Implicit Bias | LIMITLESS Leaders Edition: S16 Ep75

Bias isn't always intentional, but its impact can shape careers, leadership opportunities, and patient care. Implicit bias influences how individuals are perceived, treated, and supported in professional environments. From unequal recognition and everyday microaggressions to barriers in leadership and patient access, unconscious assumptions can reinforce inequities even when individuals believe they are acting fairly. Recognizing these patterns and creating opportunities for meaningful dialogue are important steps toward a more inclusive surgical profession. Guest host Noopur Gangopadhyay, MD, a pediatric plastic surgeon at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago, welcomes Anu Bajaj, MD, MBA, a private practice plastic surgeon in Oklahoma City, and Victoria Vastine, MD, FACS, a plastic surgeon in Charlottesville, Virginia. Drawing on their experiences in clinical practice, professional leadership, and advocacy, Drs. Bajaj and Vastine share personal encounters with implicit bias and discuss how these experiences have shaped their approaches to mentorship and leadership. Their conversation explores practical ways to address microaggressions, recognize personal assumptions, support colleagues, and foster more inclusive environments for surgeons and patients. Topics Discussed Recognizing implicit bias and microaggressions Addressing unequal treatment and professional recognition Understanding gender bias in surgical leadership Developing self-awareness through active listening Identifying bias in patient care and representation Supporting mentorship and diverse leadership Challenging institutional and generational assumptions Creating more inclusive professional environments Key Takeaways Recognize everyday bias. Small interactions can reinforce unequal treatment and professional expectations. Listen with intention. Understanding different perspectives can improve leadership and patient relationships. Address bias constructively. Respectful conversations can help individuals recognize unconscious assumptions. Support equitable opportunities. Mentorship and inclusive leadership can help reduce professional barriers. Examine patient representation. Inclusive communication and imagery can help patients feel recognized and welcomed. Share responsibility for change. Creating inclusive environments requires participation from colleagues, leaders, and institutions. The LIMITLESS Leaders podcast series is presented by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) in collaboration with The Aesthetic Society, with generous support from Allergan Aesthetics. About Enhance Your Practice Enhance Your Practice is the official practice management podcast from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), featuring conversations with leaders in plastic surgery on practice management, leadership, innovation, and professional development. Each episode delivers practical insights to help plastic surgeons build successful practices and thrive throughout their careers. Explore more educational resources from ASPS at plasticsurgery.org.