Mary L. Brandt, MD, MDiv serves as Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Surgery, Pediatrics, and Medical Ethics at Baylor College of Medicine in the Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy. During her long career as a pediatric surgeon she cared for the full spectrum of surgical problems in children, with particular expertise in caring for children with biliary atresia, achalasia, necrotizing enterocolitis, and pediatric dialysis access.
An established and successful clinical researcher, Dr. Brandt has published more than 245 peer reviewed publications, 26 chapters and 2 books. Dr. Brandt is also known nationally and internationally as an educator and mentor and has received numerous teaching and leadership awards. Among her many roles in education, she served as a General Surgery Program Director and Dean of Student Affairs at Baylor College of Medicine. This work led to her growing expertise in belonging and the epidemic of healer distress in our country and around the world. To better understand and write about these issues, she pursued a Master of Divinity degree, graduating in June 2021 from Iliff School of Theology. As a result, Dr. Brandt speaks and writes regularly on identifying and correcting systemic issues in medicine and the importance of meaning to heal those who heal others. In recognition of her leadership and contributions, in 2023 she was awarded the Ladd Medal, the most prestigious award in American pediatric surgery.
Selected publications from PubMed
Workload and Perceived Burden From a National Survey of Surgeons.
Sumra S, Margasahayam AS, Li TM, Shroff YV, Knuttila LM, Prosser RMC, Anand S, Gonzales PA, Lee C, Brandt ML, O'Neill PJ, Sutherland MJ, Hu YY, Turner P, Sullins VF, Lebares CC
JAMA Surg. 2026 Sep 2 doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2026.3853.
Long-term study retention of adolescents undergoing metabolic and bariatric surgery: lessons learned from the Teen-Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery cohort.
Rode JB, Ogle SB, Khoury JC, Allen DL, Black J, Miller R, Michalsky MP, Jenkins TM, Brandt ML, Figueroa A, DeTella M, Ryder JR, Inge TH
Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2026 May;22(5):517-524 doi: 10.1016/j.soard.2026.01.011.
A Framework for Managing Moral Challenges Related to Health Policy for the Surgeon.
Mannava SV, Shakhsheer BA, Statter M, Perrone EE, Brandt ML, Stehr W, Knod JL, Buchmiller TL, Henry MC, Berdan EA, Hu YY, Gow KW, Baerg J
J Am Coll Surg. 2025 Sep 1;241(3):524-529 doi: 10.1097/XCS.0000000000001361.
Peer Support to Promote Surgeon Well-being: The APSA Program Experience.
Fall F, Hu YY, Walker S, Baertschiger R, Gaffar I, Saltzman D, Stylianos S, Shapiro J, Wieck M, Buchmiller T, Brandt ML, Tracy T, Heiss K, Berman L
J Pediatr Surg. 2024 Sep;59(9):1665-1671 doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2023.12.022.
Drivers of distress and well-being amongst pediatric surgeons.
Rialon KL, Mueller C, Ottosen M, Weintraub AS, Coakley B, Brandt ML, Heiss K, Berman L
J Pediatr Surg. 2021 May;56(5):841-848 doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2021.01.001.
For generations, the culture of surgery has been defined by stoicism and endurance, often obscuring the profound personal toll exacted on the workforce. Today, however, the profession faces a silent epidemic: high rates of burnout, the insidious impact of microaggressions, and alarming statistics regarding surgeon suicide are symptoms of a systemic need for change. Addressing the mental health crisis in surgery is no longer a matter of individual resilience; it is an institutional responsibility and a critical component of patient safety. Moving from stigma to support requires a fundamental shift in how surgical teams interact, lead, and care for one another. On December 16th at 8 AM EST, AIS brings together a distinguished international faculty to explore these critical challenges and define a path forward. Led by Dr. Mary L. Brandt and Prof. Steven D. Wexner, the program features expert perspectives from Dr. Mochamad Nataliansyah on the hidden impact of bullying, Dr. Tasha M. Hughes on actionable strategies for suicide prevention, Dr. Marisha Burden on the environmental factors shaping mental health, and Dr. Harry T. Papaconstantinou on building psychological safety in the OR. This program is designed to break the silence and equip the surgical community with the tools to build a safer, more sustainable culture.
With Johnson & Johnson MedTech
Published
Dec 2025
The demands of modern surgery extend far beyond technical skill and medical expertise. Surgeons operate under immense pressure, balancing precision, endurance, and emotional resilience in high-stakes environments. However, optimizing their effectiveness requires more than mastery inside the operating room—it calls for intentional wellness strategies that support focus, motivation, emotional intelligence, and ethical decision-making.
With Johnson & Johnson MedTech
Published
Mar 2025
Diversity in Surgery, Inclusion is a Choice (and it's about belonging) and Justice
With American College of Surgeons
Published
Sep 2023
Since the advent of the first surgical procedures, surgeons have always focused on the health of their patients. Unfortunately, they have not traditionally assessed and proactively worked to maintain the own wellbeing. Thankfully, in recent years surgeons have realized that surgeon wellness helps ensure patient wellness. In this program, the American College of Surgeons, in collaboration with Ariadne Labs, examined in detail a range of wellness topics, including an overall philosophy and approach and specific initiatives to help ensure success. The critical areas of mentorship, program development, peer support, coaching, surgical culture, equity, and resilience are all discussed by renowned experts who will offer implementable solutions for individual surgeons, surgical departments, and institutions.
With Johnson & Johnson MedTech
Published
Jul 2022
Help your network discover Dr. Mary L. Brandt's clinical expertise.
