over how they practice Whether you're a medical student, resident, attending physician, or simply curious about entrepreneurship in healthcare, this series offers an honest, practical look at building a career on your own terms. Subscribe for new episodes of The Business of Surgery every week this summer. Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md Produced by: The Hippocratic Collective See more shows and content at hippocratic-collective.com

Women physicians are often expected to do it all: care for patients, raise families, support everyone around them, and somehow never ask for anything in return. In this episode of FEM, MD, host Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with physician, writer, and creator Dr. Laura Vater for an honest conversation about toxic martyrdom in medicine, physician burnout, motherhood, sleep deprivation, and building a sustainable career as a woman doctor. Together, they discuss why so many women in medicine struggle with boundaries, how residency training can normalize self-sacrifice, the reality of the "second shift" at home, and practical advice for physicians navigating career, family, and personal well-being. Topics discussed include: • Toxic martyrdom in medicine • Women physicians and burnout • Motherhood during medical training • The "second shift" and working moms • Setting boundaries as an attending physician • Sleep deprivation and physician wellness • Negotiating your first physician contract • Financial independence for doctors • Raising children while practicing medicine • Finding joy and fulfillment outside of work Whether you're a medical student, resident, attending physician, or working mother trying to balance it all, this conversation offers practical wisdom and reassurance that you are not alone. Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md Guest: Dr. Laura Vater Connect with Laura: @doclauravater Produced by: The Hippocratic Collective See more shows and content at hippocratic-collective.com