Welcome to Our Voices Our Future, the podcast
where we amplify the voices driving change and
equity within medicine and beyond. Brought to
you by the Gender Equity Task Force, a committee
of the American Medical Women's Association.
We're here to challenge norms, break barriers
and ignite conversations that matter. I'm Rhea
Manohar and in each episode we'll bring you candid
discussions with leaders, change makers and advocates
working to create a more inclusive and just world.
No more silence. No more waiting. We are listening
to our voices, our future. Let's get into it.
Today we are welcoming Dr. Ilana Zago. Dr. Zago
is a second -year plastic surgery resident at
Loma Linda University. She grew up in Southern
California and attended UC Santa Barbara for
her undergraduate degree. She worked as a health
educator in a medically supervised weight management
program prior to attending the Burnett School
of Medicine at TCU in Texas for medical school.
She then matched into the integrated plastic
surgery program at Loa Linda University. Well,
thank you so much for being with us here today.
Yes, thank you so much for having me. This is
such an honor. So with that, I'm going to go
ahead and jump in. Can you start by sharing a
little bit about your background and what inspired
you to pursue a career in surgery? Yeah, I would
love to so I grew up in Southern, California
And I actually I didn't have any doctors or people
in the medical field of my family And as I'm
sure many can probably relate to I Decided during
my ninth grade biology class one day that I was
gonna be a doctor and like that was pretty much
it And then I didn't officially though make the
decision to pursue Surgery until my second year
of medical school and I think looking back the
seed had been planted years before, but I actually
think that I was just scared to commit to a surgical
specialty because I didn't know any women in
surgery. I didn't know if it was possible to
have a family. I feel like growing up, I was
kind of told like dermatology was thrown out
so many times to go into, and I just lacked that
kind of representation. We can chat more about
how important that is later. But during my second
year of medical school, so I I left California,
I went to Texas for med school, and we started
clinicals at the beginning of our second year.
And so at that time, I decided to observe a breast
recon case, and it was a female plastic surgeon,
which was awesome. And that was pretty much it.
So when I decided surgery, I decided plastics
at the same time. So it just felt. like a soul
connection for me. I have a creative background.
I think that definitely contributed to my decision.
I love being able to help patients shape their
identities. I love the attention to detail. I
mean, I could go on about why it's the best specialty,
but to speak about surgery in general, I just,
there's something to be said about being in the
OR. I was in the OR all day today and it's just,
the world just stands still and it's so amazing
and you're working with your hands, you're doing
something tangible for the patient. it's truly
just incredible. So I'm really happy I kind of
pushed past not having the representation. I
have now found the representation, which is amazing.
But yeah, that's a little bit about my background
and why I decided surgery. Thanks so much for
kind of walking us through that journey. I actually
do want to talk a little bit about what you shared
about not having that mentor and representation.
Kind of talk me through, what did that mean for
you? How did you find it? Yeah, yeah, I'd love
to talk more about that. I think, so when I made
the decision to pursue plastic surgery at that
time, I had a male mentor who was just absolutely
incredible. I mean, I wouldn't be here if it
wasn't for him. But I knew that I needed to find
not only women in surgery, but women in surgery
that also had the kind of life and were living
the future that I could see for myself. Because
I think it's not just enough to be surrounded
by the women, the plastic surgeons, but ones
that also, I want a family. So ones that had
a family and were also plastic surgeons, ones
that had a partner and were also plastic surgeons,
ones that were happy and also plastic surgeons.
So I think that's super important because then
you can see yourself in them. And I think that
goes for anyone looking for mentorship. It's
really important to kind of... you want to be
able to see yourself in them and see yourself
in the specialty that you're going into, otherwise
you're just going to be dissuaded from doing
that. I mean, if nobody looks like you in the
field, then why would you feel like you're welcomed
in that space? So hopefully that kind of answers
that question a little bit of why it's important.
I think that's something that a lot of students
experience throughout their medical journey of
both hearing from other physicians as well as
other students, maybe even family members about,
specifically, I think women get this, that you
won't be able to pursue a family. It's not conducive
to your lifestyle. How do you think that that
affects students who are looking into pursuing
more challenging specialties? Yeah, I mean it
almost affected me so I can I can definitely
see how that can can get to you and I Will say
it's not that it's not challenging because it
is but it's possible and I think that that's
Key is it's not nothing's going to be easy When
you're doing surgery, I think it's the nature
of the specialty too, but it's definitely it's
definitely possible. And I think again, when
you see people that are succeeding and doing
amazing things, and they also have a family,
it shows you, okay, I can do this too. And I
remember, I was in one meeting during medical
school and a female surgeon was sharing how something
just sometimes has to give and time is money.
And so you you can choose to have people support
you and things like that to clear up other areas
in your life so you can be present with your
family when you when you can be and then you
can be present in the OR when you need to be
as well. So choosing where you put your energy
I think is also important. Now I think that's
so important that you shared that piece. Kind
of going along with that What strategies have
you found effective, or I know you're just starting
out, or have others shared with you, about achieving
work -life integration between your professional
responsibilities and personal life? Yeah, I definitely
wouldn't say I have this figured out just yet,
especially this year of residency. It's been
challenging. I think, like I said, something
kind of has to give. I've found I'm not capable
of doing it all, and that's okay. I think one
day I might prioritize social life and social
time and being around people and having that
connection, which is super important. But then
another day I might choose sleep over spending
time with people. And I am someone that really,
really prioritizes exercise. And so spending
time with that, which I think helps me feel like
I have this semblance of balance, and you may
say integration, because balance is not, it's
not really ever a true balance. But I think that's
important. And I think you also have every every
person is different. And so I think a good sign
to kind of look at and see, am I achieving this
work life integration as if I feel happy. And
if I'm not feeling happy, then I have to look
at how I'm spending my time and what do the quality
of my hours look like? Do I have to take a step
back from studying and maybe go on a walk? What
do I have to do to fill up my cup? And so I think,
again, I'm not going to sit here and pretend
like I've perfected this, but I think you have
to just maximize the hours that you have and
you choose to spend them doing things that make
you happy. And I think it's also super important
to be efficient when you're in the hospital as
well because that'll maximize your time outside
of it. Definitely. I think what you shared there
was really important, specifically that those
priorities and needs can change over time. I
think a lot of people have this belief that you
have to allocate this part to like a certain
number of hours or These are the priorities and
they can't shift and they're really ever changing.
They are definitely. Yeah. At each point in your
life. And I'm sure they will continue to change
for me. And what's important this year might
not be next year, but we adapt. We go with the
flow. So kind of going into that, what have been
some of the most significant hurdles you've encountered
as a surgical resident and how have they shaped
your journey? I think. I think the most Probably
a significant hurdle thus far has just been constantly
being pushed outside of your comfort zone every
single day. I feel like when I think it I have
it down, I'm humbly reminded that I don't and
I have a long way to go, which is OK. I mean,
on the flip side of that, it's really cool and
unique that you're you're never bored. You're
always learning and you're always growing. Even
today. I'm better than I was when I started the
day because of what I've done throughout the
course of just one day, which is pretty cool
and really incredible to be able to say that.
And I think it's shaped who I am as a person,
even outside of residency, because I feel like
every time I find myself in a new, different,
challenging situation, I remind myself I've been
in many new, different, challenging situations.
I've done just fine. And so I think that's like
a positive that comes from that. But truly, every
single day I am uncomfortable. I think that's
just residency. I think another hurdle is probably
overcoming the exhaustion that just inevitably
sets in. We work very long hours. Our call shifts
are very busy. You're on your feet for pretty
much every minute of the day. And so I think
sometimes it's just hard to overcome that. And
I think the way that it's shaped me a bit is
just learning tactics. Like I write everything
down and I'm not ashamed to admit that it helps
me keep track of everything and not miss anything.
And I wish I had amazing advice on how to combat
being tired. But unfortunately, we are human
and we do need to sleep. But kind of going back
to what I said earlier, when you're more efficient
in the hospital, you actually then have more
time to sleep as well. So it does, it does pay
off. And then I think the last one I'll share
going off of just how busy your schedules are.
I don't think I would fully prepared for the
number of sacrifices that you do have to make
when you are a resident. Even though I am very,
very fortunate to live in the same state as many
friends and family, which I know is not the case
for many residents, I still cannot see them as
often as I would like. You miss out on life events,
you miss out on birthdays. I was actually just
missed out on Thanksgiving because I was working
in the ACO. It does shape you by making you very
grateful for the moments that you do get to spend
with your loved ones. And so you truly learn
not to take any of them for granted. You kind
of talked to me about that. I know you shared
that you prioritize exercise. But what other
ways have you found to kind of focus in on health
and wellness in such a high pressure and like
mentally strenuous environment? Yeah, I think
I think exercise is super important because it
actually builds mental strength as well as physical
fitness, which I always joke that surgeons are
athletes. Truly like we are we are on our feet.
We are we are doing intense work. And so you
do it does help to be physically able to do these
things. But I do think it builds up that mental
strength as well, which is so important. I also
am big. on nutrition, I think that what you eat
matters. And so when you're getting your energy
through food, you perform better as well. I think
another aspect of health and wellness really
is connection. And that can come from community,
friends, family. It's such an important piece
that I think a lot of people forget. And again,
sometimes you have to sacrifice maybe some studying
or maybe some sleep to call a friend or to go
see family. And you'll actually find yourself
having more energy the next day because you did
that. So I think, yeah, connection, what you
eat, exercise, and then having hobbies, which...
Everyone always says sounds crazy because we're
so busy. But for me, exercise is one of my hobbies.
So that goes, that does go hand in hand, but
everyone's different. But just finding something
that really just brings you joy because all of
those things will make you perform better when
you are in these high pressure, high stress environments.
They really do go hand in hand. I love this common
theme of joy that you shared throughout your
answers and throughout like what you're prioritizing.
I think a lot of people view residency as this
like slog through it. But it's exciting to hear,
particularly as a med student, how you're finding
that space for yourself even through it all.
Yeah, I mean, it's six years, my residency is
six years, six years of my life. And you can't
just tell yourself Okay, in six years, I'm going
to prioritize my health because every day is
a gift, right? I mean, nothing is guaranteed.
And so if you're always, and we do this in medicine
because it's delayed gratification, right? When
I get into med school, okay, when I finish med
school, when I finish residency, it's like, where
does it end? You have to live where you're at
now. And I actually got really incredible advice
from a retired breast micro surgeon. She said
something along the lines of if you neglect your
health in residency, you're only going to pay
for it when you're in attending and when you're
in retirement. And that's when you want to be
enjoying all the work that you've done all your
life. So it's again, there are definitely bad
days. I don't want to sit here and be like, I
am happy 100 % of the time. But you you just
have to make it a priority because you just,
you can't put your life on hold for the number
of years that we spend in education and in training.
I appreciate you sharing that. I actually want
to shift gears a little bit. Can you share how
you found your voice as a female surgeon and
the importance of that journey in your career?
Yeah, I think looking back, I do feel like there
was a pivotal moment for me where I started coming
into my own with this a bit more. I was actually
on one of my away rotations as a medical student.
And one of the residents was giving me advice
on how to really shine during these. And in my
opinion, away rotations are super important,
especially for plastic. So we were speaking very
candidly. I was really appreciative of the advice.
And he said to me, that his first impression
of me when I had walked into an OR was that I
was timid and I had never been called timid before.
And he said, along the lines of, you know, in
surgery and especially as a woman in surgery,
you can't afford to be perceived as timid. And
I know some people listening to this might be
like, oh, my goodness, you know, he said that
to you, but I actually really took it to heart
because I knew what he was getting at and I understood
what he was saying. I wasn't confident when I
walked into that OR. I wasn't sure of myself.
I was very hesitant. I know that. And I let that
show. And so I told myself going forward, I was
also new medical school, no home program. I just
felt like I always... I just had something to
prove and that I was always the least experienced
person in the room. And I think that just really
got to me. And so I said to myself, OK, never
going to do that again. When you walk into a
room, even if you have no idea what to do or
no idea what's going on, you just walk in calm
and confident and secure with yourself. And I
say that, you know, as women, we have to work
twice as hard to get half And I, you know, nothing
is assumed. Like when we walk into a room, we
have to prove ourselves. And I mean, you walk
into a room in scrubs, you're pretty much assumed
that you're the nurse and not the doctor. And
you know, you have to make sure to introduce
yourself as a doctor over and over again. And
so that's what we're up against. And so why give
people even more reason to doubt you? And so
I really think it's important to just command
the room that you. walk into and command it with
grace, with kindness, be respectful and be compassionate.
But I think it's been super, super important
for me as I'm in my second year of residency
because you're building your reputation and how
other people view you. And I would like to think
that that's a good one and that people associate
me with someone who is trustworthy and is confident.
and collected and knows her worth as well and
speaks up when she needs to be and isn't afraid
of that, especially when it comes to patients,
because you should always speak up for patients.
So hopefully that kind of gives some guidance
and answers a bit of that question. No, definitely.
Well, this has been just such a lovely conversation
and you've shared so many different little tidbits
of advice. But do you have one overarching piece
of advice that you would offer to aspiring surgeons,
particularly young women, since you mentioned
that you didn't necessarily have a lot of representation
in the field who are considering a career in
surgery? Definitely, I think. just going back
to what I was saying before, it's so important
to surround yourself with role models and women
that you can look up to. It's just important
to see other women too being happy in careers
similar to the ones that you want to have. And
if that means you're cold emailing surgeons that
you admire, cold email surgeons that you admire.
And I think, yeah, it just shows you what's possible
and it gives you that perspective. And, you know,
I will say, don't be afraid to sit with yourself
and think about if surgery is the right path
for you and talk to your mentors and get their
advice and perspective. And it's not, if you're
questioning whether or not this is right for
you, that's okay. You shouldn't be ashamed of
that either. Well, thank you so much for having
this really candid and thoughtful discussion
with me today. That's a wrap on this episode
of Our Voice is Our Future. We hope today's conversation
inspired you, challenged you, and reminded you
of the power of raising your voice. The fight
for equity doesn't stop here. Join us in the
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And if you loved this episode, share it with
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stay bold, stay vocal, and keep the conversation
going. This is our voices, our future.