The Med School Years

27: Payal, M4 at Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine

What do you do when medical school makes you feel disconnected from your purpose? You lean into the "extra" opportunities that others overlook. Join host Deana Golini as she interviews Payal, an M4 at Kansas City University, who transformed her medical education by embracing an OMM Fellowship and a national leadership role with the AAFP. Payal shares the raw reality of her M1 "identity crisis," how she navigated the transition from a Tufts Master’s program to the "10 fire hydrants" of medical school, and why she chose to spend an extra year deepening her osteopathic roots. From painting murals to alleviate burnout to serving as a student delegate in the Congress of Delegates, Payal’s journey is a roadmap for any student looking to bridge the gap between eastern and western medical philosophies. If Payal’s journey provides the clarity you need for your residency path, like this video, share your thoughts in the comments, and subscribe for more insider blueprints for med school success!

26: Chino, 3rd Year MD-PhD Student at Icahn SOM at Mount Sinai

What does it really mean to commit to an eight-year training path? Join host Deana Golini as she interviews Chinoso Nwakama, a third-year MD-PhD student at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, who is currently deep in the research phase of his dual degree. Chinoso (Chino) shares his journey from rural Minnesota to the heart of New York City, explaining how the Flex Grad pipeline program allowed him to bypass the MCAT and focus on his passion for addiction research. He discusses the "double privilege" of wearing two hats, clinician and researcher, and how he maintains his medical knowledge while solely focused on molecular lab work. From running half-marathons in Central Park to his deep love for history, Chinoso’s story is a masterclass in enjoying the process of a long-term training path. If Chinoso’s journey provides the clarity you need for your residency path, like this video, share your thoughts in the comments, and subscribe for more insider blueprints for med school success! What You’ll Learn: * The MD-PhD "Why": Understanding the utility of dual degrees in translational medicine. * Bypassing the MCAT: How Mount Sinai’s Flex Grad program provides an early assurance pathway for researchers. * Addiction & Public Health: Chinoso’s research into substance use disorders and the neurodegeneration caused by chronic opioid use. * The "Two Hats" Philosophy: Navigating the identity shift between seeing patients in the ED and working at the molecular level. * Maintaining Clinical Edge: Strategies for keeping medical knowledge fresh during a 4-year PhD hiatus. * The Humanities Connection: Why a passion for History and science outreach makes for a more well-rounded physician.

25: Ashley, M2 at New York Medical College

What do you do when your medical school dreams and personal life collide? You master the art of disciplined organization. Join host Deana Golini as she interviews Ashley Abing, an M2 at New York Medical College, who just balanced the academic intensity of second year with her own wedding weekend. Ashley, an alumna of the Brown University Master’s in Medical Sciences, shares how she transitioned from a first-generation immigrant household to Johns Hopkins and eventually NYMC. She dives into her chance discovery of Ophthalmology during her gap year, her strategy for managing "Ophthalmic" research, and how her Master’s program provided the academic "blueprint" to survive medical school didactics. If you’re wondering how to maintain your identity, your relationships, and your grades all at once, Ashley’s story is your masterclass. If Ashley’s journey provides the clarity you need for your residency path, like this video, share your thoughts in the comments, and subscribe for more insider blueprints for med school success! Explore additional resources: Main website: https://medschoolyears.com [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3hLRm9pNGluS1hoWnk3RXotczVHRlJPRzhYQXxBQ3Jtc0tuNGhDcENNUG1jSG9aQl91NlF6VEFhS04wY1R0ZE1EaEpyVEJWZ011THd3Q0hnSzRPNzFHRmR0eGt2NEFPSVBYdktBUGFMQmRZYlpMV1FUbk9JWE9aVTlpeF9oWXRSb1VaYVBUQ3VzcGFMNU9ZWVpTcw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fmedschoolyears.com%2F&v=zvIjV6qleJE] Apply to be on the podcast: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbnFDYzdfZVRFTzZxdDVoSkZOOUJ0R21OdC1zd3xBQ3Jtc0tsakZYS2dwMTV6T0Nsam1UTmMxVTlSaWlvV0dRQ3lSNFNhdEk4NUtMb21SUjZzVW9ZVUVsaC1ORDU0bDFiWU5PNnVoR1lwNzJmWWVCbUh4NlZOMXExQWlwY0E2ZUZteXlFREkwYXZNbThfYW5rMWtZVQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fdocs.google.com%2Fforms%2Fd%2Fe%2F1FAIpQLSfL1CLHBpEDJMOtsp7Xx_iX0FTuCaY_jEYodyy2rCV4wxxyAw%2Fviewform&v=zvIjV6qleJE]#MedSchoolYears [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/medschoolyears] #NYMC [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/nymc] #Ophthalmology [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/ophthalmology] #FirstGenMD [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/firstgenmd] #MedSchoolWedding [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/medschoolwedding] #ResidencyPrep [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/residencyprep] #SpecialMastersProgram [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/specialmastersprogram] #WomenInMedicine [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/womeninmedicine]

24: Sheila, M2 at University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine

What do you do when medical school tells you "no" twice? You fight harder. Join host Deana Golini as she interviews Sheila "Shay" Solares, an M2 at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, about her three-cycle journey to the white coat. Sheila shares the reality of being a first-generation student navigating a system she didn't fully understand until her third attempt. From the "grind" in UNE COM’s brand-new Portland facility to founding an interprofessional health screening clinic for the Latinx community, Sheila’s story is a masterclass in perseverance. Learn how her Master's at Brown served as a "refresher" for M1, why she views leadership as "leading leaders," and how her Guatemalan mother’s grit inspired her to never take "no" for an answer. If Shay’s journey provides the clarity you need for your residency path, like this video, share your thoughts in the comments, and subscribe for more insider blueprints for med school success! What You’ll Learn: 1. The emotional toll of multiple application cycles and how to stay motivated after rejection. 2. How to use a Special Master’s Program (SMP) to build the academic skills necessary for medical school success. 3. The "DO Advantage" in New England: Training at the region's only osteopathic medical school. 4. Leadership in Action: Revitalizing the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) and building interprofessional clinics. 5. Navigating "Specs" (Standardized Patient Experiences) and transitioning from medical assistant to the provider role. 6. Cultural competency: The importance of medical Spanish and serving underrepresented communities. Explore additional resources: Main website: https://medschoolyears.com [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbk9HeFNNZFQ1aXVFd24wZ0VhT3dRalVPQ1dYZ3xBQ3Jtc0trTTBYbEFCS0FySHdmaHJzUkJjMUlSUERGUDBvNXAzbHpoWXJlUkdqWExTcFNkTjNoek1MUFNySTh4YVdFdmppZ3RLUGdPSG5TTG94SHpVNk5INWhrTzc1NjVKQ0xwOTdNWGVPelRyTlhzcFR6TmMxWQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fmedschoolyears.com%2F&v=BMpY3cYMN04] Apply to be on the podcast: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbkR3VG1ySVBKWGlaZTRKNFVkYWVrUWZQV0VCUXxBQ3Jtc0trQzY0bU1fTWhsWWZOZzRubW5LOVBVbi0tZnJ0X3Z4cFpldERRMGhPTFNrM1JNN1ZKUTdIZGM5SEdmemd4WklEX0ZmdG9WMmJsOThKZk5hUGlnZWoxMVV0Z09wbGh6UUpJa0RHRGVZQ05GZVFZbGJ5Yw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fdocs.google.com%2Fforms%2Fd%2Fe%2F1FAIpQLSfL1CLHBpEDJMOtsp7Xx_iX0FTuCaY_jEYodyy2rCV4wxxyAw%2Fviewform&v=BMpY3cYMN04]#MedSchoolYears [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/medschoolyears] #UNECOM [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/unecom] #DOstudent [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/dostudent] #FirstGenMD [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/firstgenmd] #ResidencyPrep [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/residencyprep] #MedicalSchoolInspiration [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/medicalschoolinspiration] #LMSA [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/lmsa] #NonTradMD [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/nontradmd]

23: Ishan, M4 at Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine

Is a three-year Internal Medicine residency just a stepping stone, or the foundation of your career? Join host Deana Golini as she interviews Ishan Gupta, an M4 at the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, about his hyper-focused path toward a Cardiovascular Fellowship. Ishan shares the blueprint for navigating an osteopathic medical curriculum that included a staggering 120 exams in two years. He discusses the transition from a specialized SMP at Brown University to clinical rotations across the Phoenix "DO-friendly" hub. Learn how he leveraged a leadership role in the American College of Physicians (ACP) to build residency credibility and why he believes the "DO stigma" is rapidly disappearing in competitive internal medicine circles. Whether you are a DO student aiming for a competitive fellowship or an M1 looking for the best way to network within a state chapter, Ishan’s strategic approach provides the actionable steps you need. If Ishan’s journey provides the clarity you need for your residency path, like this video, share your thoughts in the comments, and subscribe for more insider blueprints for med school success!