SAGES Stories Episode 38 – Amin Madini, MD, PhD and Nova Szoka, MD
Welcome to the SAGES Stories Podcast!
In this episode, hosts Kevin El-Hayek and Jenny Shao sit down with Drs. Nova Zoka and Amin Madani to talk digital surgery, artificial intelligence, computer vision, telepresence, surgical decision-making, and the apparently revolutionary idea that technology should solve an actual problem before we bolt it onto the operating room.
Nova and Amin get into the stuff that makes this more interesting than another “AI is coming” conversation: why situational awareness may matter more than technical skill, how computer vision can help keep a gallbladder dissection out of the danger zone, how enhanced visualization can make complex surgery a little less mysterious, and why good AI needs lots and lots and LOTS of diverse data. They also tackle ethics, governance, telepresence, sustainability, and SAGES’ role in helping establish some traffic laws before everybody starts driving. Also, Claude has opinions, ChatGPT is apparently too agreeable, and the producer continues to reserve the right not to edit out anything funny.
Show notes:
Defining digital surgery: a SAGES white paper (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38180541/)
Risk and liability in the deployment of AI systems for surgery: a SAGES white paper (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42260175/)
2025 Gerald Marks Lecture – Sustainable AI and the Next Wave of AI Ethics for Healthcare (https://www.sages.org/video/2025-gerald-marks-lecture-sustainable-ai-and-the-next-wave-of-ai-ethics-for-healthcare/)
TAVAC – Technology and Value Assessments (https://www.sages.org/publications/tavac/)
Fundamental Use of Surgical Energy (https://www.fuseprogram.org/)
27 Jul 2026
SAGES Stories Episode 37 – Edward Auyang, MD, FACS
Welcome to the SAGES Stories Podcast!
In episode 37, hosts Kevin El-Hayek and Jenny Shao sit down with Darth Tigeris Dr. Edward Auyang, Sith Lord and Tiger Dad Professor of Surgery at the University of New Mexico, for a wide-ranging conversation about his unconventional path from biomedical engineering and computer science to minimally invasive surgery. Like, SERIOUSLY unconventional.
Dr. Auyang discusses surgical ergonomics, practical ways to reduce physical and cognitive fatigue in the operating room, his approach to resident autonomy and surgical education, and lessons from his visiting professorship in Japan. He also shares his enthusiasm for Star Wars, music, whiskey, anime, and the professional community he has found through SAGES.
Show notes:
SAGES Stories Episode 17 – Nat Soper (https://www.sages.org/sages-stories-episode-17-nathaniel-soper-md/)
SAGES Ergonomics Task Force Videos (https://www.sages.org/ergonomics-task-force/)
SAGES Train the Trainers Course Information (https://www.sages.org/train-the-trainer/)
12 May 2026
SAGES Stories Episode 36 – Bethany Slater, MD
Welcome to the SAGES Stories Podcast!
In episode 36 we feature an in-depth, conversational, and engaging conversation with Dr. Bethany Slater, a first for the podcast as she is the first pediatric surgeon to be featured!
Hosts Kevin El-Hayek and Jenny Shao welcome Dr. Slater to discuss her unique career path, the nuances of pediatric minimally invasive surgery (MIS), her role as chair of the SAGES Guidelines Committee, and the value of an MBA for physicians.
Show notes:
APSA – American Pediatric Surgical Association (https://apsapedsurg.org/)
IPEG – International Pediatric Endosurgery Group (https://www.ipeg.org)
SAGES Patient Partner Network (PPN) (https://www.sages.org/patient-partner-network/)
GRADE Working Group website (https://www.gradeworkinggroup.org/).
SAGES Guidelines Fellowship Job Description (https://www.sages.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Guidelines-Development-Fellow-Job-Description2023.pdf)
SAGES Guidelines (https://www.sages.org/publications/guidelines/)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
29,676,028
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
9 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 62 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
63
Social presence
0
YouTube
93
Engagement
60
Contact SAGES Stories
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of SAGES Stories?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
