Ep. 298 Saying Yes (and No): Strategic Career Decisions with Dr. Anne Cameron

Is your “yes” advancing your career or just adding to your workload? In collaboration with the Society of Women in Urology (SWIU), this episode of BackTable Urology features timely professional advice from Dr. Anne Cameron (University of Michigan, former SWIU president) and Dr. Helen Bernie (Indiana University) on how to approach yes and no decisions with intention across different stages of your medical career. --- Get the BackTable apphttps://www.backtable.com/app --- Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction02:43 - How Yes Changes Over Time11:34 - Power Dynamics For Trainees16:11 - Housekeeping Work18:46 - Kind Versus Nice22:52 - Delegating And Mentoring28:07 - Decision-Making Framework36:21 - FOMO Versus Opportunity40:30 - Mentorship45:02 - Final Takeaways --- More about this episode Early in training, saying yes is often driven by power dynamics, while later in a career, it’s competing priorities that make those decisions harder. According to Dr. Cameron, a clear, timely “no” is not only acceptable but often more professional than a delayed response, and leaders play a key role in reinforcing this by giving trainees the space to decline opportunities. This episode also highlights the disproportionate share of “housekeeping” work taken on by women and junior faculty, adding another layer to these decisions. To navigate these challenges, Dr. Cameron offers a practical framework that considers time, role expectations, energy, personal fulfillment, CV value, and long-term goals, while emphasizing the role of mentors and trusted colleagues in providing perspective. --- Resources Society of Women in Urology (SWIU)https://swiu.org/home.aspx --- BackTable Urology is the go-to podcast for urologists, urologic oncologists, and urogynecologists. Download the free BackTable app to get early access to new episodes, cases, and courses curated by physicians in your specialty. ► https://www.backtable.com/app