60. Connecting the Body & Mind with Dr. Dharam Kaushik Artwork

Operate with Zen

While incredibly rewarding and honored vocations, careers in medicine and surgery are fraught with stress, burnout and challenges in work-life balance. OWZ is intended to open dialogue about a mindful approach to surgery - to create a space where physicians and surgeons can enhance their life's work and life experience with a focus on presence, purpose and practical skills. OWZ combines didactic-like monologues to provide baseline information and available scientific data on practical topics like time management, sleep hygiene and burnout; as well as interviews with surgeons and experts to share what works and doesn't work in their daily routines.

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Operate with Zen

60. Connecting the Body & Mind with Dr. Dharam Kaushik

March 07, 2023 • Phil Pierorazio • Season 6 • Episode 3

Dharam Kaushik, MD is a urologic oncologist who does big time cancer surgeries. He is also a researcher and educator at the University of Texas San Antonio where he runs the urologic oncology fellowship program and leads the kidney cancer research program. Despite an upbringing in India and early exposure, he only recently picked up yoga as an outlet for wellness in his life. We explore yoga and mindfulness as strategies to combat burnout and stress at work, but expand the discussion to other forms of physical activity that can improve our surgical well-being. During the COVID pandemic, Dharam was certified as a yoga instructor and now expands his practice to healthcare workers at UT San Antonio – offering free classes to any employee or student who is interested. And he doesn’t take it easy on them! He talks and teaches about suffering and struggle in a yoga class as a great metaphor for surgery and life. I love talking with Dharam and I hope you do too. If interested in a yoga class or experience at a urology meeting, please find Dharam or I and join us or we can help to set it up.

And stay tuned for some bonus content! Dharam will take us through a breathwork exercise that you can use anytime to prepare for surgery, destress, or as part of your mindfulness routine.