Intellectualizing Dating: Understanding the Game as a Female Surgeon

This week on Surgeon, Interrupted, host Frances Mei sits down with rising chief resident and ENT surgeon Dr. Shreya Sharma to unpack what it’s really like dating as a woman in medicine. From scrubbing out to swipe fatigue, we talk about the unique challenges of finding love (or even just a decent situationship) while navigating the high-stakes world of surgical training.

We get honest about control issues, time scarcity, and the emotional calculus behind choosing who gets your post-call energy. Why are female surgeons still treated like novelties on dating apps? How do we stay soft when the job demands steel? And is it possible to build something real when your calendar is booked four months out?

This episode isn’t just about dating—it’s about identity, vulnerability, and learning to show up for yourself and someone else in the midst of a career that doesn’t leave much room for either.

Host: Frances Mei Hardin, MD

Guest: Shreya Sharma, MD

Connect with Shreya:

https://www.instagram.com/shreya.sharma.md/

Presented by: The Hippocratic Collective

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