#92 The Rules of Surviving Surgery with Dr. Sonya Sloan

Interested in our retreat to Norway? Get on my calendar for an interview here.What does it really take to survive and succeed in a system that wasn’t built with you in mind?In this episode, I explore that question with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Sonya Sloan. We talk about the hidden curriculum of medicine: the unspoken rules, the power dynamics, and the strategies required to navigate surgical training, especially as a Black woman in a historically white, male-dominated field.From early inspiration in the operating room to enduring microaggressions, bullying, and even physical assault during training, Dr. Sloan shares what she learned, how she protected herself, and why resilience alone is not enough.This episode is not just about survival; it’s about strategy, leadership, and rewriting the rules for the next generation.We talk about:How her early experiences sparked a career in orthopedicsWhat it was like being one of the only Black trainees in a surgical programThe reality of bias, microaggressions, and exclusion in medicineThe difference between mentors and true advocatesA moment of physical assault in the OR, and how she handled itWhy documentation and strategy are essential for protecting your careerThe hidden “rules” of medicine no one teaches youHow surgical culture impacts womenThe critical importance of leadership and communication skillsWhy “soft skills” are not optional but essentialHow humor and tone-setting can transform the OR environmentThe emotional toll of training, and the importance of narrative processingWhy so many trainees feel isolated, targeted, or unsupportedWhat needs to change in surgical education right nowTakeaways:Resilience isn’t enough. You need strategy, awareness, and supportDocumentation is power in environments where bias existsMentors advise. Advocates act. You need both.Microaggressions shape careers, even when they seem subtleLeadership skills are not taught, but they are critical to survivalYou don’t have to silently tolerate inappropriate behaviorProcessing your story is part of healing and reclaiming your voiceLearn more about Dr. Sonya Sloan and get her book, The Rules of Medicine here.Follow Dr. Sloan on instagram here.Check out Hardball for Women here.Check out White Fragility here.Join us inside Empowered Surgeons Group here.