Ever feel powerless in the clinical environment? You’re not alone - and you may have more power than you think. In this Clinical Challenges in Surgical Education, hosts Drs. Maya Hunt and Mckenzie Rowe explore power and leadership within surgical learning environments. Joined by guests Drs. Paula Ferrada, Chair of Surgery at Inova Fairfax, and Frances Mei Hardin, co-founder of the Hippocratic Collective, the team discusses frameworks of conceptualizing power, how it can be found at any point in training, and tips on how to identify and better wield our own power in learning environments.

Episode Hosts:

Dr. Maya Hunt, Indiana University, mayahunt@iu.edu
Dr. Mckenzie Rowe, Inova Fairfax, mckenzie.rowe@inova.org
CoSEF: @surgedfellows, cosef.org

Guests:

Dr. Paula Ferrada, Inova Fairfax, @pferrada1, paula.ferrada@inova.org
Dr. Frances Mei Hardin, Hippocratic Collective, @francesmeimd, francesmei@hippocratic-collective.com

Learning Objectives:

Identify different sources of power within individuals
Define framework of ‘power-over’ vs. ‘power-to/power-with’
Recognize how leaders (including residents) may wield different types of power in both harmful and helpful ways
Spark self-reflection upon how each of us wields our own power in our role

References:

Brown B. Brené Brown on Power and Leadership. https://brenebrown.com/resources/brene-brown-on-power-and-leadership/.
Pansardi P, Bindi M. The new concepts of power? Power-over, power-to and power-with. Journal of Political Power. 2021;14(1):51-71. doi:10.1080/2158379x.2021.1877001
Bolman LG, Deal TE. Power, Conflict, and Coalition. In: Reframing Organizations: Artistry, Choice, and Leadership. 7th ed. Jossey-Bass; 2021:187-207.
Ferrada P. Breaking the silence: Addressing toxic leadership to restore psychological safety in healthcare. Forbes. October 8, 2025. https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinesscouncil/2025/10/08/breaking-the-silence-addressing-toxic-leadership-to-restore-psychological-safety-in-healthcare/.

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Clinical Challenges in Surgical Education: Power & Leadership

Behind The Knife: The Surgery Podcast