Growing a Family and a Plastic Surgery Career | LIMITLESS Leaders Edition: S1 Ep1-Growing a Family and a Plastic Surgery Career

Growing a Family and a Plastic Surgery Career | LIMITLESS Leaders Edition: S1 Ep1

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This podcast episode of the Limitless Leaders series focuses on women surgeons finding personal balance between demanding careers and family life. Hosted by Dr. Susan McLennan, the discussion features Dr. Carrie Campbell, Dr. Abby Chaffin, and Dr. Summer Black, each sharing different paths through residency, private practice, and academia.<br /><br />The surgeons describe how they timed pregnancies, negotiated maternity leave, and relied on flexible partners, nannies, grandparents, and other support systems to keep both work and home functioning. They emphasize that success depends on transparency with colleagues, planning ahead, and choosing the right practice environment. Dr. Chaffin highlights the importance of supportive academic leadership and protecting women from being penalized for leave. Dr. Campbell discusses the value of open communication during residency and the need for practical backup systems. Dr. Black shares her experience in production-based private practice and the flexibility required to balance four children with a busy cosmetic practice.<br /><br />Key advice includes using shared calendars, simplifying household routines, scheduling family time intentionally, and accepting that balance is not perfection but a sustainable give-and-take. The episode concludes with encouragement for more women to pursue leadership roles in surgery.

Keywords

women surgeons

work-life balance

maternity leave

residency

private practice

academic surgery

family support systems

leadership roles

surgical residency

academic leadership

women in leadership