Talking Admissions and Med Student Life will be back soon with a new format to celebrate our 150th episode. In the meantime, I wanted to introduce you to a new podcast called Clinical. Hear a six-minute sample of the current story called, Unit on the Brink: Voices from the COVID Frontline. It’s the stories of seven medical professionals and how the virus is impacting their patients, their community, and their lives. If you like what you hear, you can find full episodes and subscribe on the Clinical website.

Talking Admissions and Med Student Life

The Scope Presents: Clinical - Unit on the Brink

How do you strategize to apply and get into medical school? What activities help prepare you for medical school? How much should you consider the financial implications when applying to medical school and residency programs? Why are couples slow to announce that they’re dating while in medical school? Today on Talking Admissions and Med Student Life, I interview couple, Necia and Milo, both former fourth-year medical students who recently graduated from the University of Utah School of Medicine.

Episode 149 – Necia & Milo

What do you do when you find yourself trying to figure out your next move in life? How does a trek through the jungle in Vietnam prompt you to pursue a career in medicine? Why is it important to have a strategy that works best for you when applying to medical school programs? What is like to do a couple’s match into the same residency program? Today on Talking Admissions and Med Student Life, I interview couple, Rudi and Quinn, both former fourth-year medical students who recently graduated from the University of Utah School of Medicine.

Episode 148 – Rudi & Quinn

How do you find balance between medical school and your wellness and life outside of school? What’s it like having your third-year clerkship rotation cut short because of COVID-19? How does a career in business and football prepare one for a career in medicine? Today on Talking Admissions and Med Student Life, I interview Bridger Battaglia a third-year medical student about to start his fourth year here at the University of Utah School of Medicine.

Episode 147 – Bridger Battaglia

How does COVID-19 impact one’s clinical clerkship experience and desire to give back? What should you look for in an MD/PhD program when applying to various schools? What is it like to be an MD/PhD student? Today on Talking Admissions and Med Student Life, I interview Claire Bensard a third-year medical student here at the University of Utah School of Medicine.

Episode 146 – Claire Bensard

How does being a medic in Afghanistan inspire one to become a doctor? Why is it important to start both the admissions process and relationship building early? What is medical school like as a nontraditional student? Today on Talking Admissions and Med Student Life, I interview Carson Mills, a fourth-year medical student here at the University of Utah School of Medicine.

Episode 145 – Carson Mills

Why does someone decide to go into a triple board residency program? How do you promote wellness and balance during a five-year residency program? What’s the difference between west coast swing dancing and the jerk-and-pull swing dancing in Utah? Today on Talking Admissions and Med Student Life, I interview Dr. Powell, a second-year psychiatry resident here at the University of Utah School of Medicine.

Episode 144 – Dr. Powell

How does an architecture internship in China make one decide to change gears and pursue medicine? What are some ways to survive and thrive during your post-bacc studies? Why is workplace culture such an important question to ask during residency program interviews? Today on Talking Admissions and Med Student Life, I interview Lily, a fourth-year medical student here at the University of Utah School of Medicine.

Episode 143 – Lily

"Even on the GME side too, there is more and more interest in becoming good teachers. I don’t know if that stems from, kind of, who your role models are. In medical school, we look up to really great teachers and I think the same thing in residency training we really admire the people who teach well and teach effectively. I think we try to model our careers after them, that’s some of it. Also, just trying to create some balance in life. I think people recognize that having a career that is one hundred percent clinical can be really tiring. For me, I like that every single day is different. I like that I can come and be here with you and then go to clinic in the afternoon. It’s just a really nice way to keep my days interesting and keep me motivated and excited on both fronts. I think that the students are seeing that too." Dr. Timme's clinical interests include type 1 diabetes and general endocrinology including disorders of growth, puberty, and the thyroid. Her research experience is in medical education and developing programs to help physicians become better educators. She is pursuing a Master of Education degree through the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Today, we discuss the field of pediatric endocrinology, the Students as Teachers Pathway, the Bills Mafia, and pediatric diabetes.

Episode 142 – Dr. Kathleen Timme

"It was the end of November, so it was snowing and it was really beautiful. I remember, honestly this was one of my favorite interviews because everyone was so kind and loving and warm. I just thought it would be such an amazing place. I loved everybody that I met. It was really unique because I felt like some places tried to intimidate you a little bit, but here everyone was really welcoming. And the mountains, just like, really hit you. When we first got in, I was really shocked just by how enormous they are. It was beautiful." Anna was born in Ukraine, but grew up is the Los Angeles area. She attended UCLA where she combated the intense premed culture while finding her own path to medical school that worked for her. During her time there she participated in competitive swimming and volunteered doing drug outreach and education with the D.O.P.E program. As a California resident, she knew that it would be very competitive applying to medical school programs in the State. As a result, she created a West Coast strategy with a sprinkling of East Coast schools to increase her chances of finding the right program. Approaching the end of her medical school career, Anna reflects on her experiences and the importance of finding a residency program located in a place where you can see yourself being happy and successful. Today, we discuss the how premed culture can be very intense, strategies for applying to medical school programs as a California resident, how one’s vision as a future doctor evolves throughout medical school, and how to pick the right residency program for yourself.

Episode 141 – Anna

“I didn’t know much about what else you did. There’s kind of a perception about people that go into anesthesia, like when my non-medicine friends hear that I’m doing anesthesia they’re like, ‘Oh you’re going for the big bucks!’ Or you know, that you want an easy job. But when you’re in the OR it’s not easy and it can be really scary at times. You know, you are breathing for that person. You are making sure that they’re heart is beating normal. You’re the one making sure that their brain is getting blood flow and you have to act quick”. Max grew up in Spanish Fork, UT and knew at a young age that he wanted to be a doctor like his uncle. He is a first-generation college student who got a crash course in what it takes to be a successful college student, have a healthy social life, and build a solid foundation for medical school applications. He spent some time in Japan and stood out like a sore thumb, but learned to embrace this opportunity and fully immerse himself in Japanese culture. This experience further pushed him to pursue medicine and focus on maintaining empathy and compassion even in the most arduous of times. Today, we discuss life in Japan, The Sound of Music, how to choose a residency program, and how to combat fear and self-doubt when it comes to following your goals and dream match.

Episode 140 – Max

“Walls. You will continue to hit walls in med school and just in life in general. I’ve hit so many walls in my upbringing, in my scholastic career, and even socially. Just every aspect of your life, you’re going to hit walls. What’s important is how you get over them or how you break through them. And if you really feel that medicine would be a good career for you, then go for it. You’re going to hit walls, you’re going to struggle, but that’s the journey. And you will learn and grow. And, as cliché as it sounds, you pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and you learn and grow from your failures…Nothing worthwhile is going to be easy.” Eddie grew up in American Fork, UT and knew at the age of fifteen that he wanted to be a pediatrician. He is a first-generation college student who finessed his way through the, at times, difficult landscape of pre-med programs, the MCAT, and everything in-between while dedicating time to his passion for sports. He hosted a sports radio program while a student at Utah State University, so it was only natural that his affinity for sports would come up during his chat with Dr. Chan. Today, we discuss the struggles of the application process when you’re the first in your family to do it, how having a wonderful mentor can help carry the load, and how you can still be a busy medical student and sports aficionado at the same time.

Episode 139 – Eddie

“It comes in waves, where everything feels really good and then there’s those moments you’re like, ‘Why did I do this to myself? Trying to remember, why am I here?’ It’s really been a dream and an opportunity to be here and to do something where you feel you’re supposed to be.” Siale grew up in Utah county and was a dedicated activity throughout the majority of her academic career. At a young age, she had a fiery determination to pursue a career as a doctor that was further cultivated by watching her mother interact and connect with her patients as a hospice nurse. A series of health setbacks during a two-year period in the Philippines motivated her desire to be a doctor and tackle the health discrepancies that people from various backgrounds face. Today, we discuss the ebb and flow journey of getting into medical school, always “shooting your shot” in the application cycle, and the importance of finding a mentor and giving back to your community.

Episode 138 – Siale

"My mentor early on, the Italian doctor, he showed me how to be truly a compassionate physician. I remember he used to spend so much time with the patients talking to them, not only about their disease, but just getting to know them." Ludovica grew up in Italy until the time she was 12 years old. She recalls her uncle, a traveling doctor who would go to small villages to visit patients in their homes. She says that it was his influence that began her love of medicine. Today we discuss moving to the U.S. before learning English, the difference between Italian medicine and America medicine, research experiences, the power of mentorship, and finally, preparing to apply to medical school.

Episode 137 – Ludovica

"I thought wow, what is it about medicine that can take something that can be so raw and so hurtful and transform it into something that makes people somewhat excited and hopeful and that kind of launched me into medicine." Ha grew up with her grandparents close. It was their respect for doctors and appreciation for health care that sparked Ha’s interest in becoming a doctor. Years later, after achieving her undergraduate degree from Harvard, Ha will be attending medical school at the same place her grandparents received treatment. Today we discuss what it’s like to leave your family and home state to study in Boston, how important it is to find community, choosing the right activities that align with your goals and passion, and finally, applying to medical school with hopes to land your first choice.

Episode 136 – Ha

The ultimate resource to guide you on your journey to and through medical school. Get the inside scoop from pre-med advisors, physicians, faculty, alumni, and current medical students about all areas of medical school. Topics will range from tips to getting admitted (and having your application stand out), to familiarizing yourself with the culture of medical student life, and finally how to prepare for a residency and the Match. Hosted by Dr. Benjamin Chan, Assistant Dean of Admissions at the University of Utah's School of Medicine, 'Talking Admissions and Med Student Life' brings valuable information to anyone thinking about a career in medicine whether you're in high school, pre-med or already a medical student. The views and opinions expressed in these podcasts are solely those of the participants, and in no way reflects those of the UUSOM.

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Talking Admissions and Med Student Life

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