Vitals and Voices EP 59

Vitals and Voices EP 61

In the sixty-one episode of Vitals and Voices, we sit down with Johna Joseph, a fourth-year medical student at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine who is preparing to enter the field of radiology. Originally from Haiti and raised in a military family, Johna’s journey has taken him across the world—from growing up in multiple countries to graduating high school in Italy, and eventually pursuing his undergraduate studies at Colgate University as a chemistry major and track and field athlete. Johna shares how his path into medicine was deeply influenced by his mother’s experience with chronic illness. Witnessing her health challenges at a young age shaped his desire to help others and highlighted how profoundly health can impact quality of life. That early motivation has since evolved into a broader understanding of the complexities within the healthcare system and the many ways physicians can create meaningful change. We talk about what keeps Johna grounded and motivated, from his deep appreciation for human connection to the relationships he’s built with patients, peers, and his community. He reflects on the importance of staying curious, embracing the human experience, and recognizing the role we all play in shaping the future of healthcare. Johna is especially passionate about representation in medicine, emphasizing the importance of diversity within the physician workforce and the impact it has on patient care. He speaks candidly about the challenges and misconceptions surrounding diversity in healthcare, and why increasing representation is not just important—but necessary for improving outcomes in underserved communities. Throughout our conversation, Johna highlights one of the accomplishments he is most proud of: completing medical school alongside a community of driven, talented peers who have supported and inspired him every step of the way. For him, this shared journey—learning, growing, and ultimately matching into residency together—has been one of the most meaningful parts of his experience. Beyond medicine, Johna brings a unique perspective as a musician, language enthusiast, and someone who values humor and storytelling, reminding us that being a physician is just one part of a much larger identity. Johna’s story is a powerful reflection of resilience, representation, and the importance of community—showing that medicine is not just about knowledge, but about connection, perspective, and purpose.

Vitals and Voices EP 60

In the sixtieth episode of Vitals and Voices, we had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with Lindsay Krasna, a Brooklyn-based Registered Dietitian and founder of LK Nutrition, a private practice specializing in eating disorders and complicated relationships with food. Through both counseling and leadership, Lindsay has built a practice centered on compassion, inclusivity, and helping people reconnect with food and their bodies in healthier ways. Lindsay shares how her interest in nutrition first began as a competitive basketball player fascinated by the connection between food and athletic performance. Over time, that curiosity expanded into a deeper interest in the emotional, psychological, and social aspects of eating—ultimately leading her toward the field of eating disorder nutrition. We talk about what makes her work so meaningful, from building long-term relationships with clients to creating individualized approaches that support both physical and mental well-being. Lindsay reflects on the privilege of working in a private practice setting, where flexibility and creativity allow her to truly tailor care to each person’s unique needs. Lindsay is especially passionate about eating disorders within the LGBTQ+ community, particularly the ways sexuality, gender identity, body image, and food relationships intersect. As a queer cis woman, she shares how both personal reflection and clinical experience have shaped her understanding of the need for more affirming and inclusive care in this space. She emphasizes that eating disorders disproportionately affect LGBTQ+ individuals and believes healthcare must do more to recognize and address those realities with compassion and nuance. Throughout our conversation, Lindsay speaks about what keeps her motivated through challenging moments: the resilience of her clients, the collaborative support of her team, and the constant evolution of the field itself. Whether witnessing improvements in someone’s physical and mental health or simply offering a safe, nonjudgmental space to talk about food, she finds deep purpose in helping others heal. We also discuss one of the accomplishments she is most proud of—celebrating the 10-year milestone of LK Nutrition. What began in 2014 as a small part-time solo practice has grown into a thriving group practice that has impacted countless lives. For Lindsay, building a career rooted in meaningful work, flexibility, and human connection has been both professionally and personally transformative. Lindsay’s story is a powerful reminder that healthcare is not only about physical wellness, but also about identity, belonging, and the ways compassionate support can help people rebuild their relationships with themselves.

Vitals and Voices EP 59

In the fifty-ninth episode of Vitals and Voices, we sit down with Michele Neskey, a Physician Assistant with more than 20 years of experience in adult medical oncology and the founder of The Posh PA, a platform dedicated to mentoring and empowering future healthcare professionals. Michele shares how her journey into medicine was shaped by a desire for a career that could grow alongside her through different stages of life while still allowing her to make a meaningful impact on patients during some of their most difficult moments. Through years of working in oncology, she developed a deep appreciation for the importance of connection, compassion, and patient-centered care. We talk about what inspired her to expand beyond clinical medicine and create The Posh PA, where she helps pre-PA students navigate the admissions process with confidence and strategy. Michele reflects on how overwhelming and isolating the path into healthcare can feel—especially for first-generation students or those without mentorship—and why guiding students toward believing in themselves has become one of the most rewarding parts of her work. Michele is especially passionate about education and empowerment, whether supporting patients through cancer treatment or helping students through the emotionally demanding application process. She believes that clarity reduces anxiety, mentorship can change trajectories, and sometimes simply having someone in your corner makes all the difference. Throughout our conversation, Michele speaks about what keeps her motivated in challenging moments: witnessing transformation. Whether it’s a patient feeling truly heard during a difficult diagnosis or a student receiving an acceptance letter after doubting themselves, those moments reinforce the impact of advocacy, support, and perseverance. We also discuss one of the accomplishments she is most proud of—building The Posh PA into a trusted national resource while continuing to work clinically. Through her mentorship, she has helped hundreds of students gain acceptance into PA school, many of whom are reapplicants or first-generation students. Beyond admissions coaching, Michele is also passionate about helping healthcare professionals create careers that combine medicine with flexibility, entrepreneurship, and personal branding. Michele’s story is a reminder that healthcare extends far beyond the clinic—and that empowering others, whether patients or future providers, can create ripple effects that last for generations.

Vitals and Voices EP 58

In this episode of Vitals and Voices, we sit down with Maria Jimena Barroso, who goes by Jimena, a medical student from Mexico City currently completing her final year of training through social service in the United States. With a strong focus on women’s health, global health, and health equity, Jimena is building a path toward a future in OB-GYN that combines clinical care, research, and advocacy. Jimena shares how her journey into medicine was shaped by witnessing firsthand how structural inequalities impact access to care, particularly for women. Growing up and training in Mexico, she saw how factors like geography, socioeconomic status, and education can determine health outcomes—experiences that continue to guide her commitment to improving care for underserved communities. We talk about her work in women’s health research, including reproductive health, maternal outcomes, and health disparities, as well as her efforts to mentor and support other students pursuing medicine. Jimena reflects on the importance of creating pathways for others and using medicine not just as a profession, but as a platform for impact. What deeply shapes her perspective as a future physician is her experience as a patient. During medical school, Jimena was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, shifting her role from caregiver to patient. She shares how this experience transformed her understanding of vulnerability, trust, and the emotional weight patients carry. It reinforced the importance of listening, presence, and believing patients—lessons that now define how she approaches medicine. Jimena is especially passionate about women’s health, including reproductive health, maternal morbidity and mortality, and gynecologic oncology, particularly in underserved populations. She emphasizes that improving outcomes for women is not only a healthcare priority, but a community-wide investment. We also discuss one of the accomplishments she is most proud of: being selected as an Anne C. Carter Global Health Fellow, where she is currently developing a project focused on women’s health education and resilience in post-disaster settings. This work reflects her dedication to sustainable, community-based solutions that extend beyond immediate care to long-term empowerment. Throughout our conversation, Jimena’s perspective highlights the intersection of science, empathy, and lived experience. She reminds us that every patient carries a story—and that truly meaningful care begins with listening. Jimena’s journey is a powerful reflection of resilience, purpose, and compassion, showing that the most impactful physicians are those who not only understand disease, but deeply understand the people behind it.

Vitals and Voices EP 57

In the fifty-seventh episode of Vitals and Voices, we sit down with Vani Ganesh, a third-year osteopathic medical student whose journey into medicine is rooted in advocacy, health equity, and a deep passion for women’s health education. As a first-generation American, Vani shares how her path into healthcare was shaped by witnessing the challenges many individuals and families face in accessing quality care. Those experiences sparked her commitment to equitable healthcare and helped shape her growing passion for women’s preventive health, where education and early intervention can have a lasting impact on outcomes. We talk about what keeps Vani motivated through the challenges of medical training, including the importance of staying hopeful, returning to her “why,” and remembering the long-term purpose behind the work. She reflects on how maintaining perspective and staying grounded in purpose has helped her navigate difficult moments in medicine. Vani is especially passionate about women’s preventive health and health literacy, sharing how both personal experiences and clinical rotations have reinforced how powerful education can be in improving outcomes for women. She believes empowering patients with knowledge is not separate from healthcare—it is central to it. We also discuss one of the accomplishments she is especially proud of: organizing a Period Action Day fundraiser at her medical school using a period cramp simulation to raise awareness about menstrual health. Through the initiative, she raised funds that were donated to a local nonprofit providing menstrual products to individuals in low-income communities, combining advocacy, education, and service in a meaningful way. Throughout our conversation, Vani’s passion for prevention, access, and patient empowerment shines through. Her story is a reminder that medicine is not only about treating illness, but also about education, advocacy, and creating systems that help people thrive before they ever become patients. Vani’s journey reflects purpose, compassion, and the power of using medicine as a tool for both healing and change.