In this episode of Surgical Crossroads, hosts Gregory Ekatah and Sadie Khwaja delve into the dynamic field of plastic surgery with guests Jeremy Rodriguez, Sarah Chadwick, and Sakiinah Mungroo. Consultant Jeremy shares how he unexpectedly found his passion for plastics, balancing clinical work with research in patient-reported outcomes. Trainee Sarah discusses her flexible training journey, shaped by family life and academic pursuits, and her interest in microsurgery. Recent graduate Sakiinah, inspired by her own experience as a burns patient, shares her dedication to burns care and advocacy through leadership roles in student surgery networks.
The episode underscores the specialty’s diversity, the value of persistence, and the need for creative, bespoke approaches in this competitive field.
Hosted by Greg Ekatah, Sesi Hotonu and Sadie Khwaja produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd.
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Introducing the topic and guests for this episode.
[Sadie Khwaja – Jeremy Rodriguez] Let's start with Jeremy. Jeremy, obviously you’ve reached that epitaph of being a consultant. What was that journey like? Where did you start your career?
[SK – JR] That’s quite a dizzying amount of travelling! What’s different about that, and what’s the benefit do you think?
[SK – JR] So you settled in Stoke Mandeville, but did you move straight into an academic job ‘half-and-half’?
[SK – JR] When you say the differences, what do you feel are the differences [between academic and clinical work]?
[SK – JR] Give us an example of what your week looks like.
[SK – JR] Are you a clinician or a researcher? Can you say one or the other, or are you split 50/50?
[SK – JR] It sounds very much a busy timetable finding that balance, as you're saying. So, work life balance for you – how does that work?
[Greg Ekatah – JR] Is there much of a tension between the research hat and your clinical commitments, either elective or emergency?
[GE – JR] Generally what are your research interests?
[GE – JR] What are the not-so-great things about plastic surgery?
[GE – Sarah Chadwick] When Jeremy was talking about the length of training and how other people are progressing past you, you were furiously nodding at that. Clearly that’s something that resonates with you.
[GE – SC] Are you full time or less than full time?
[GE – SC] What was it like when you came back mid-ST5 or after ST5 and said to the deanery, you wanted to be less than the full time. From a deanery point of view, was there much support for it? And from a specialty point of view, how was that received?
[GE – SC] What was the appeal or draw of plastic surgery for you?
[SK – SC] I always think that plastics is the new general in a sense that it's incorporating head to toe, isn't it? And as you say newborns to elderly, and it encompasses quite a lot of sub-specialist areas as well now, doesn't it?
[SK – SC] Sakina is keen to have a career in plastics. What advice would you give her?
[SK – SC] And what kind of opportunities are there for somebody like Sakina for filling that CV up?
[SK – JR] Have you got any tips for somebody starting out?
[SK – Sakina Mungroo] Fill us in on where you are with your journey.
[SK – SM] And what brings you to us? Because when we called out for people who were interested in a career in plastics, you were very keen to come. So, what makes you keen on plastics?
[SK – SM] What things have you explored whilst you've been through medical school to show your interest in plastics?
[SK – All] Just to explore a little bit of personality … it sounds a very varied type of person who goes into plastics; is that true?
37.50 [SK – JR] That moves us on nicely to look at the future of plastics. And what does the next decade look like?
39.22 [GE – SC] What was training like in plastic surgery during COVID times?
[GE – JR] What was it like for you as a consultant plastic surgeon or in your department through COVID? Also, you touched on the efficiencies that are going to be required as we come out of it. Do you see an impact of that on training as you move forward?
[SK – SC] As you approach the end of your training have you got ideas of where you're going and what you want to do?
[GE – All] The final question to you all is you are on a desert island and you have to take with you one surgical instrument and one non-surgical instrument. Which ones would you take it?
