In today’s episode, I talk with Carrie, who is 36 years old as she is finishing her 1st year in medical school. Carrie shares with us her very nontraditional path into medicine, coming from a corporate world and being married with three daughters. She also talks about the power of surrounding herself with like-minded individuals through OldPreMeds . Links and Other Resources Full Episode Blog Post Check out my Premed Playbook series of books (available on Amazon) , with installments on the perso...
Apr 23, 2014•44 min•Ep. 74
In today’s episode, Ryan talks with Jordan, a member of the Academy and a nontraditional student starting medical school this Fall. In his undergrad years, he was a student athlete and started as a premed. He tried looking into other career fields yet he kept coming back to medicine. Today, Jordan shares his experiences, why he ultimately decided to pursue medicine, and getting sidetracked after o-Chem. Learn about the thought processes Jordan used which you can also apply to your own situation....
Apr 07, 2014•40 min•Ep. 73
In today’s episode, Ryan talks with Dr. Al Sandra, Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President of Development Sciences at Biogen Idec where he oversees clinical development in neurological and immunological diseases, global regulatory affairs, global safety and benefit risk management, global clinical development operations and biometrics. Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post If you need any help with the medical school interview, go to medschoolinterviewbook.com . Sign up and y...
Apr 07, 2014•38 min•Ep. 72
Ryan and Allison bust some myths and point out several inaccuracies in many TV doctor shows. They also paint some pictures of what real life is really like for a physician during residency and as an attending physician. Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post If you need any help with the medical school interview, go to medschoolinterviewbook.com . Sign up and you will receive parts of the book so you can help shape the future of the book. This book will include over 500 questions that...
Apr 02, 2014•45 min•Ep. 71
In today’s episode, Ryan and Allison talk about family meetings, in line with last week’s podcast about end-of-life care, and specifically how you’re going to communicate that during a family meeting and how to best set up family meetings. Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post Session 69: Palliative Care – There is Always Something You Can Provide If you need any help with the medical school interview, go to medschoolinterviewbook.com . Sign up and you will receive parts of the book ...
Mar 25, 2014•34 min•Ep. 70
In today’s episode, Ryan and Allison talk about end-of-life care, which can affect everybody in medicine, whichever point of the medical career path you’re in, especially as a resident and a practicing physician wherein you will be encountering patients who are moving forward or at their end-of-life that involves a lot of medical care that really needs to be addressed. Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post New England Journal of Medicine 2010 article: Early Palliative Care for Patien...
Mar 18, 2014•34 min•Ep. 69
Dr. Benjamin Chan is the Assistant Dean of Admissions at the University of Utah School of Medicine and currently works as an inpatient attending physician at the University of Utah Neuropsychiatric Institute (UNI). He is also the host of the podcast Talking Admissions and Med Student Life . Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post Dr. Chan’s Bio University of Utah School of Medicine Check out Dr. Benjamin Chan’s podcast Talking Admissions and Med Student Life If you need any help with t...
Mar 08, 2014•40 min•Ep. 68
In today’s episode, I talk with Dr. Jose Cavazos , the Assistant Dean of the MD/PhD Program at The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio . He is also the Program Director for clinical neurophysiology (a fellowship in neurology). Links and Other Resources Full Episode Blog Post Check out my Premed Playbook series of books (available on Amazon) , with installments on the personal statement , the medical school interview , and the MCAT . Related episode: Army Vet, Mom of 3, Wanted ...
Mar 04, 2014•50 min•Ep. 67
In this episode, Ryan talks with Cheri, an athlete in undergrad who went to Stanford Medical School and is currently in fellowship training at Harvard. Cheri is also an accomplished Paralympic wheelchair racer who has bagged a number of medals for our country. Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post Check out this YouTube video about Cheri: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZrqIGxhFt8 Session 62: Allison’s Story – When the Doctor Becomes the Patient If you need any help with the medical ...
Feb 25, 2014•50 min•Ep. 66
In this episode, I talk with Alec Lee, a former premed and co-founder of M Prep. We discuss the most common MCAT questions they receive, including how many months and hours to study for the MCAT. Links and Other Resources Full Episode Blog Post Check out my Premed Playbook series of books (available on Amazon) , with installments on the personal statement , the medical school interview , and the MCAT . Related episode: Common MCAT Prep Mistakes and How to Avoid Them . Related episode: Which MCAT...
Feb 19, 2014•43 min•Ep. 65
In today’s episode, Ryan talks with Dr. Ginger Campbell, host of the Brain Science Podcast . Presently, Ginger is also an ER doctor in Alabama. Aside from talking about her awesome podcast, Ginger also shares her experiences relating to her path into medicine, some challenges, and her golden nuggets of wisdom for new and upcoming doctors. Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post The Premed Years Podcast Session 063: PA to DO – What Route Should YOU Take and Questions to Ask Brain Scienc...
Feb 11, 2014•48 min•Ep. 64
In today’s episode, Ryan talks with Dr. Mark Kauffman, the Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), who was previously a PA. Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post If you are currently a PA, check out LECOMs Accelerated Physician Assistant Pathway . Related episode: Physician vs PA: How Do I Decide Which Is Best? Related episode: Questions About Transitioning from PA to MD/DO Need MCAT Prep? Save on tutoring, classes, and full-length pra...
Feb 05, 2014•37 min•Ep. 63
In this episode, Ryan and Allison talk about what it’s like when the doctor becomes the patient. Specifically, Allison shares her personal story of being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, its impact on her practice and her family, and the most important lessons learned. Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post Session 047: Avoiding Burnout as a Premed, Med Student, and Beyond Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America Team Challenge Leah4Sci.com – Organic Chemistry Resources & Tutoring...
Jan 28, 2014•51 min•Ep. 62
In today’s episode, Ryan talks with Rebekah Costello, a 4th-year medical student at Midwestern University Chicago – College of Osteopathic Medicine, and author of a blog at doctorandmom.blogspot.com . Rebekah shares with us her medical school experience as nontraditional student who went through seven different higher-education institutions before finally landing at the school she’s at. Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post Mothers in Medicine blog OldPreMeds Podcast Related episode:...
Jan 22, 2014•43 min•Ep. 61
In today’s episode, Ryan talks with Ajay Major and Aleena Paul, both 2nd year medical students at Albany Medical College. They went to Union College for undergrad where the got accepted to the school’s Leadership in Medicine Program, which is a combined BS/MBA/MD program – Yes, 3 degrees in 8 years! Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post www.turntablehealth.com www.zdoggmd.com Session 29: Interview with ZDoggMD, Yes – He is a Real Doctor Go say hi to Ajay and Aleena on Twitter and say...
Jan 14, 2014•44 min•Ep. 60
In this episode, Ryan talks with Bryan Schnedeker, the Academic Director at Next Step Test Prep and the National Director for their MCAT Programs. Today, we talk about MCAT retakes, what it exactly means to retake the MCAT, things to consider, and assessing what went wrong with the first MCAT you took. Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post Official website for AAMC practice tests Need MCAT Prep? Save on tutoring, classes, and full-length practice tests by using promo code “MSHQ” for ...
Jan 08, 2014•49 min•Ep. 59
In this episode, Ryan is joined by Allison. As the new year ushers in, they talk about the highlights of 2013, some things they’ve missed, and some exciting things to come moving forward. Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post Episode mentions: Session 19 – Interview with a Medical School Interview and Admissions Expert Session 7 – 10 Traits You Need to Succeed in Medical School Session 17 – Step Up Your MCAT Prep with The Princeton Review Session 32 – Top 7 Things You Should Know as ...
Dec 31, 2013•42 min•Ep. 58
In today’s episode, Ryan and Allison talk about a number of relevant resources for premeds, medical students, and residents, whether you’re looking for books to help you prepare for your medical school applications or you simply want to take a breather and read some fun yet insightful books. (Plus, some movie recommendations and what stethoscope to use!) Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post Check out my Premed Playbook series of books (available on Amazon) , with installments on the...
Dec 24, 2013•47 min•Ep. 57
In today’s episode, Ryan talks with Dr. Regina Harrell , an Internal Medicine physician and an assistant professor in the College of Community Health Services at the University of Alabama. She plays a significant role in the geriatric rotation for family medicine residents at the Capstone Village , an awesome place to learn about geriatric care. Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post NPR Article – Why A Patient’s Story Matters More Than A Computer Checklist Regina Harrell, MD Bio The ...
Dec 17, 2013•32 min•Ep. 56
In today’s episode, we talk about how to pick a medical specialty. We cover 5 key things that are instrumental in forming your path and choosing your specialty at whichever point of your journey you may be right now. Links and Other Resources Full Episode Blog Post 12 Medical Specialty Stereotypes Book: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Medical Specialty Medical Specialty Algorithm Related episode: How to Think About Choosing a Residency and Specialty . Need MCAT Prep? Save on tutoring, classes, ...
Dec 10, 2013•53 min•Ep. 55
In today’s episode, Ryan talks with Dr. Sujay Kansagra, an attending pediatric neurologist at Duke Medical Center. He is the author of the top reviewed Everything I Learned in Medical School: Besides All the Book Stuf f , a memoir about his medical school experiences at Duke as well as the author of Why Medicine?: And 500 Other Questions for the Medical School and Residency Interviews . His third book is in the works which will be a comprehensive medical school advice manual for anyone in high s...
Dec 04, 2013•38 min•Ep. 54
In today’s episode, I talk with Dalya Ferguson, a 2nd-year medical student at the University of Texas in Houston who also blogs at The Health Scout Blog . Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post Check out Dalya Ferguson’s blog and Twitter (@HealthScoutBlog) . Related episode: First Year of Medical School for a Nontraditional Premed . Related episode: Premed 101: What You Need to Do to Get into Medical School . Need MCAT Prep? Save on tutoring, classes, and full-length practice tests by...
Nov 25, 2013•46 min•Ep. 53
In this episode, I talk with Alexa Mieses, a 2nd-year medical student at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai . (Update: Alexa is now Dr. Alexa Mieses !) Today, we talk about mentorship, its impact on Alexa’s life and her path into medicine, and why she now passes this onto others as she continues to be a positive influence through mentoring. Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post Alexa’s Website Alexa’s Book: The Heartbeat of Success: A Med Student’s Guide to Med School Admissions...
Nov 19, 2013•42 min•Ep. 52
Today, Jered shares with us his path to medical school specifically the struggles he faced, having to take the MCAT four times, getting into a Caribbean medical school, and having that passion to pursue medicine at all cost. Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post Follow @jeredweinstock Caribbean Medical School Interview Resources PCOM Postbac Program Session 34: #RespectTheMCAT with @PremedP Session 45: 45: 5 Reasons to Go To Medical School, and 5 to Not Save $225 on the Princeton Rev...
Nov 13, 2013•42 min•Ep. 51
This episode marks the 50th session of the podcast, and I start it off by reciting the modern version of the Hippocratic Oath, which is being used in many medical schools today when physicians graduate at the end of medical school. Links and Other Resources Full Episode Blog Post Modern Version of the Hippocratic Oath Check out my Premed Playbook series of books (available on Amazon) , with installments on the personal statement , the medical school interview , and the MCAT Related episode: Inte...
Nov 06, 2013•40 min•Ep. 50
In this Halloween edition of the podcast, Ryan and Allison talk about the scariest stuff they’ve encountered during their path to premed, medical school, residency, and beyond – with most of them coming from first time experiences they’ve had. Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post Save $225 on the Princeton Review’s MCAT Ultimate or MCAT Self-Paced Prep Course through March 30th 2016 by going to www.princetonreview.com/podcast If you need any help with the medical school interview, g...
Oct 29, 2013•33 min•Ep. 49
In this episode, Ryan and Allison bring you an exciting and different format as they jump on Google Hangouts to do a live Q&A session where they answer questions that cover things like extracurriculars, best MCAT prep tips, picking up premed schools, reasons to be a physician, letters of recommendation, and dual degree BS/MD programs and whether they’re worth your time. Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post Session 35: How to Fix an App After Starting Premed Poorly Session 3: Pic...
Oct 23, 2013•55 min•Ep. 48
In this episode, I talk with Dr. Dike Drummond about a common and serious issue in the medical world today— physician burnout . Links and Other Resources Full Episode Blog Post Follow Dr. Drummond on Twitter / blog / Facebook . Article: Burnout and Satisfaction With Work-Life Balance Among US Physicians… Article: Burnout and Suicidal Ideation among U.S. Medical Students Related episode: The Dark Side of Medical Education: Premed Through Residency . Need MCAT Prep? Save on tutoring, classes, and ...
Oct 15, 2013•37 min•Ep. 47
In this episode, we talk about relationships in medical school which include personal relationships, relationships with family and friends, and newly-formed friendships. This is a very important topic to discuss because, in more ways than one, becoming a physician will affect you, and your relationships will change. Links and Other Resources Full Episode Blog Post Check out Sarah Epstein’s book Love in the Time of Medical School: Build a Happy, Healthy Relationship with a Medical Student . Relat...
Oct 08, 2013•34 min•Ep. 46
Should you go to medical school? How do you know if medicine is right for you? In today’s episode, we talk about 5 reasons to go to medical school and 5 reasons to not. Links and Other Resources Full Episode Blog Post Check out my Premed Playbook series of books (available on Amazon) , with installments on the personal statement , the medical school interview , and the MCAT . Related episode: How Do I Know If Medicine Is Right for Me? Related episode: Why You Should Still Consider a Career in Me...
Oct 02, 2013•49 min•Ep. 45
