Boots2Meds Podcast

Episode 9: From Combat Medic to PA Educator-Brandon Beattie on Service, Scholarship, and Shaping the Next Generation

In this episode of Boots2Meds, host Bart Gillum sits down with Brandon Beattie, MMSc, PA-C, a decorated former U.S. Army combat medic who now serves as an assistant professor and Director of Didactic Education at the George Washington University PA Program. Brandon shares his powerful journey from the frontlines of military medicine to the front of the classroom, reflecting on the leadership lessons he carried forward, the clinical experiences that shaped him, and why he thinks veterans make great PAs. We also discuss his work as co-founder of Veteran Educators and Allies in PA Education (VEAP), a national community of veteran PA educators advocating for inclusion, mentorship, and support within academic medicine. If you're a veteran considering a path into healthcare, or an educator wondering how to better support those who serve, this episode is for you.

Episode 8: A Peak Behind the Curtain at GW's MD Program Admissions

In this episode, Bart sits down with Mr. Kevin Nies, Assistant Dean of Admissions, and Dr. Ioannis Koutroulis, Associate Dean of Admissions at the George Washington University School of Medicine. They break down the MD admissions process at GW, share advice on how veteran applicants can best showcase their military experience, and highlight the unique resources and support systems available to veterans who matriculate. If you're a service member or veteran considering med school, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Episode 7: Air Force Roots, Admissions Wisdom: Aimee Larson on Building a PA Career

In this episode of Boots2Meds, we sit down with Aimee Larson, Program Director of the Canisius University PA Program and proud U.S. Air Force veteran. Aimee shares her inspiring path from serving as an Air Force medic to becoming a PA student- while raising three children and navigating life as a non-traditional applicant. Now a leader in PA education, she offers invaluable insights into holistic admissions and what truly makes a candidate stand out. Wherever you are in your journey to PA school, Aimee's story and advice are sure to motivate and guide you.

Episode 6: From X-Ray Tech to Radiologist: Dr. Dominique Newallo's Journey of Resilience

In this powerful episode of Boots2Meds, Dr. Dominique Newallo shares her extraordinary journey from working as an X-ray technician in the Army to becoming a board-certified radiologist and nuclear medicine physician. Her road to medicine was long and often uncertain, filled with personal and professional hurdles that would have stopped many in their tracks. Through sheer determination, grit, and an unwavering commitment to her dream, Dr. Newallo not only broke barriers but also redefined what's possible for veterans in medicine. Whether you're just starting out or deep in the trenches of your own transition, this episode will leave you inspired.

Episode 5- Global Ops to Local Impact: JT Graham's Path from the Navy to PA School

JT Graham spent a decade circling the globe as a Navy systems officer after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy. Now, he's navigating a new kind of mission—his first year as a PA student at George Washington University. In this episode, JT shares what led him to pivot from aviation to medicine, how he prepared for PA school, and the lessons he's carried over from military service to the classroom. Whether you're on active duty or already in transition, JT's story offers practical advice and inspiration for anyone considering a career as a physician assistant.