The Med School Years

30: Augustine, MS4 at UT San Antonio, Incoming Plastic Surgery Resident

What do wrapping high-end Mustangs and Integrated Plastic Surgery have in common? More than you think. Join host Deana Golini as she interviews Augustine, an upcoming graduate of UT Long School of Medicine and incoming Integrated Plastic Surgery resident at Baylor Scott & White Hospital. Augustine breaks down his unique "aha" moment, explaining how his background in an automotive "auto salon" prepared him for the intricate demands of tissue tension and aesthetics. He shares the high-stakes reality of applying to a specialty with only ~180 spots nationwide, the strategic importance of "Goldilocks" away rotations, and the "Match Day" moment that felt like a professional draft. Whether you're interested in the "surgical-art" of plastics or navigating med school as a first-gen student, Augustine’s journey offers a masterclass in staying disciplined and human throughout the grind. Explore additional resources: Main website: https://medschoolyears.com [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3AxdFMxdmZaekc1dTUyaThjX2hZc0dXdnNKZ3xBQ3Jtc0trSFB3TkVMUGg0c2pjWmRDTTVmd3BTVEZCYXJramVZUzRpaUJZMTVVVmtBaktXY01mUTRjNEtvQS1KYWVhemlGTEdoR0VPM2d4VFdGdHhWRC0tMFdiak1XM0M1TnJKWWZFb09UbjV5Q3VtTWtVXzJRQQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fmedschoolyears.com%2F&v=K1OD-ECerDI] Apply to be on the podcast: https://airtable.com/app3Id0NacMjivHH... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbk4ycEloV0pjTjZwdmhUcWFvTHJ1ZmN2M2pXQXxBQ3Jtc0trbncyS0Z4VUpLNTMzdGFIZE5SZ2J2TlF6THdEZHZuNnhIWEpQMVRnaVZqOUt0Qld4UWJ3MWRFXzFjYXNFVGk1QUc3bFNBQlNGNWl2SFFHU213YXVpZ1hTY0k1ZHV1SF9GQTBTMml6LTNTS2VrNFBEcw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fairtable.com%2Fapp3Id0NacMjivHHC%2Fshr1NDTOFa5odGFeP&v=K1OD-ECerDI] Follow us on IG: / medicalschoolhq [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazcySXVTRzZJeHE1Y3NIdTl0TnEwYk9QbGtSd3xBQ3Jtc0tuTHlwRFVpUFJPZ1hxSzRLWlhUYTV0UlBtUlBGbHBhcFZ6bzJWd2wtdzVrQzdFYld3NUtYdVRkemRzSHh6WFJXUmluYzRrbFdOeG45T0Q2dmtGRmRrT0RSdjg3R051RjNpcGJmSHNLTXlGSTFNTWo0MA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fmedicalschoolhq%2F&v=K1OD-ECerDI]

29: Julia, M4 at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

What happens when you enter medical school in a diverse urban center during the peak of a pandemic? You learn to become an observer. Join host Deana Golini as she interviews Julia See, an M4 at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, who transitioned from the research-heavy halls of Johns Hopkins to the community-driven wards of Jackson Memorial Hospital. Julia discusses her "late" decision to pursue Pediatrics, how her Visual Arts minor provided a unique lens for clinical observation, and the reality of planning a wedding while navigating residency interviews. She shares the "vibe check" reality of M4 interviews, the strategic importance of QI (Quality Improvement) projects for underserved populations, and how she and her fiance successfully linked their medical school applications to stay together in Miami. If Julia’s journey provides the clarity you need for your own 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=QUFFLUhqbTY3MTlQa0pEUmJjRklkeVUyd0xEVll0VWJJZ3xBQ3Jtc0ttYW8zc1JRU210dkhKeWxDV3FQOWlzV1hZVVhjLTdnbTl1R29LM3VfN0NuR1NRdE1vODZpYThKVDV4eXNvWGVjam5XakZZLURoeUpJLWpaSHVGSm1ycDd5bFBCZHpsWnVpWlVnMG0yZnl6R3lPd0V2dw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fmedschoolyears.com%2F&v=y_EihQLhT3Q] Apply to be on the podcast: https://airtable.com/app3Id0NacMjivHH... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazFjZnJfNm5tRHVxbGNNcUtLamxaazdzNFQ2Z3xBQ3Jtc0tubG1GcVFxSk5BYS1pSmUzYnZtR3g4Ujk4MlRmNTl1Yk9SeElDVFIzMmxqS0FUYWNZMnpkbjQ3OENINU0yMGFnTFVhWFhWUU0zUi1YUFR5Q0Q3cHFvV1dGeGFxSzZINDFkbnZLZm03UkJzdGdrSk5rdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fairtable.com%2Fapp3Id0NacMjivHHC%2Fshr1NDTOFa5odGFeP&v=y_EihQLhT3Q] Follow us on IG: / medicalschoolhq [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbkE5Ny1kQUV3d1Y4OUwwaWp3X253azZjMGo4UXxBQ3Jtc0trNjZCWmwzLTRaZTdlWW4tNFVSQXNLZzZJa0VFdERxNEpLT1lsUkxuZHRuRUYzb2NYaERXNVFua1dwb3pHYm9wcjhYV0RlNTB2cDdGQlFSbWNWRmFhLVRjeW9Md3lRXy10anlaZXZfM1lOZ3VUZzctQQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fmedicalschoolhq%2F&v=y_EihQLhT3Q]

28: Ananya, M2 at Loyola Stritch School of Medicine

What happens when your dream of becoming a doctor is interrupted by a life-threatening diagnosis? Join host Deana Golini as she interviews Ananya Bashyam, an M2 at Loyola Stritch School of Medicine, who survived three relapses of leukemia while completing her medical school applications and her first year of training. Ananya pulls back the curtain on the "dark side" of medicine, sharing the vulnerability of losing her identity as a healthy person and finding it again as a patient-advocate. From navigating stem cell transplants and fertility preservation to carrying an immunotherapy pump in her white coat, Ananya’s story is a masterclass in grit. She discusses the systemic issues in the bone marrow registry for people of color and why "scraped by" was a victory worth celebrating during the hardest year of her life. If Ananya’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=QUFFLUhqazZIQjhvTEo4dzFmdnp2Ml82OUs4VHJGU0ZDQXxBQ3Jtc0ttdnRnemRaWDdyNkpKeU1qdTRqd05jWGNwd3ZvYTF0S25aeFNfU2I1ckJTU1JJb1VOaTBQZVdqTFZZR18tVjExem5INjdmUDk2R0l5N1MyUHpqVmIyRGY2OWlrV0wxaXdSdUtiMlljZTJrQUMzVTdHaw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fmedschoolyears.com%2F&v=aLg2F_AWwck] Apply to be on the podcast: https://airtable.com/app3Id0NacMjivHH... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazkzbzJxUW1HZWV1V0tLTElVUVdnVFJqS0tZZ3xBQ3Jtc0treW1OcC1mX001aC1OYzV1RkJ4YzRzeElxaFRqNXFUMkp4UG5ETmhPNkxBd2NNRDg0NndjZi1JTF91UmR3LXpVVGNJenN0VDdXNkRHRUkzckZoWWM0dDBnTTAybkVWZ0Nma1pQMnBSRHpfNXNJb2pDRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fairtable.com%2Fapp3Id0NacMjivHHC%2Fshr1NDTOFa5odGFeP&v=aLg2F_AWwck]

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.