Episode Details

Join us on this fascinating journey with Captain Dr. Alexis Lauria, a graduating chief resident in general surgery at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Listen in as she takes us through her path to military medicine, the intricacies of applying for medical school, and her time at Penn State University. Hear about her experiences in the HPSP program during medical school and her subsequent general surgery training. We also celebrate Alexis’s remarkable accomplishment of completing six years of general surgery training.

In the second part of our discussion, Alexis recounts her time as a resident at Walter Reed, her research experiences, and the unique challenges she faced in her second and third year. She also talks about the importance of forming strong relationships with faculty members during medical rotations and shares valuable insights on effective leadership as a chief resident. She goes on to describe her time leading the general surgery team at Walter Reed and provides priceless advice for medical students considering a career in general surgery.

In the final segment, we discuss the value of mentorship and Alexis's experiences in her surgery residency. She explains how having strong support systems, like her marriage and class, played a crucial role in her journey. We also delve into the demanding process of becoming a board-certified general surgeon. Lastly, Alexis provides some helpful advice for new surgery residents. Tune in to hear Alexis discuss her favorite and challenging surgeries in training and the unique challenges and opportunities she faced in her military training.

--------- EPISODE CHAPTERS ---------

(0:00:01) - Military Medicine and General Surgery

(0:11:27) - General Surgery Residency and Research Experiences

(0:21:12) - Leadership in General Surgery Residency

(0:27:37) - Mentorship in Surgery Residency

(0:36:17) - Advice for New Surgery Residents

(0:40:53) - Favorite and Challenging Surgeries in Training

(0:43:23) - Challenges and Opportunities in Military Training

--------- EPISODE CHAPTERS WITH SHORT KEY POINTS ---------

(0:00:01) - Military Medicine and General Surgery

Alexis Lauria shares her journey to medical school, the HPSP program, and six years of general surgery training.

(0:11:27) - General Surgery Residency and Research Experiences

Alexis Lauria shares her military medical program experience, including Walter Reed residency and Society for Vascular Surgery Meeting.

(0:21:12) - Leadership in General Surgery Residency

Alexis Lauria shares advice on making meaningful connections with faculty, personalizing military applications, and leading a team as a chief resident.

(0:27:37) - Mentorship in Surgery Residency

Alexis Lauria shares her journey through surgery residency, discussing the qualifying exam, oral boards, mentors, and specialty development.

(0:36:17) - Advice for New Surgery Residents

Alexis Lauria emphasizes the importance of showing care for team members.

(0:40:53) - Favorite and Challenging Surgeries in Training

Vascular surgery challenges and rewards discussed, including laparoscopic cholecy