In every culture across time, the Hero’s Journey has served as a timeless narrative — one that speaks to transformation through struggle. Joseph Campbell described this arc as the departure from the familiar, the descent into trial and loss, the initiation that tests the soul, and the return with wisdom and renewal. It’s the shape of nearly every great story — but it’s also the shape of our lives as surgeons.
We’ve all lived this journey. During residency, we stepped out of comfort and into uncertainty — through exhaustion, failure, and discovery — only to return more capable, humble, and aware of our limits. But the journey doesn’t end there. Each day in surgery presents its own miniature hero’s journey.
The Patient’s Journey
Our patients, too, embark on this same arc. They begin with the normalcy of daily life — until pain, infection, or trauma disrupts their path. Suddenly, they’re pulled into unfamiliar territory: fear, anesthesia, surgery, and recovery. We, as surgeons, become their guide. We stand at their side during the descent — through swelling, bleeding, and pain — and help them climb back toward healing and normal life.
If we step back for a moment, we can see how profound that is: every procedure is a small story of courage, loss, and transformation.
The Surgeon’s Journey
But the journey belongs to us as well. Each time we gown up and step into the OR, we embark again. We face uncertainty — no matter how routine the case may seem. We make the incision, navigate through anatomy that doesn’t always behave as expected, manage complications, and guide both patient and team toward safety and success.
With every surgery, we lose something — perhaps a bit of comfort, energy, or illusion of control — but we also gain perspective. Over years, this repetition shapes us: not into heroes, but into guides. Our scars become our wisdom.
When Things Don’t Go as Planned
And what about those moments when the story turns dark — when healing doesn’t go as expected, when complications arise, or when we make a mistake? Those are the moments that truly test the hero. They humble us. They force us to confront who we are beneath the skill and confidence. Yet if we face them honestly, they become the very experiences that deepen our empathy and sharpen our purpose.
Finding Meaning in the Repetition
Research by Eric Dolan in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that people who view their lives through the lens of a hero’s journey experience greater resilience and meaning. That’s not just psychology — it’s truth. When we see each surgical day not as a grind, but as part of a greater pattern of transformation, we reclaim a sense of purpose.
Each incision, each patient, each small victory or setback is part of the story that is shaping us — and shaping the profession.
Closing Thoughts
So the next time you scrub in, pause for a moment. You’re stepping once again into the story. You’ll face uncertainty, pain, and perhaps even loss — but also growth, mastery, and connection. The work we do isn’t just technical. It’s transformational — for our patients, and for ourselves.