The Cost of Compassion - A Surgeon’s Mental Health Journey

In this deeply candid episode of Curie, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Adam Rosen—author of O.R. Confidential: Confessions of a Gen X Surgeon—opens up about the hidden side of surgical life. With over 20 years in the OR and hundreds of joint replacements under his belt, Dr. Rosen reflects on burnout, mental health stigma in medicine, and the generational pressures that shape physician careers. He shares his own breaking point, the challenges of seeking help, and how that journey has transformed not only his life but also how he connects with patients. We also explore broader systemic issues—administrative overload, policy failures, and how culture in medicine can evolve to better support physicians. Honest, unfiltered, and ultimately hopeful, this episode offers lessons for clinicians navigating the realities of modern healthcare.