Prospectivedoctor | Helping You Achieve Your Medical School Dreams | Amcas | Mcat

Dr. Erkeda DeRouen talks to Dr. Sejal Desai, a family medicine physician with over 20 years of experience with a board certification in obesity medicine. They discuss how medical students can navigate their med school journeys and the feeling of burnout, work-life balance, and the three things she wished   [00:00] Introduction [03:19] A Med Student’s Life Journey [05:44] Navigating Burnout [11:44] Three Things Dr. Desai Wishes She Knew Before Starting Out [17:45] Is Work-Life Balance Possible? [21:04] What Dr. Desai Would Change About US Healthcare [22:47] Parting Thoughts  Navigating Burnout Dr. Desai dislikes the word “burnout” especially in medicine where physicians are just simply told what to do. She believes that it’s important for med students to take some time, focus on themselves, and figure out what it is that they really want. She cites Jay Shetty, a motivational speaker, and the concept of “dharma” as an important learning, which is all about figuring out our place in the world and using our gif

Dr. Erkeda DeRouen talks to Dr. Susan Baumgaertel, an internal medicine physician with 30 years of experience and founder of MenopauseMenu and myMDadvocate. They discuss menopause lessons for medical students, things everybody should know about menopause, and why men need to know about menopause too.   [00:00] Introduction [02:20] Menopause - The Forgotten Branch of Medicine [02:51] How Students Can Learn to Work with Women in Menopause [06:27] The Benefits of Listening to Your Patients [07:10] How to Educate Patients About the Different Stages of Menopause [09:16] Ways to Ask For More Time From Your Doctor [11:36] Dr. Baumgaertel’s Book - The Menopause Menu [16:14] Men Need to Know About Menopause Too [19:39] What Dr. Baumgaertel Would Change About US Healthcare [22:10] Parting Thoughts  Menopause is More Than Hot Flashes Dr. Baumgaertel emphasizes that menopause is often seen through a narrow lens, focusing solely on hot flashes. However, she challenges this narrative, urging us to recognize the multiface

Dr. Erkeda DeRouen talks to Dr. Uché Blackstock, an American emergency physician and former associate professor of emergency medicine at the New York University School of Medicine. They discuss the Flexner Report, the need for diversity in healthcare, and the deep inequities that still exist in the U.S. healthcare system. [00:00] Introduction [01:45] Why Dr. Blackstock Chose to Pursue Medicine [04:21] The Racial Health Inequities in America Today [07:34] Dr. Blackstock’s Inspiration For Writing a Book on Health Inequities  [09:19] What is the Flexner Report?  [12:13] The Need Diversity in Healthcare [15:15] All the Things They Don’t Teach in Med School [18:34] Things That Could Potentially Improve American Healthcare [22:50] Giving Women and People of Color a Voice  [24:09] Advice for Aspiring Physicians  [25:10] Parting Thoughts  Navigating Unconventional Paths in Medicine Dr. Blackstock talks about the benefits of following the unconventional path on your journey to medicine. Your journey will not be a st

Dr. Erkeda DeRouen talks to Dr. Amit Pandey, an Internal Medicine Hospitalist with SRS Medical Group in San Diego, California. They discuss all you need to know about the life of a physician, the benefits of being adaptable to change, and why every physician remembers their first code blue.  [00:00] Introduction [01:45] Who is Dr. Amit Pandey [03:56] The Life of a Physician  [06:19] Memorable Moments in Dr. Pandey’s Career [09:20] Do You Remember Your First Code Blue? [12:15] What Dr. Pandey Wishes He Knew Before Becoming a Physician [15:45] The Benefits of Being Adaptable and Open to Change [17:40] What Dr. Pandey Would Do Different If He Could Go Back in Time [21:15] Parting Thoughts  The Pre-Med Paradox Dr. Pandey recently penned a book titled "The Pre-Med Paradox: What You Need to Know About the Life of a Physician." The book aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the medical journey, from pre-med through residency, and becoming a physician. He shares the motivation for writing the book and ho

Dr. Erkeda DeRouen talks to Dr. Bryan Carmody, a pediatric nephrologist at Eastern Virginia Medical School. They discuss the value of standardized test scores, the ultra-competitive nature of the residency admissions process, and the benefits of having an open mind in your journey to medicine.  [00:00] Introduction [01:37] Who is Dr. Bryan Carmody [02:54] The Benefits of Having an Open Mind in Your Journey to Medicine [05:52] All You Need to Know About the USMLE Selection Process [07:50] Why Residency Matching is Becoming More Competitive [11:01] Residency Match Explained  [13:59] Addressing the Pediatric Subspecialty Shortage [16:15] What Dr. Carmody Would Change About Healthcare [18:34] Parting Thoughts  Pivoting Specialties: Your Pediatrician's Tale You probably already know this, but your medical journey is not linear. You might end up pursuing a career different from what you thought you’d do. Dr. Carmody made an unexpected shift from internal medicine to pediatrics. He emphasizes the importance of sta

Dr. Erkeda DeRouen talks to Dr. Stacy Cary-Thompson, a board-certified pediatrician and founder of Cary Cares Parenting LLC. They discuss the benefits of knowing your learning style, what you need to know about a neuroscience career, and how to build a fulfilling life outside medicine.  [00:00] Introduction [01:37] Who is Dr. Stacy Cary-Thompson? [02:26] Dr. Cary-Thompson's Journey to Medicine [06:45] The Benefits of Knowing the Type of Learner You Are [09:20] Why Dr. Cary-Thompson Chose a Career in Neuroscience [15:46] Family Issues and Taking Care of Her Grandmother [20:13] Things Dr. Cary-Thompson Wished She Knew About the Medical Profession [24:49] It's Okay to Ask For Help [27:49] Why You Need to be Strategic About What You Do Post-Residency [31:20] The Inspiration Behind Dr. Cary-Thompson Book The Fine Print [35:10] Parting Thoughts  Living Life Outside Medicine Dr. Cary-Thompson starts the conversation by emphasizing the importance of embracing life beyond the confines of medicine. We live in a world

Dr. Erkeda DeRouen talks to Scott Becker, the Founder of Becker’s Healthcare, a leading healthcare media company that offers news, analysis, and guidance relating to the healthcare industry. They discuss the trending topics in American healthcare, the benefits of having hobbies outside of medicine, and the significant problems with the U.S. healthcare system.  [00:00] Introducing Scott Becker  [02:44] The Journey to Launching Becker's Healthcare [04:50] What You Must Do to Succeed in Your Journey to Medicine [07:38] Don't Let Medicine Define Who You Are [09:48] The Hottest Topics in Healthcare Right Now [13:37] What Scott Would Change About Healthcare [16:37] The Big Gap in the American Healthcare System [19:52] Parting Thoughts The Journey to Medicine Medicine is one of the most challenging yet rewarding career paths in the world. And although the journey is not always a straight line, Scott reveals the three mindsets that will help you become the very best at what you do.   1. Be Clear About Where You're

Dr. Erkeda DeRouen talks to Dr. Gina Blocker, an emergency medicine physician and CEO of Dash Health, Houston’s premier concierge mobile urgent care service. They discuss the future of emergency medicine, the unique challenges for women in medicine, and how to build a strong relationship with your patients.  [00:00] Introducing Dr. Gina Blocker [01:22] Why Dr. Blocker Took the Military Medicine Route [04:59] Dr. Blocker’s Journey to Emergency Medicine [07:30] Advice For Medical Students on the Journey to Becoming a Physician [09:58] The Unique Challenges Plaguing Women in Medicine [15:07] Launching Houston’s Premier Concierge Mobile Urgent Care Service [18:05] The Evolution of Emergency Medicine [19:20] What Dr. Blocker Would Change About Healthcare [21:35] Parting Thoughts How to Build a Strong Relationship with Your Patients Healthcare is changing. Gone are the days when patients did not have relationships with their doctors. Today, the patient-doctor relationship is crucial to the overall care experience

Dr. Erkeda DeRouen talks to Dr. Jeffery SooHoo, the Assistant Dean of Admissions at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. They talk about how to put your best foot forward in applications and how to survive your first year in medical school. [00:47] Introducing Dr. Jeffery SooHoo [03:13] Adjusting to Medical School [09:56] Best Way to Impress Medical School Admissions  [13:16] Reapplying to Med Schools [15:05] Advice for Pre-Meds and Medical Students [16:30] What Dr. SooHoo Would Change About Healthcare The First Year of Medical School Majority of students are taken aback by how challenging medical school can be. The first year of medical school is definitely an adjustment period where you may need to adopt new study habits or learning styles. A mistake that new students make is that they don’t ask for help soon enough. Teachers and peers can provide helpful resources that students can utilize. It’s a time to experiment and try new things, but do so one at a time.  Increase Your Chances of Acceptan

Dr. Erkeda DeRouen talks to Dr Dallas Reed, the Division Chief of Genetics and Director of Perinatal Genetics at Tufts Medical Center. They discuss all you need to know about genetics and becoming a geneticist, why health equity is important in medicine, and the future of genetic research.  [00:00] Introducing Dr. Dallas Reed [01:22] Why Dr. Reed Chose to Pursue Medical Genetics [06:24] Career Pathways in the Field of Genetics [08:20] The Three Types of Genetic Laboratories [11:40] Advice for Students Interested in Genetics [13:32] Health Equity and Why It’s Important  [16:31] The Genetics of Cancer [18:01] Why We Need More Community Partnerships For Genetic Research [19:20] What Dr. Reed Would Change About Healthcare [23:00] Navigating the Politics of Medicine [25:50] Parting Thoughts How Dr. Reed Became a Geneticist Dr. Reed's journey into genetics began with a deeply personal experience within her own family. Her brother was born prematurely with a life-threatening chromosomal abnormality. He died at fou

Dr. Erkeda DeRouen talks to Brett Riggins, a speaker, author, investor, and founder of Connect Home Buyers and Physician Wealth Systems. They discuss the benefits of having a great mindset in medicine, why physicians should learn about real estate investing, and how to surround yourself with the right people.  [00:00] Introducing Brett Riggins [03:32] Brett's Journey to Real Estate [05:59] Why You Need to Have a Basic Understanding of Real Estate [08:46] The Mindset You Need to Succeed as a Physician [11:35] Are You Taking Advantage of All the Opportunities in Your Life? [16:32] Change "I Cannot" to "How Can I" [18:37] To Succeed, Surround Yourself With The Right People [20:20] What Brett Would Change About Healthcare [24:30] Insurance and Why We Must Restructure the Healthcare System [26:58] Be Proactive, Not Reactive [28:09] Parting Thoughts The Mindset You Need to Succeed as a Physician You need a great mindset to succeed in all aspects of life, not just medicine. As a physician, especially early in your

In this episode, which premiered on 10/31/2023, I talked with Erkeda DeRouen (MD) about her passion for merging the humanistic aspect of medicine with the new field of emerging technology. Erkeda shared her experience working in a healthtech startup company in the early days of telemedicine, going into full time business for herself as a healthcare consultant, and her non-profit leadership role in helping women & non-binary adults learn software development skills. Erkeda and I also talked at length about her thoughts on emerging technology's ability to improve healthcare for all and how she plans to revolutionize health care with community, collaboration, and cybernetics through The Pace Makerz organization. This is a conversation you won't want to miss!   KEEP IN TOUCH

Dr. Erkeda DeRouen talks to Dr. Aubrey Grant, a trailblazing clinical sports cardiologist and co-founder of Equity Commons. They discuss the rising cases of cardiac arrest among athletes and how medics can tackle implicit bias in healthcare.  [00:45] Introducing Dr. Aubrey Grant [03:50] The Journey to Medicine [05:28] Sudden Cardiac Arrest Among Athletes [07:35] Why We All Need to Learn Basic CPR [08:52] Bias Training at Equity Commons [13:54] Be Open to Trying New Things  [16:50] The Benefits of Having a Personal Board of Directors [20:55] What Dr. Grant Would Change About Healthcare [22:49] Advice For Medical Students on Addressing Implicit Bias [26:44] Parting Thoughts Implicit Bias in Healthcare The medical profession aims to provide equal treatment for all patients. Unfortunately, disparities will always exist. We all come from different cultural backgrounds, and we all carry biases. Implicit biases are the ones people are unaware of. You may think you're treating everyone equally, but your implicit bi

Dr. Erkeda DeRouen talks to Dr. Gary Epler, an internationally-known Harvard Medical School professor and the CEO of Epler Health. They talk about Dr. Epler’s discovery of Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia, and lessons medical students can take away from his journey. [01:00] Introducing Dr. Gary Epler [04:31] Go to Medical School for the Right Reasons [10:16] Discovering Epler’s Pneumonia [15:58] Innovation in Medicine [22:38] Think from the Heart Dr. Gary Epler’s Medical Journey The decision to go into medicine is going to be different for each person. Dr. Epler was inspired to become a physician so he can improve patients’ lives. His journey had a rough start, with his application rejected by several medical schools. But with enough perseverance, he was able to enter Tulane University’s School of Medicine. The life of a medical student is full of challenges, but Dr. Epler faced those head on because he was eager to learn.  During his pulmonary critical care training, Dr. Epler took up an inter

Dr. Erkeda DeRouen talks to Dr. Ruth Arumala, a board certified OB-GYN and cosmetic surgeon. They talk about advocating for women’s health and tips to get through the first few years of med school.  [00:45] Introducing Dr. Ruth Arumala [01:46] How to Advocate for Women’s Health [07:04] Pretty in Pink Podcast [11:59] Tips for Adjusting to Med School [22:01] What Dr. Arumala Would Change About Healthcare Advocating for Women’s Healthcare Physicians can better advocate for women’s health by seeing patients in their entirety, not just as body parts. In any specialty, doctors need to look out for the whole person. Majority of the time, women receive excellent healthcare only when they are pregnant. Young girls feel confused about the changes in their body while older women feel discarded after menopause. Women typically take on a caregiving role. So when they are healthy and supported, the rest of the population will be too.  Tips for Starting Your Medical Journey In everything you do, always remember why you st

Dr. Erkeda DeRouen talks to Dr. Megan Osborn, the Associate Dean for Students at UC Irvine School of Medicine. They talk about how students can excel in medical school and in their clinical years.  [00:55] Introducing Dr. Megan Osborn [01:45] The Advantages of Taking a Gap Year [04:21] Qualities of a Successful Applicant [07:28] Thriving in Medical School [13:11] Transitioning to the Clinical Years [18:10] What Dr. Osbon Would Change About Medical Education Should You Take a Gap Year? It's hard to make up for a low GPA, so students should focus on academics while in school. Taking a gap year or two is beneficial so you can build your resume with clinical experiences and other activities. Applying to medical school during a gap year allows you to focus on the process while strengthening your resume. Gap years provide the perfect opportunity for you to explore and figure out what you truly want.  How to Thrive in Medical School Humility is a quality that can certainly help medical students thrive. Accepted a

Dr. Erkeda DeRouen talks to Wojtek Dolkowski, the co-founder and CEO of MEDtube. They talk about MEDtube as a learning resource and the best way for students to use the platform.  [01:06] What is MEDtube? [07:16] Learning on MEDtube [12:04] How to access MEDtube About MEDtube MEDtube is a social e-learning platform for physicians and healthcare professionals. The images, videos, courses, and documents are uploaded by physicians, clinicians, and other field experts. Anonymous posts are not permitted, to guarantee the credibility of the resources. Each piece of content is carefully curated to make sure it is scientifically sound.  MEDtube for Medical Students and Learners Educators have already started using the platform in their lectures and have recommended it to their students. The clinical cases on MEDtube can be used for homework, additional learning, or even as discussion points. Students can also use the MEDtube platform to help them anticipate how clinical rotations will go.  Join MEDtube for Free Go to

Dr. Erkeda DeRouen talks to Andrea O’Brien, the Director of Residential Admissions at A.T. Still University. They talk about communicating your why in medical school applications and the mistakes to avoid. [00:57] Introducing Andrea O’Brien [02:27] Ways to Stand Out as a Med School Applicant  [08:21] Med School Application Mistakes [17:25] A.T. Still University’s Waitlist System [19:09] When to Submit Your Medical School Application [22:51] What Andrea O’Brien Would Change About Healthcare Know Your Why for Pursuing Medicine Medicine is a difficult profession, so schools would like to see your authenticity and passion come through your application. Accumulating experience over the long term can really set you apart from other applicants. Medical schools want to see that you’ve been preparing for it not just in the last few months. Community service and cultural competency are also things you want to highlight in your resume. “Know Your Why” by Simon Sinek is a book that can help you communicate your motive

Dr. Erkeda DeRouen talks to Dimple Patel, the Associate Dean of Admissions at the University of Minnesota Medical School. They talk about the deliberation process for accepting applicants into medical school. [01:04] Introducing Dimple Patel [01:46] How Medical Schools Deliberate [07:18] Showcase Your Core Competencies [09:41] Tips for Waitlisted Applicants [13:17] What Dimple Patel Would Change About Healthcare Transparency in Medical Schools’ Admissions Process When applicants are rejected, they often feel like they’re not qualified to become medical students. In reality, there are a lot of factors that affect admissions. For example, the University of Minnesota Medical School allocates 80% of its slots for Minnesota residents, and the remaining 20% for non-residents. As a result, non-resident applicants face much stiffer competition.  Each school will have its own criteria and mission that will influence their deliberation process. Applicants would be able to increase their chances of acceptance if they

Dr. Erkeda DeRouen talks to Deanna Hughes, the Director of Admissions at A.T. Still University. They talk about building a competitive medical school application and the faux pas to avoid. [01:01] Introducing Deanna Hughes [02:51] How Competitive are Medical School Applications? [06:02] Strengthen Your Med School Application [12:27] What NOT to Do in Your Application [15:23] What Deanna Hughes Would Change About Healthcare Limited Admissions into Medical School At A.T. Still University, the most number of applicants they've received is from 8,000 students. However, they only have 150 available slots. The admissions process is very competitive, so most students would do well to start preparing as early as high school or college. Non-traditional applicants are also encouraged to apply, as medical schools also value diversity. How to Build a Strong Portfolio Each medical school has its own unique mission statement. Before anything else, students should choose schools that align with their own values and missio