In this deeply moving episode of The Intentional Surgeon, Dr. Sharon Stein welcomes Dr. Melissa Red Hoffman — trauma surgeon, hospice and palliative care director, writer, and former naturopathic doctor — for a conversation about the culture of surgery, vulnerability, and the power of integrated identity in medicine. Dr. Hoffman opens up about her nontraditional path, surviving violent loss, and how her experience in palliative care, trauma surgery, and chronic illness has reshaped her understanding of what it means to be fully present with patients — and with herself.

Together, they explore the ego, the myth of perfection, mental wellness in medicine, and what it truly means to show up as a full human being in the operating room, in the ICU, and in life.

Key Themes:

• The myth of perfection in surgical culture
• Ego, excellence, and the quiet cost of striving
• How personal grief and professional identity intertwine
• Vulnerability and safety among surgical colleagues
• Integration vs. balance: bringing your full self into your work
• Caretaking for loved ones as a physician
• Chronic illness and redefining what it means to thrive

Quotable Moments:

• "We really are just human beings doing a very important, amazing, life-changing job."
• "Vulnerability isn't weakness — it's how we learn, grow, and lead."
• "Sometimes taking care of ourselves is not happy or easy... but it’s necessary."

About Dr. Red Hoffman: Dr. Melissa Red Hoffman is a trauma surgeon, Associate Medical Director of Palliative Care, and Hospice Medical Director in Asheville, North Carolina. With a background in naturopathic medicine and yoga, she brings an integrative, human-centered approach to care. A powerful voice in the intersection of trauma, grief, and healing, Dr. Hoffman is also a published writer and speaker known for her honesty, compassion, and commitment to reshaping surgical culture.

Resources:

• Making Meaning After Violent Death | Melissa Red Hoffman, MD, ND

• In Shock: My Journey from Death to Recovery and the Redemptive Power of Hope | Awdish Rana