THE
EMPOWERED
SURGEON
Medical Training only prepared you for half of what it takes to be a fulfilled, successful surgeon. The Empowered Surgeon Group is where you learn (and practice) the other half.
Our profession can feel like we are running on a treadmill…juggling bombs. It’s as if we are one mistake away from losing it all, and it’s scary.
It doesn’t have to be. I want to offer you a different vantage point. You are not an emotionless robot whose job is to execute perfectly. You are a human being with a high stakes job. You can take care of yourself and your patients in the face of mistakes, complications, and less than ideal outcomes. You can execute well even when you aren’t showing up as the highest version of yourself. You have more control than you realize.
Why Are We Still Treating Burnout Like a Personal Failure Instead of a Systemic Issue?
Surgeons are conditioned to push through exhaustion, but at what cost? Burnout isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a signal that the system is broken. What if we stopped normalizing suffering, learned skills for reducing suffering, and started advocating for structural change– for ourselves and our patients?
The Myth of the Invincible Surgeon: Who Does It Actually Serve?
We are taught to suppress emotions, power through fatigue, and never show doubt. But what happens when the expectation of invincibility turns into isolation? What if strength looked like asking for help, prioritizing rest, and operating from a place of wholeness instead of depletion? This can be your reality.
Complications Aren’t Just Clinical—They’re Emotional. So Why Aren’t We Talking About It?
Surgical complications don’t just happen to patients—they happen to us, too. The weight of unexpected outcomes can be heavy, yet we’re expected to move on as if we’re unaffected. What if we created space to process these moments instead of burying them? You can change your relationship to complications, difficult patients and thorny professional issues.
Mastering the Unknown: The Most Important Skill We Were Never Taught
Surgery is uncertainty. Every procedure holds the potential for the unexpected. Yet, we’re trained to believe that mastery means control rather than adaptability. What if the best surgeons weren’t the ones who knew everything—but the ones who knew how to navigate the unknown?
What Are We So Afraid Of? (And What Is It Costing Us?)
We fear making mistakes. We fear judgment from colleagues. We fear losing the identity we’ve built our entire lives around. But what if these fears are keeping us from evolving into the surgeons—and people—we’re meant to become?
Healing Medicine Starts with Healing Ourselves
If we want to change the culture of medicine, we have to start from within. How can we expect to provide care when we refuse to receive it? How do we create a system that values not just patient outcomes, but also surgeon well-being?
The Conversations We Should Be Having
GET
SUPPORT
TODAY
Does it feel like the world is trying to sabotage you? Don’t let insufferable insurers, a tyrant boss, or ridiculously long turnover times make you believe you’re not okay. You deserve to be okay no matter what. I’ll show you how in 3 simple steps.
WHY I LEFT MY SUCCESSFUL SURGICAL CAREER TO FOUND THE EMPOWERED SURGEON GROUP.
I spent over a decade grinding as an ENT surgeon, pushing through exhaustion because I thought that’s just what it meant to be a doctor. But in 2021, burnout finally forced me to pay attention. I started having panic attacks at work—suddenly, the surgeon who could handle anything in the OR was struggling to breathe in between cases. It was terrifying.
Through coaching, I learned how to manage my mind and emotions in a way that medical training never taught me. It didn’t just make me a better doctor—it made me a better human. I found clarity, confidence, and a sense of control I hadn’t felt in years.
That’s why I became a coach. Not to walk away from medicine, but to help heal it—starting with the people who give so much of themselves to it. I help surgeons like you reclaim the ease, clarity, and confidence you deserve, so you can keep doing the work you love without losing yourself in the process.
Hi, I’m Dr. Mel Thacker
an ENT surgeon, professional certified coach, podcaster, and TEDx speaker. If you are questioning your life choices, don’t worry—you’re definitely not alone, and you’re in the right place.
You are the asset, surgeon. When you are well-resourced, everyone benefits.
Get started right away by listening to Surgeons with Purpose Podcast, a novel podcast that candidly discusses real issues facing surgeons, like imposter syndrome, anxiety, toxic martyrdom culture, mistakes, shame, moral injury, and much more. If you are a surgeon in need of support, simply click the link to get on a call with me.