Balancing Confidence and Humility as a Surgeon with Dr. Pamela Lee

Dr. Pamela Lee has spent her career making life-or-death decisions in the operating room while carrying the pressure that comes with being one of the few women leading in surgery. As a colorectal surgeon, robotic surgery specialist, and Chair of Surgery at both Sharp Memorial Hospital and Sharp Reese Stealy Medical Group, Pamela operates in environments where mistakes carry enormous weight and everyone is looking to her for answers. This episode of Lonely at the Top is about balancing confidence with humility, navigating the intense pressure of surgery, and learning how to lead ethically in environments shaped by ego, hierarchy, and relentless expectations. Pamela opens up about the terrifying early years of surgery, the emotional toll leadership has taken on her family life, and the moments in the operating room where she’s had to steady herself under overwhelming pressure because “if I lose it, everybody around me loses it.” She also shares powerful insights on female leadership in medicine, the evolution of surgical culture, and why the best surgeons never stop learning. Episode Highlights What it feels like to carry the weight of life-or-death decisions in surgery The hidden emotional toll of leadership in medicine and motherhood Why the first years as a surgeon can feel incredibly isolating Balancing confidence, ego, humility, and vulnerability in the operating room How robotic surgery technology is transforming collaboration and patient care The sacrifices leadership can place on family relationships and emotional bandwidth Why the best leaders and surgeons remain curious and willing to learn Connect with Dr. Pamela Lee Dr. Pamela Lee’s LinkedIn:   / pamela-lee-362b653   ★ Support this podcast ★