1 00:00:00,235 --> 00:00:02,205 - Prepare to dive into the forefront 2 00:00:02,225 --> 00:00:05,525 of healthcare innovation at our 14th annual meeting coming 3 00:00:05,545 --> 00:00:06,645 up on April 8th 4 00:00:06,645 --> 00:00:10,765 through 11th at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago, with thousands 5 00:00:10,765 --> 00:00:13,965 of industry leaders converging over four dynamic days 6 00:00:13,985 --> 00:00:16,805 of discussions on crucial topics from health IT 7 00:00:17,185 --> 00:00:18,685 to executive leadership. 8 00:00:18,995 --> 00:00:21,325 It's where the future of healthcare takes shape. 9 00:00:21,865 --> 00:00:24,085 We can't wait to connect with you in person 10 00:00:24,305 --> 00:00:26,725 and engage in these important conversations. 11 00:00:27,845 --> 00:00:30,295 - This is Laura Dedo with the Becker's Healthcare Podcast. 12 00:00:30,955 --> 00:00:32,495 I'm thrilled today to be joined by Dr. 13 00:00:32,595 --> 00:00:35,295 Sue Khan, chief of the Division of Vascular Surgery 14 00:00:35,355 --> 00:00:39,335 and endovascular therapy at Keck School of Medicine of USC. 15 00:00:39,675 --> 00:00:41,975 Dr. Ha's a pleasure to have you on the podcast today. 16 00:00:43,485 --> 00:00:45,555 - Great to be here. Thanks for having me, Laura. 17 00:00:46,815 --> 00:00:48,315 - Now, I'm looking forward to talking 18 00:00:48,315 --> 00:00:49,795 with you further about some of the things 19 00:00:49,795 --> 00:00:52,675 that you're doing at, um, the School of Medicine, some 20 00:00:52,675 --> 00:00:54,875 of your research and the projects that are really, um, 21 00:00:54,875 --> 00:00:56,555 impactful for patients. 22 00:00:56,615 --> 00:00:58,315 But before we dive into my discussion, 23 00:00:58,375 --> 00:00:59,475 can you tell me a little bit more 24 00:00:59,475 --> 00:01:00,715 about yourself and your background? 25 00:01:01,505 --> 00:01:04,755 - Sure. Uh, so hi everybody. My name is Sue Khan. 26 00:01:04,935 --> 00:01:06,435 Um, I'm one 27 00:01:06,435 --> 00:01:08,955 of the vascular surgeons at the University of Southern California. 28 00:01:09,255 --> 00:01:12,835 As Laura introduced, I currently, uh, am the chief 29 00:01:12,895 --> 00:01:16,035 of Division of Vascular Surgery, uh, at USC. 30 00:01:16,795 --> 00:01:19,235 I also have been serving as a program director 31 00:01:19,375 --> 00:01:21,835 for our fellowship and residency training program, 32 00:01:22,905 --> 00:01:26,085 and had the, um, aortic center here as a co-director. 33 00:01:27,285 --> 00:01:31,225 Um, I'm originally from Seoul, Korea, uh, born 34 00:01:31,225 --> 00:01:32,985 and raised there, but immigrated 35 00:01:32,985 --> 00:01:35,425 to Southern California when I was 15, 36 00:01:36,285 --> 00:01:39,705 and I spent most of my time in Irvine, um, 37 00:01:40,235 --> 00:01:41,665 where I did my undergrad, 38 00:01:41,775 --> 00:01:44,685 undergraduate work in medical school, uh, 39 00:01:44,685 --> 00:01:47,765 where I met my wife, who's also a physician at USC. 40 00:01:48,545 --> 00:01:51,645 And, uh, we have two little, um, children, uh, eight 41 00:01:51,665 --> 00:01:55,445 and 6-year-old, Lily and Tara, uh, two daughters. 42 00:01:55,585 --> 00:01:56,925 Um, and, 43 00:01:56,985 --> 00:02:00,165 and we live in Pasadena, south Pasadena, California. 44 00:02:02,775 --> 00:02:04,025 - Well, that's amazing. Wow. 45 00:02:04,085 --> 00:02:06,225 And you know, what a, a great, um, family 46 00:02:06,285 --> 00:02:08,985 to have in another physician as your spouse. 47 00:02:09,105 --> 00:02:11,145 I can imagine there's a lot of coordinating that goes on, 48 00:02:11,145 --> 00:02:12,625 especially with two little daughters. 49 00:02:12,805 --> 00:02:14,425 Um, you know, I, I can imagine 50 00:02:14,425 --> 00:02:15,905 that need a lot of attention as well. 51 00:02:15,965 --> 00:02:19,105 And so, you know, it just seems like a great place to be 52 00:02:19,325 --> 00:02:22,065 and then to, um, to have a partner who's also a physician 53 00:02:22,065 --> 00:02:24,265 and understands everything that goes into the job as, 54 00:02:24,285 --> 00:02:25,425 as well as the family life. 55 00:02:26,785 --> 00:02:28,555 - Yeah, absolutely. We're both very busy 56 00:02:28,655 --> 00:02:30,115 as academic physicians 57 00:02:30,495 --> 00:02:34,395 and she's also in leadership role, uh, at USC in the, 58 00:02:34,815 --> 00:02:36,795 the division of gastroenterology. 59 00:02:37,695 --> 00:02:41,335 So I think we are, um, are, 60 00:02:41,395 --> 00:02:44,375 are raising our kids the best, best, uh, way we can. 61 00:02:44,595 --> 00:02:46,855 Uh, but a lot of coordinating, a lot of extra help 62 00:02:47,745 --> 00:02:51,165 and hope to be setting good examples for our, our children. 63 00:02:53,245 --> 00:02:55,765 - Absolutely. I think that's all any of us can ever ask for, 64 00:02:55,825 --> 00:02:57,045 uh, as parents, I feel. 65 00:02:57,105 --> 00:03:00,365 But it definitely a big job, so, um, that's great to hear. 66 00:03:00,955 --> 00:03:03,165 What are you most excited about right now, um, 67 00:03:03,745 --> 00:03:06,405 as you enter your new role at Keck School of Medicine? 68 00:03:07,795 --> 00:03:11,365 - Yeah, I'm, I'm most excited about really continuing 69 00:03:11,365 --> 00:03:13,365 to be a part of this exceptional division 70 00:03:13,365 --> 00:03:16,165 of vascular surgery that, uh, my predecessor Dr. 71 00:03:16,275 --> 00:03:20,905 Fred Weaver built over the 26 years of, uh, 72 00:03:21,075 --> 00:03:22,545 being the chief of our division. 73 00:03:23,695 --> 00:03:27,145 Um, but really as the division chief, my role 74 00:03:27,825 --> 00:03:30,705 I understand is now beyond what I'm doing 75 00:03:30,845 --> 00:03:33,545 for my own research interest and my own achievements 76 00:03:34,125 --> 00:03:36,945 and the clinical focus as a vascular surgeon, 77 00:03:37,245 --> 00:03:41,475 but to really support this talented group of 12 physicians 78 00:03:41,535 --> 00:03:42,795 to continue to succeed. 79 00:03:44,415 --> 00:03:46,315 So, you know, personally, growing 80 00:03:46,455 --> 00:03:49,035 and learning is what drives me and, 81 00:03:49,175 --> 00:03:51,635 and wakes me up every morning, uh, and, 82 00:03:52,175 --> 00:03:54,995 and love coming to work, and it gives me meaning every day. 83 00:03:55,615 --> 00:03:59,445 And it's only been two and a half months in this chief role, 84 00:03:59,465 --> 00:04:02,805 but I've really been enjoying learning, uh, about leadership 85 00:04:03,025 --> 00:04:04,125 and program building 86 00:04:05,045 --> 00:04:09,475 and planning for the future, you know, in every sort of, uh, 87 00:04:09,475 --> 00:04:12,275 service line that we provide as a vascular surgery division, 88 00:04:12,705 --> 00:04:15,915 whether it's in the aortic space or limb salvage center. 89 00:04:17,255 --> 00:04:20,315 And so I really look forward to supporting our faculty 90 00:04:20,945 --> 00:04:23,115 grow in the same way that I was supported, 91 00:04:23,295 --> 00:04:24,795 um, by Dr. Weaver. 92 00:04:25,645 --> 00:04:28,505 And I'm excited to provide the launching pad for some 93 00:04:28,505 --> 00:04:32,145 of our young faculty and watch their career grow and, and, 94 00:04:32,145 --> 00:04:33,505 and blossom as well in the future. 95 00:04:35,975 --> 00:04:37,335 - Absolutely. That's amazing to hear. 96 00:04:37,335 --> 00:04:38,335 And as you mentioned, 97 00:04:38,335 --> 00:04:41,375 that is definitely a mindset shift when you go from really 98 00:04:41,775 --> 00:04:42,975 focusing on yourself and, 99 00:04:42,975 --> 00:04:45,975 and, you know, being a superstar in terms of 100 00:04:45,975 --> 00:04:48,095 what you're doing on the clinical side as well 101 00:04:48,095 --> 00:04:51,095 as your research and, um, then shifting into a role 102 00:04:51,095 --> 00:04:53,815 where you're really building a team and supporting others. 103 00:04:54,115 --> 00:04:56,455 Um, you know, I know it can be very rewarding, 104 00:04:56,475 --> 00:04:59,495 but, you know, certainly takes a, an intentional shift. 105 00:04:59,915 --> 00:05:01,335 Um, what was that like for you? 106 00:05:01,365 --> 00:05:04,535 What did you, I guess, um, what have you been doing 107 00:05:04,595 --> 00:05:07,455 to just kind of get yourself in a great place to, um, 108 00:05:07,475 --> 00:05:09,295 really fulfill that role in a, 109 00:05:09,295 --> 00:05:11,495 in a very successful way? Yeah, 110 00:05:12,095 --> 00:05:16,505 - I think identifying, um, talented partners, 111 00:05:16,925 --> 00:05:20,785 um, and, uh, like-minded individuals with similar focus, 112 00:05:21,975 --> 00:05:24,755 uh, is I think is key to success. 113 00:05:24,975 --> 00:05:28,395 But, uh, I think for, for that part, I, I really, I mean, 114 00:05:28,395 --> 00:05:31,715 this is, I've been with this division over the last 10 years 115 00:05:32,055 --> 00:05:36,225 as faculty, and I've been a trainee here at USC 116 00:05:36,225 --> 00:05:38,185 as a general surgery, uh, resident 117 00:05:38,845 --> 00:05:40,625 for seven years prior to that. 118 00:05:40,805 --> 00:05:44,735 Um, and so I don't think 119 00:05:44,735 --> 00:05:46,855 that part was very challenging for me. 120 00:05:46,975 --> 00:05:49,375 I think we have a, I've been lucky to be a part 121 00:05:49,375 --> 00:05:53,315 of the division where we have exceptionally talented group 122 00:05:53,315 --> 00:05:55,035 of people with high energy 123 00:05:55,575 --> 00:05:58,965 and each of 'em with their own, um, expertise. 124 00:06:00,195 --> 00:06:01,455 So that part has been easy. 125 00:06:01,655 --> 00:06:05,175 I, I do think that balancing very busy clinical work 126 00:06:05,715 --> 00:06:08,295 and the practice that you spend most of your time building 127 00:06:09,465 --> 00:06:13,365 now with all these other administrative, um, duties 128 00:06:13,365 --> 00:06:17,825 that also take up time, uh, is something I'm still learning. 129 00:06:18,165 --> 00:06:22,645 But, you know, as I said, I think this learning 130 00:06:22,945 --> 00:06:26,205 how to balance these things is also kind of fun. 131 00:06:26,505 --> 00:06:30,325 Uh, and, and finding out that you can in some ways 132 00:06:31,595 --> 00:06:33,725 balance those two things, uh, and, 133 00:06:33,825 --> 00:06:36,245 and, uh, finding role models around the country 134 00:06:36,545 --> 00:06:39,285 and asking for their advice, um, 135 00:06:39,585 --> 00:06:41,045 has also been meaningful for me. 136 00:06:42,685 --> 00:06:44,985 - That's great to hear. And definitely, you know, the, 137 00:06:45,005 --> 00:06:47,505 the best kind of teams are those that work so well together 138 00:06:47,645 --> 00:06:49,265 and, and just have a great dynamic. 139 00:06:49,485 --> 00:06:52,145 So it's really cool to see that you've got all that energy 140 00:06:52,145 --> 00:06:55,065 and passion, um, within your division, um, 141 00:06:55,245 --> 00:06:57,025 at Keck School of Medicine. 142 00:06:57,525 --> 00:06:59,225 So, you know, when you look at, um, 143 00:06:59,235 --> 00:07:02,465 where you're at right now, what is, um, you know, 144 00:07:02,735 --> 00:07:04,985 from the time you've spent there, what is one change 145 00:07:04,985 --> 00:07:07,585 that you've made, um, that has yielded some great results? 146 00:07:09,905 --> 00:07:11,755 - Yeah, so I, you know, 147 00:07:11,755 --> 00:07:14,355 it's only been really since January 1st officially. 148 00:07:14,655 --> 00:07:17,955 So it's, it's been what, uh, two and a half months. 149 00:07:18,065 --> 00:07:21,515 It's probably too early for me to kind of point out what I, 150 00:07:21,665 --> 00:07:25,355 what I did as a chief that made great results, 151 00:07:25,415 --> 00:07:28,915 but I can give you a, a great example where a change made, 152 00:07:29,095 --> 00:07:32,895 um, and being consistent with that change, uh, 153 00:07:32,915 --> 00:07:37,025 and being able to lead a group of people, um, led 154 00:07:37,025 --> 00:07:39,585 to great results is actually the aortic center. 155 00:07:39,885 --> 00:07:44,805 Um, and so 12 years ago, Dr. Fred Weaver and Dr. 156 00:07:44,945 --> 00:07:48,365 Ron Starnes created this multidisciplinary aortic team at 157 00:07:48,445 --> 00:07:51,805 USC, led by cardiac 158 00:07:52,025 --> 00:07:54,565 and vascular surgeons were dedicated to taking care 159 00:07:54,565 --> 00:07:56,565 of patients with challenging aortic problems 160 00:07:57,465 --> 00:07:59,845 and really work closely to provide patients 161 00:07:59,845 --> 00:08:01,925 with the best available treatment options 162 00:08:02,555 --> 00:08:04,845 that fit each patient's sort of need. 163 00:08:05,835 --> 00:08:08,935 Um, so I, Dr. Fleischman and myself, Dr. 164 00:08:09,175 --> 00:08:11,295 Fernando Fleischman, who's a cardiac surgeon at USC 165 00:08:11,915 --> 00:08:15,135 and myself, a vascular surgeon in inherited this program, 166 00:08:16,615 --> 00:08:19,625 uh, years ago, and worked really hard 167 00:08:19,625 --> 00:08:22,385 to develop this program and take it to another level. 168 00:08:22,445 --> 00:08:25,305 And I think that has been the success story 169 00:08:25,305 --> 00:08:26,385 that has been modeled 170 00:08:26,435 --> 00:08:28,825 after around the country at different aortic centers 171 00:08:29,605 --> 00:08:34,035 and also in, in the other service line, uh, 172 00:08:34,535 --> 00:08:35,875 at our own institution. 173 00:08:36,675 --> 00:08:39,095 So we've been able to grow not only in clinical volume 174 00:08:39,155 --> 00:08:42,465 of the Aortic Center, but the treatment options where 175 00:08:43,205 --> 00:08:45,825 we have access to some of the cutting edge technology 176 00:08:45,825 --> 00:08:48,905 through, uh, investigational pathway and others, 177 00:08:49,875 --> 00:08:52,975 and offer treatments to patients that other centers don't. 178 00:08:53,395 --> 00:08:54,855 And these patients come to us 179 00:08:55,805 --> 00:08:59,695 from our region from all over now seeking our, our care. 180 00:08:59,955 --> 00:09:03,295 So that, that's an example where, you know, 181 00:09:03,365 --> 00:09:06,615 from program building point of view, being able to lead 182 00:09:07,175 --> 00:09:09,775 a group of physicians with different expertise 183 00:09:10,395 --> 00:09:12,495 to focus on the same problem 184 00:09:13,515 --> 00:09:17,735 and provide sort of coherent, um, solution 185 00:09:18,635 --> 00:09:21,405 that extends beyond sort of what is considered standard 186 00:09:21,425 --> 00:09:24,085 or what is considered possible at some of other centers. 187 00:09:25,915 --> 00:09:27,175 - That's fantastic to hear. 188 00:09:27,175 --> 00:09:28,935 And, and you know, what a great example of way 189 00:09:29,325 --> 00:09:31,575 that you've really been able to dig into 190 00:09:31,575 --> 00:09:34,135 that more personalized touch with medicine 191 00:09:34,395 --> 00:09:37,215 and, um, delivering that experience as well as outcomes 192 00:09:37,285 --> 00:09:39,335 that is really beneficial to patients. 193 00:09:39,875 --> 00:09:42,495 Now, before we wrap up here, where do you see some 194 00:09:42,495 --> 00:09:44,295 of the biggest opportunities for continued 195 00:09:44,295 --> 00:09:47,455 to growth at the Medi Medical School as well as the, um, 196 00:09:47,575 --> 00:09:49,375 USC Comprehensive Aortic Center? 197 00:09:50,655 --> 00:09:53,265 - Yeah, I mean, I think Aortic Center has kind 198 00:09:53,265 --> 00:09:57,305 of morphed into a very well-oiled machine, uh, moving from 199 00:09:58,015 --> 00:10:02,985 balancing open surgical excellence to, um, 200 00:10:04,115 --> 00:10:06,775 you know, um, help define sort of future 201 00:10:06,915 --> 00:10:08,535 of more cutting edge, 202 00:10:08,535 --> 00:10:12,535 minimally invasive endovascular aortic repairs. 203 00:10:12,695 --> 00:10:13,895 I think we've done a great job 204 00:10:13,955 --> 00:10:16,855 and staying at the cutting edge of that, um, 205 00:10:18,825 --> 00:10:23,385 the, you know, from the medical school, uh, side, 206 00:10:23,625 --> 00:10:25,505 I think expanding that model and, 207 00:10:25,505 --> 00:10:27,785 and applying that to other areas. 208 00:10:28,045 --> 00:10:32,025 And we've been able to leverage this in some ways by 209 00:10:32,605 --> 00:10:35,385 really adopting this multidisciplinary model 210 00:10:35,845 --> 00:10:38,975 to our limb salvage service line, uh, 211 00:10:38,975 --> 00:10:41,695 incorporating our podiatrist colleagues led 212 00:10:41,695 --> 00:10:43,455 by doctors David Armstrong 213 00:10:43,455 --> 00:10:47,175 and Laura Shin, who are also, not only podiatrists, 214 00:10:47,355 --> 00:10:50,925 but the NIH fund, the scientists working closely 215 00:10:51,195 --> 00:10:52,325 with our partner, Dr. 216 00:10:52,345 --> 00:10:54,965 Miguel Manzer, who has special focus and interest 217 00:10:54,965 --> 00:10:58,195 and expertise in taking care of patients 218 00:10:58,865 --> 00:11:02,315 with peripheral arterial disease has been really kind 219 00:11:02,315 --> 00:11:05,555 of transformative within our division and our institution. 220 00:11:06,535 --> 00:11:10,705 Similar approach has been done, uh, crossing sort 221 00:11:10,705 --> 00:11:13,545 of the department lines from the Department of Surgery 222 00:11:13,685 --> 00:11:16,945 and cardiovascular space to working closely 223 00:11:17,095 --> 00:11:19,225 with our neurosurgery colleagues, Dr. 224 00:11:19,295 --> 00:11:23,185 John Russin and, uh, microsurgery Plastic Surgery, 225 00:11:23,285 --> 00:11:25,825 Dr. Joe Carey, who are also 226 00:11:26,375 --> 00:11:28,305 very interested in solving our problem 227 00:11:28,375 --> 00:11:31,985 with spinal cord ischemia, which happens as a consequence 228 00:11:32,005 --> 00:11:35,385 of successful aortic repair in a lot of these patients. 229 00:11:36,655 --> 00:11:39,435 So, working with them closely, bringing in 230 00:11:40,215 --> 00:11:42,595 our colleagues from neuroradiology department 231 00:11:42,855 --> 00:11:46,075 to really look at this problem, um, 232 00:11:46,535 --> 00:11:50,795 and neuromodulation expertise with, uh, Dr. Charles Liu, 233 00:11:50,795 --> 00:11:55,245 who also is a scientist not only at a neurosurgeon at, uh, 234 00:11:55,955 --> 00:11:58,535 at USC, but also a scientist at Caltech. 235 00:11:59,205 --> 00:12:00,815 Looking at this problem together 236 00:12:00,835 --> 00:12:02,615 and starting to focus on this and, 237 00:12:02,675 --> 00:12:04,415 and launching this, uh, 238 00:12:04,515 --> 00:12:06,855 multidisciplinary effort has been really exciting. 239 00:12:07,965 --> 00:12:12,585 Um, from technological standpoint, I think our field 240 00:12:12,645 --> 00:12:16,615 of vascular surgery is currently undergoing a 241 00:12:17,665 --> 00:12:19,055 disruptive sort of, um, 242 00:12:19,895 --> 00:12:22,095 paradigm change potentially in our workflow 243 00:12:22,685 --> 00:12:26,655 with this explosion of, um, AI and machine learning. 244 00:12:26,795 --> 00:12:31,175 And so leveraging this, uh, it's going to be key 245 00:12:31,235 --> 00:12:34,735 for our success of our institution and our aortic center. 246 00:12:35,435 --> 00:12:39,215 And so we're looking into different, uh, ways to collaborate 247 00:12:39,215 --> 00:12:42,135 with other, collaborate with other institutions, as well 248 00:12:42,135 --> 00:12:45,135 as leveraging some of the, um, cutting edge, 249 00:12:45,415 --> 00:12:49,055 commercially available, uh, AI technology to bring it in 250 00:12:49,515 --> 00:12:52,855 to our workflow, um, of already very robust, 251 00:12:52,855 --> 00:12:55,375 clinically robust, uh, programs 252 00:12:55,395 --> 00:12:57,455 to optimize our patient care. 253 00:12:59,125 --> 00:13:00,975 - That sounds fascinating, you know, and, 254 00:13:00,975 --> 00:13:02,575 and truly a collaborative effort. 255 00:13:02,655 --> 00:13:04,015 I, as you said, bringing together 256 00:13:04,035 --> 00:13:05,735 so many different specialties 257 00:13:05,735 --> 00:13:09,495 and team members, um, around, you know, different patients 258 00:13:09,495 --> 00:13:12,375 and cases, and, um, it just really is really cool 259 00:13:12,375 --> 00:13:15,375 to see those opportunities, um, and how you've been able to, 260 00:13:16,075 --> 00:13:19,495 or, or are looking at, um, continuing to grow in that space. 261 00:13:19,635 --> 00:13:21,255 So Dr. Ham, thank you so much 262 00:13:21,255 --> 00:13:22,615 for joining us on the podcast today. 263 00:13:22,615 --> 00:13:24,535 This has been really a fascinating discussion 264 00:13:24,535 --> 00:13:26,415 and I look forward to connecting with you again soon. 265 00:13:27,615 --> 00:13:28,405 - Thank you very much.