Sharona Ross, MD, FACS

Speaker Profile

• Born and raised in Israel, where she joined the army right after high school.
• Learned English as she pursued her undergraduate degree at American University in Washington, D.C.
• One of the earliest adopters of single-site abdominal surgery and robotic complex abdominal operations, she continues to advance minimally invasive techniques.

Sharona Ross, MD, FACS, director of surgical endoscopy and director of the advanced GI and HPB fellowship program at Florida Hospital Tampa, is one of the nation's foremost general surgeons. She's also perhaps one of the most compassionate. During her talk "From Surgeon to Patient: My Time on the Table," Dr. Ross will discuss the career-altering insights she realized by experiencing surgery from the other side of the scalpel.

• After the phone call. It took me a while to grasp what the abnormal biopsy results meant, that I was facing surgery. I called my doctor back and said, "Let's do this." He scheduled me as soon as practical. Ironically, the next week I was scheduled to go on our first family vacation in years. What would my children say? The trip was cancelled and, with my clinic and surgery schedule already clear, I was instantly transformed from a surgeon into a patient. I tried to hold back the tears, but couldn't. That first night was very difficult for me. As a surgeon, I knew too much about my condition. I knew the entire spectrum of possible outcomes. For the first time, I realized the true meaning of the phrase "ignorance is bliss."
• Life lessons. Surgical professionals are trained to treat patients, but they're not taught about truly understanding the patient perspective. No program or curriculum can convey such a lesson. You can't fully appreciate what it's like unless you've gone through it yourself. I hope to impart at least some of the wisdom the journey has provided me.

• At their most vulnerable. I arrived in the pre-dawn hours to register for my procedure, hungry, tired and nervous. Fortunately for me, the hospital where I had my operation is one of the finest medical facilities in the United States and staffed by the most professional, competent and compassionate nurses and physicians. Nevertheless, the surgical experience is long and difficult. Gowns are revealing and cold. The pre-op prepping process is filled with endless questions and prodding. The expertise and confidence of the nurses, however, made me feel comforted and secure. Surgical staffs need to realize the importance of connecting with patients when they're at their most vulnerable.
• There are no minor operations. Each patient who enters your facility is more than a number. They have lives and loved ones waiting for them to emerge from surgery healed and healthy. I'm hoping the leaders who hear my talk gain a little more appreciation for what patients actually go through on the day of surgery and convey that message to their staffs, who will hopefully treat patients with renewed respect and compassion. The simple phrase everything will be OK, we're going to take great care of you makes an incredible impact.
• Remember why you chose surgery. Patients and their family members want to stay informed during every phase of the surgical process. Even though I'm a surgeon, I can't tell you how much I appreciated each time a member of the surgical team told me what to expect next. They were patient and understanding, which I now try harder to be for every person who trusts me with their care.

Every day is stressful in busy ORs, but removing yourself from the hustle and bustle to make each patient feel like they're the only one in your facility is the cornerstone of excellent surgical care. It's why we do what we do, and we must never lose sight of that. Now that I've been a patient, it's something I'll never forget.