In The Arena Podcasts

Inspired by "The Man in the Arena" quote by Theodore Roosevelt, EAST In the Arena is a podcast series highlighting EAST Members' unique practices discussing the why and how.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” ~Theodore Roosevelt~

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Podcasts Currently Available

EAST In the Arena: Intimate Partner Violence in Trauma: 04/05/2026; In this episode of EAST In the Arena, Dr. Toba Bolaji, Dr. Katie Riera, Dr. Andrea Tsoris, and Dr. Jeremy Levin sit down with Dr. Amanda Teichman of Rutgers University for an engaging conversation on the complex and critically important issue of intimate partner violence. Together, they explore how Dr. Teichman's center has worked to thoughtfully integrate screening into the trauma evaluation process, the multidisciplinary stakeholders required to make that effort successful, and the real-world impact these initiatives can have on the care of a particularly vulnerable patient population. This episode highlights both the challenges and opportunities in identifying and supporting patients experiencing intimate partner violence, while offering listeners valuable insight into how trauma centers can play a meaningful role in addressing this important public health issue.; Listen Download

EAST In the Arena: Rethinking Management of Grade I/II Colon Injuries: 02/21/2026; Join the EAST In the Arena Crew/Drs. Tsoris, Levin, and Murali as they talk with Dr. Caitlin Fitzgerald of East Carolina University about managing non-destructive traumatic colon injuries and leading an EAST multi-center retrospective study. Dr. Fitzgerald describes how training differences sparked the question, how early single-center data suggested primary repair improved morbidity compared with resection, and how she conducted her first multi-center trial.; Listen Download

EAST In the Arena: Trauma-Informed Care and AI - A New Frontier in Patient Education: 12/30/2025; In this episode of EAST In the Arena, co-hosts Dr. Jeremy Levin and Dr. Shyam Murali explore the intersection of AI and patient education with Dr. Bahaa Succar and Dr. Linda Dultz from UT Southwestern. They discuss the innovative use of AI platforms to enhance the readability of patient education materials, particularly for underserved trauma populations. The conversation delves into the methods used to ensure the accuracy and simplicity of the information, the specific challenges faced by trauma patients, and the potential for AI to complement and empower healthcare delivery.; Listen Download

EAST In the Arena: From Trauma to Transplant? The Controversial World of Liberal ED Thoracotomies.: 11/25/2025; In this episode of EAST in the Arena, hosts Dr. Katie Riera and Dr. Shyam Murali, live from the 38th (2025) EAST Annual Scientific Assembly, delve into the complexities surrounding emergency department (ED) thoracotomies and organ donation with Dr. Danielle Brabender and Dr. Matt Martin from USC. They explore institutional practices, the impact on survival and organ donation rates, and the controversial aspects of balancing patient care with societal benefits. Highlighting the importance of guidelines, resource use, and the training environment, the episode provides a thorough examination of the subject's intricacies.; Listen Download

EAST In The Arena: Optimizing the Trauma Bay through Simulation and Human Factors Engineering

10/16/2025

Join the ITA fam as we talk with Dr. Daniel Lollar, an associate professor of surgery at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, about his work in optimizing the trauma bay through simulation and human factors engineering. The discussion explores the impact of structural constraints on trauma care and how Dr. Lollar, along with a multidisciplinary team, used engineering and simulation to optimize a new trauma bay. Key points include the importance of space and equipment placement in trauma bays, the iterative design process using simulations, and the methodologies like link analysis, bump analysis, and crossover analysis to enhance efficiency and safety. The episode also touches on the substantial cost savings achieved and the broader implications of this approach in healthcare facility design.

Manuscript Citation: Scarboro DB, Jones NA, Wolf LD, Collier BR, Lollar DI. Using Human Factors Engineering to Enhance New Trauma Bay Effectiveness. J Surg Res. 2025 Sep 10;315:1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2025.08.003. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40934853.

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EAST In the Arena: Oh Canada! Trauma Systems in Canada: 08/27/2025; Join the EAST In the Arena crew as they talk about the trauma systems in Canada with Dr. Evan Wong of McGill University and Dr. Nori Bradley of the University of British Columbia. We will compare and contrast the Canadian Trauma System with the U.S., the size and scope of rural trauma in Canada, and the unique aspects of a nationalized system of care!; Listen Download

EAST In the Arena: Sage Advice: 07/15/2025; Do job interviews give you palpitations like the oral boards did? Wondering how to find the right fit? Wish you could read minds and know what to say? Well, this comes pretty close. Join Drs. Shyam Murali, Hassan Mashbari and Prerna Ladha as they get candid advice from Drs. Eileen Bulger, Mayur Patel, Michael Cripps, Jeffery Claridge, Marty Schreiber, Rishi Rattan and Ben Zarzaur.; Listen Download

EAST In the Arena: Discover Why 'A' May Not Always Be First In The ABCs of Trauma!: 06/09/2025; Join the ITA crew as we chat with Dr. Jonathan Meizoso from the University of Miami and Ryder Trauma Center as he discusses his journey from fellowship training in Denver to his research and work at Ryder Trauma Center. Our conversation delves into the importance of prioritizing circulation over airway management in trauma patients, particularly those in hemorrhagic shock. The discussion highlights the need to revamp traditional ATLS guidelines and the challenges of implementing new practices in diverse medical environments. Key insights include the impact of intubation timing on patient outcomes and the role of effective communication and interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing trauma care.; Listen Download

EAST In the Arena: From Emergency Medicine Residency to Surgical Critical Care: 05/04/2025; Recorded live at the 37th (2024) EAST Annual Scientific Assembly, this episode spotlights Dr. Allyson Hynes and her leap from emergency medicine to surgical critical care. Join the ITA crew as they dissect SCC training models for EM-intensivist and how EM-trained intensivists amplify trauma capacity. Catch fast-paced career tips and future-focused insights on hybrid trauma practice.; Listen Download

EAST In the Arena: Tele-ICUs

04/04/2025

Join the hosts of EAST: In the Arena and Careercast in this special Combocast! as they talk with Dr. Alison Wilson, Chief of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery at West Virginia University, about how she is leveraging the resources and expertise in trauma and critical care at her home shop to empower local and regional hospitals to care for their communities.

EAST In The Arena - https://www.east.org/education-resources/inthearena

EAST Careercasts - https://www.east.org/career-development/careercasts

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EAST In the Arena: Leading with Empathy - Trauma Informed Care: 02/06/2025; Join the hosts of EAST: In the Arena as they talk with Dr. Libby Schroeder from the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, WI and her work with trauma informed care - an empathy driven approach to treating our patients, for their benefit.; Listen Download

EAST In the Arena: EGS Alert!: 12/04/2024; Join the hosts of EAST In the Arena as they talk with Dr. Rachel Rodriguez of Indiana University Medical Center about her work through to minimize the time to source control with an innovative alert system for emergency general surgery patients, similar to trauma systems.; Listen Download

EAST In the Arena: The S.A.M.I. Study: 10/01/2024; Join the hosts of EAST: In the Arena as they talk with Dr. Vanessa Ho from MetroHealth Medical Center about her work through EAST Multicenter Trials to identify which geriatric trauma patients we should be scanning to minimize missed injury.

Supplemental Information
Ho VP, et al. Scanning the aged to minimize missed injury: An EAST multicenter study. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2024 May 27.
doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000004390. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38797882.; Listen Download

EAST In the Arena: Teaching Stop The Bleed® in Peds

07/26/2024

Join the hosts of EAST: In the Arena as they talk with Missy Anderson, MBA, BSN, RN, Pediatric Trauma Program Manager at Denver Health, about her experience teaching pediatric populations how to Stop The Bleed®!

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EAST In the Arena: Don’t say “pull the plug” - Protocolizing Goals of Care Discussions in the ICU: 06/11/2024; Join the hosts of EAST: In the Arena as they talk with Dr. Lisa Kodadek about her push to protocolize goals of care discussions to empower and support providers having difficult conversations and ensure we provide the highest quality health care to our patients.; Listen Download

EAST In The Arena: Building a National Trauma System from the Ground Up!: 04/30/2024; Join the hosts of EAST: In the Arena as they talk with Dr. Hassan Mashbari about his journey from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabi to Chicago to Boston and back, all in the efforts of building a burgeoning national trauma system from the ground up in his home country.; Listen Download

EAST In The Arena: Smile, You're On Camera!: 03/22/2024; Join the hosts of EAST In the Arena as they talk about trauma video review with a pioneer in the field,
Dr. Ryan Dumas. Learn about how to set up a program by listening to the episode and by reading this review: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36096880/

Supplemental Information
ABS EPAs: https://www.absurgery.org/get-certified/epas/general-surgery/; Listen Download

EAST In the Arena: Artificial Intelligence – The Next Frontier in Acute Care Surgery: 02/06/2024; Join Drs. Kaitlin Ritter, Shyam Murali, Mike Radomski, and Jeremy Levin as they talk with Dr. Chris Tignanelli of University of Minnesota about his work in artificial intelligence, its implementation in trauma care, and how it is definitely NOT about robots taking over the world.; Listen Download

EAST In the Arena: Everybody has an Auntie in Anchorage: 12/18/2023; Join Drs. Andrea Tsoris, Shyam Murali, and Jeremy Levin as they talk with Dr. Elisha Brownson of Alaska Native Medical Center about how she cares for Alaskans despite weather, geography, and EXTREME PERIODS OF DARKNESS(!), serving as trauma medical director in one of only two level two traumas in the state!

The discussion is the opinion of the Drs. Tsoris, Murali, Levin and Brownson. EAST DOES NOT RECOMMEND OR ENDORSE, AND DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY RELATING TO, any particular products, procedures, opinions or other information presented or referred to on or through this podcast (including but not limited to the content of any advertisement), except for any statements specifically identified as expressing a policy or position officially approved by EAST.; Listen Download

EAST In the Arena: To Be A Trauma Surgeon in Canada

10/16/2023

Join Drs. Jeremy Levin, Shyam Murali, and Mike Radomski as they revisit their conversation with Dr. Pat Murphy as he reflects his experience in the Canadian trauma system. And stay tuned to “In the Arena” as we explore non-US trauma systems with our international colleagues in Canada and beyond!

The discussion is the opinion of the Drs. Murali, Radomski, Levin and Murphy. EAST DOES NOT RECOMMEND OR ENDORSE, AND DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY RELATING TO, any particular products, procedures, opinions or other information presented or referred to on or through this podcast (including but not limited to the content of any advertisement), except for any statements specifically identified as expressing a policy or position officially approved by EAST.

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EAST In the Arena: APPs - Boots on the Ground, Pilot in the Airplane: 08/27/2023; Drs. Jeremy Levin, Shyam Murali, Mike Radomski, and Kaitlin Ritter talk about integrating Advanced Practice Providers into a trauma program with special guest, Jonathan Messing, MSN, ACNP-BC. Learn about how to start an APP practice within your trauma division on this EAST In the Arena!; Listen Download

EAST In the Arena: Creating a Center on the South Side of Chicago: 07/07/2023; Join Jeremy Levin, Shyam Murali, Mike Radomski, and Andrea Tsoris as they talk to Dr. Ken Wilson about how the trauma center at the University of Chicago was developed and the challenges they faced along the way.; Listen Download

EAST In the Arena: Metamorphosis Through Burn Care: 05/22/2023; Join Drs. Jeremy Levin, Shyam Murali, and Mike Radomski as they talk with Dr. Irma Fleming of the University of Utah Burn Center about how Dr. Fleming provides burn care in the rural setting through an innovative telehealth platform!; Listen Download

EAST In the Arena - The ACS Full Time Equivalent with Pat Murphy: 04/24/2023; Join Drs. Shyam Murali, Mike Radomski, and Jeremy Levin as they talk with Dr. Patrick Murphy about the full time equivalent for trauma and acute care surgeons and how to create a more sustainable and healthy specialty.

The discussion is the opinion of the Drs. Murali, Radomski, Levin and Murphy. EAST DOES NOT RECOMMEND OR ENDORSE, AND DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY RELATING TO, any particular products, procedures, opinions or other information presented or referred to on or through this podcast (including but not limited to the content of any advertisement), except for any statements specifically identified as expressing a policy or position officially approved by EAST.; Listen Download

EAST In the Arena - Police Drop Offs in the City of Brotherly Love: 03/18/2023; Join Drs. Shyam Murali, Mike Radomski, and Jeremy Levin as they talk with Dr. Elinore Kaufman of UPenn Trauma about how they handle police drop-offs for timely and efficient care of penetrating trauma patients.

Supplemental Material
Coming in hot: Police transport and prehospital time after firearm injury

J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2022 Nov 1;93(5):656-663. doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000003689. Epub 2022 May 20.
PMID: 36282621, DOI: 10.1097/TA.0000000000003689; Listen Download

EAST In the Arena - The Story of Spalding and the REBOA: 02/11/2023; Join Shyam Murali, Mike Radomski, and Jeremy Levin as they talk with Dr. Chance Spalding of Grant Medical Center about their journey in implementing REBOA at their institution and how they have improved over the years.; Listen Download

EAST In the Arena - Quilts, Quilts? QUILTS!: 12/12/2022; Episode 3 of ITA! Join Shyam Murali, Mike Radomski, and Jeremy Levin as they talk with Dr. Ashley Meagher of Indiana University Health Trauma about the significance of palliative care, the role of the surgeon, and the power of quilts.; Listen Download

EAST In the Arena - The Swentek!: 11/15/2022; Episode 2 of ITA! Join Shyam Murali, Mike Radomski, and Jeremy Levin as they talk with Dr. Lourdes Swentek of UC Irvine Trauma and learn about the awesome, sometimes ridiculous, and (relatively) unknown world of medical device making. From genius uses of the foley, to questionable applications of lasers on babies, and the engineers you need to both encourage and temper, get ready to be excited about making stuff!; Listen Download

EAST In the Arena - If Your CT is a Death Tube...: 10/31/2022; Join Drs. Shyam Murali, Mike Radomski, and Jeremy Levin as they talk with Dr. Jill Streams of Vanderbilt Trauma about what her center’s views are on resuscitation, why they do things the way they do, and how she gets patients to and through the CAT scanner fast, efficient, and without all the death.; Listen Download

DISCLAIMER: THIS WEBSITE IS NOT INTENDED TO, AND DOES NOT, PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. All health care content available on or through this website is presented by the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma ("EAST") for general informational purposes only and must not be regarded as a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment by a professional health care provider. THE EAST DOES NOT RECOMMEND OR ENDORSE, AND DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY RELATING TO, any particular products, procedures, opinions or other information presented or referred to on or through this website(including but not limited to the content of any advertisement), except for any statements specifically identified as expressing a policy or position officially approved by EAST.

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