Meet Jeff
I am an orthopaedic trauma surgeon in San Diego, Director of Education and a surgeon coach with SurgeonMasters, and the fellowship director of Unite Orthopaedics Foundation.
I have more than 500 hours of one-on-one surgeon coaching experience and 500+ hours of accredited coach training.
You can find my thoughts about the practice of medicine in the SurgeonMasters blog and as the host of the SurgeonMasters Podcast, Life Improvement Strategies for the Surgeon Who Wants More… in 10 Minutes. I also frequently share my perspective in presentations on topics like surgeon wellness, surgeon coaching, and my experience with burnout.
Coaching Specialty: Practice Optimization, Wellness, Work-Life Rhythm
I do what I do to make a major positive impact on other people's lives.
More About Jeff's Why
From the Blog:


How Physician Coaching Supports the Decision-Making Process
Surgeons and physicians are trained to be good decision makers. And we are very good decision makers, but there are plenty of reasons why we


Coaching and Female Resident Physicians: A Conversation
The International Coaching Federation defines coaching as “partnering with Clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional


Improv Skills Physicians Can Use to Improve Their Practices
Physicians are trained to find answers and draft a plan of action. We lead our patients and our teams in pursuit of the best care
Latest News:




Jeff Letter — August 2022
Coach Peers… Consistent with Their Values and Beliefs Hi Community: There are common misconceptions about coaching, and a lot of what I’ve been trying to




Jeff Letter — July 2022
Hi Community: Wow! Physician Improv was awesome! I was a bit unsure of what to expect going in, but it was even more valuable than




Jeff Letter — June 2022
Hi Community: Each of us deals with discomfort differently and each of us finds different things uncomfortable. For example, I am happy to improvise in
From the Podcast:


Routine Capture! – Life improvement strategies for the surgeon who wants more … in 10 minutes – Episode 93
Pump the brakes on your week and take 10 minutes to make your life as a surgeon just a little better… Jeff welcomes to the


Team Debrief! – Life improvement strategies for the surgeon who wants more … in 10 minutes – Episode 92
Pump the brakes on your week and take 10 minutes to make your life as a surgeon just a little better… Jeff welcomes to the


Environmental Culture! – The SurgeonMasters Podcast
Jeff welcomes to the podcast Stuart Slavin MD, MEd – a Senior Scholar for Well-Being at the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The
Letters from Jeff:
Jeff Letter – March 2022
As physicians we’re taught to bury emotions. That may mean our health and well-being can come second to that of our patients. But it doesn’t
Jeff Letter – February 2022
What is it about titles? I have several hang-ups about titles. I don’t want to have my name followed by a bunch of titles. It
Jeff Letter – December 2021
Hi Community, During the holiday season, I reflect on my life and career in a more spiritual way (not necessarily just religious) than I do