Becker’s Healthcare Podcast Dr. Nolan Wessell, Assistant Professor and Well-being Co-Director, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Division of Spine Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Dec 8, 2025
Dr. Nolan Wessell, an assistant professor and well-being co-director at the University of Colorado, shares insights on the evolving challenges in spine surgery. He discusses the significance of AI and robotics in enhancing surgical efficiency and clinician decision-making. Nolan highlights the critical issue of declining reimbursement rates and their impact on healthcare accessibility. He emphasizes the importance of physician advocacy in shaping policies to support both providers and patients in this changing landscape.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Career Path To Colorado Spine Practice
- Nolan Wessell described his training path from Wisconsin to faculty at the University of Colorado after fellowship in 2017.
- He now practices in Highlands Ranch and maintains a smaller academic practice on campus.
Burnout Threatens Orthopedics Capacity
- About 40% of active orthopedic surgeons report burnout symptoms and career prevalence may reach 60–65%.
- Wessell argues faculty well-being programs are essential to prevent early attrition as demand rises.
Prioritize Trainee Work–Life Balance
- Encourage trainees to prioritize work-life balance and model different career expectations across generations.
- Foster environments that support outdoor and personal time to sustain long clinical careers.