Medicus

In this mini-series, we talk to individuals who took a detour in medical school and did not stick to the traditional 4-year curriculum. Nick Sasso, MAT comes from the world of education, having been a teacher in Chicago for half a decade before embarking on his medical school journey. He is currently a fourth-year medical student at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine and is applying for residency in neurology. Already a non-traditional student, Nick's journey through medical school took further unexpected turns when his health began to quickly deteriorate. It took the care of one very tenacious physician to realize the diagnosis: postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and its associated complications. In this episode, Nick recounts his experiences with chronic illness during medical school, taking a leave of absence, and his desire to spread awareness around POTS, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), and dysautonomia. He encourages all aspiring and current clinicians to read up on these conditions via the following articles:

Bryarly, M., et al. (2019). Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome: JACC Focus Seminar. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 73(10), 1207–1228.

Bateman, L., et al. (2021). Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Essentials of Diagnosis and Management. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 96(11), 2861–2878.

Volcheck, M., et al. (2023). Central sensitization, chronic pain, and other symptoms: Better understanding, better management. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, 90(4), 245–254.

Episode produced by: Rasa Valiauga

Episode recording date: 8/30/23

In this new mini-series, we talk to individuals who took a detour in medical school and did not stick to the traditional 4-year curriculum. We hope that this series will help shed light on the various reasons students have to adjust their trajectory, normalize how common this phenomenon is, and reduce the stigma associated with taking more time to get through medical school than allotted.

David Mata is a non-traditional student who attended Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine and is now a current PGY-1 at UCSD Family Medicine. David had a non-traditional journey to medical school finishing his master’s at Western Michigan University and being in the public health workforce prior to starting medical school. 

Episode produced by: Rasa Valiauga

Episode recording date: 8/18/23

In this episode, Rasa discusses the innovative research being conducted by Dr. Lisa Barnes at Rush University Medical Center and how she is helping close the gap in Alzheimer’s disease research disparities faced by people of color.

Lisa L. Barnes, PhD is the Alla V. and Solomon Jesmer Professor of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine and a cognitive neuropsychologist within the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Rush University Medical Center. She is also the Associate Director of the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. She received her PhD from the University of Michigan in biopsychology and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in cognitive neuroscience at the University of California, Davis. She has been a faculty member at Rush Medical College since 1999. Dr. Barnes has received many NIH grants and has published over 300 manuscripts. Her research interests include disparities in chronic diseases of aging, cognitive decline, and risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. She is the Principal Investigator of the Minority Aging Research Study (MARS), which has been funded by NIA since 2004, and the Clinical Core Leader for the Rush African American Clinical Core. She advocates for recruitment of under-represented groups into clinical studies and has received many awards and fellowships.

Episode produced by: Rasa Valiauga

Episode recording date: 8/21/23

In this engaging episode, Vamsi and Monica chat with Mira Krivoshey, the Director of Health Promotions at Loyola University Chicago. Mira, a certified sexual assault advocate and health education specialist, graciously shares her knowledge and professional journey. With over a decade of experience working in the realm of gender-based violence, Mira's insights are invaluable.

From offering essential support to survivors of gender-based violence to passionately championing violence prevention in schools and community agencies, Mira has dedicated her career to creating positive change in our community. She has worked with organizations like the National Center for Victims of Crime and the DC Rape Crisis Center and has even taught a course on sexual assault advocacy.

With her Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from Barnard College and her Masters of Public Health with specialization in Sexuality Studies from The Ohio State University, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. This is an episode you can’t miss!

Episode produced by: Monica Contractor and and Vamsi Rojulpote

Episode recording date: 10/5/23

In today’s episode we talk to Ryan Ferrante, a lawyer whose own experiences with infertility inspired him to pivot his career from tax law to assisted reproductive technology law.  Ryan focuses on third-party reproduction, representing intended parents, gestational surrogates, egg donors, sperm providers, and individuals pursuing arrangements utilizing assisted reproduction techniques. 

 Ryan is dedicated to raising awareness of the infertility community through professional and personal involvement, providing support of the continued progress in the treatment of infertility, and challenging the forces that might deny others the very same opportunity to be a parent for which he is so thankful. 

In this mini-series, we explore different health professions to get a better understanding of the variety of team members involved in patient care. For this episode, we spoke with Dr. Cyndie Chow about her journey to becoming an audiologist and the types of conditions audiologists do (and do not) treat.

Cynthia Chow, AuD, PhD, is an audiologist and owner of The Hearing Place, a private practice in Oak Park, IL.  Her professional interests include the diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss, tinnitus management, patient education, hearing conservation, and teaching. Dr. Chow received her doctorate of Audiology and doctorate of Philosophy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her PhD studies in hearing science provide her with a unique understanding of sound perception which she applies to the treatment and management of hearing loss and tinnitus.

In this mini-series, we explore different health professions to get a better understanding of the variety of team members involved in patient care. In this episode, we spoke with Gauri Pawar, PT about her journey to becoming a physical therapist and how physical therapists are an integral part of the healthcare team.

Dr. Pawar hails from Ann Arbor, MI, a university town home to the University of Michigan. She graduated with her BS from U of M in 2013 with a concentration in Biopsychology, Cognition and Neuroscience. With an interest in the connection between the mind and body, and as a chronic pelvic pain survivor herself, she pursued her clinical doctorate in physical therapy at Andrews University, graduating in 2018. Her interests include functional weight training, visceral and osteopathic manual therapies, as well as treatment of chronic abdominopelvic pain, bowel/bladder dysfunction, pelvic organ prolapse, and postpartum rehabilitation.

Dr. Pawar is passionate about education and has attended courses through the APTA, Barral Institute, Herman & Wallace, and Great Lakes Seminars. She is working towards being a certified sex educator and sex counselor. She is devoted to patient education and empowering patients on their health journeys and improving their compliance in their medical plans.  

When she's not working, Dr. Pawar can be found in the kitchen! She is an avid foodie who enjoys cooking foods from global cuisines and especially enjoys touring cities with her belly. Things that bring Dr. Pawar the most happiness in her day to day life include but are not limited to: listening to NPR, reading Brene Brown and following her on social media, Nina Simone's voice, watching Bollywood dancing, the smell of sandalwood (very calming), walking/hiking, farmer's markets, Ethiopian coffee beans, making a successful meal (efficient and tasty!), and sharing.

In this mini-series, we explore different health professions to get a better understanding of the variety of team members involved in patient care. For this episode, we chatted with Jayne Phoenix about her journey to becoming a medical dosimetrist and the integrated team approach to treating cancer patients.

Jayne Phoenix, RT(R)(T), CMD is a Certified Medical Dosimetrist working at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, Washington. She completed her education at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL.

Find out more about the career of medical dosimetry and how to become a medical dosimetrist at the following links:

In this episode, we speak with Maureen Kerr RN, who is certified as a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE). Maureen has been a registered nurse since 2019 and has been working in the emergency department at Glenbrook Hospital since then. Shortly after accepting that position, she also took it upon herself to become registered as a SANE nurse in order to thoroughly conduct sexual assault forensic exams and provide acute and empathetic care to traumatized survivors.

Throughout the episode, we touch on the rampant problem of sexual violence in our modern society. We describe the emergence of trauma-informed care and how it can help alleviate the impact these acts of violence cause towards victims and their families, as well as members of the healthcare team. 

We are back with another specialty series interview! In this episode, we spoke with Dr. Tate Halfman, MD, who graduated from the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine in May 2023. After a Preliminary Medicine year at University of Chicago Northshore, he will be heading north for PM&R residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Born and raised in San Luis Obispo, CA, Tate came to med school with an eye on musculoskeletal medicine. After two years of exploration, he stumbled upon physiatry and has never looked back. Tate is a proud graduate and Mic Man alumnus of UC Berkeley (GO BEARS!) where he studied Integrative Biology and Spanish Linguistics. After college, he spent two years working as a research assistant in the Kinesiology department of Cal Poly, SLO. He is a lifelong gamer and huge esports fan. He is passionate about mentorship, medical education, and multilingual medical care. 

In our conversation, Tate describes his experiences applying and matching into PM&R this past March. Given the often overlooked nature of PM&R, he also explains what the specialty entails and why it appealed to him. Tate provides useful tips and tricks for students interested in PM&R, as well as valuable advice for the residency application process in general.

You can reach out to Tate at f.t.halfman@gmail.com

Episode produced by: Emily Hagen

Episode recording date: 4/9/23

This episode is part of our specialty series, where we interview MS4 students about their experiences applying and matching into their chosen specialty. In this episode, we spoke with Dr. Elizabeth Belford, MD, who graduated from the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine in May 2023. Elizabeth now is a first-year resident in Internal Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina. 

She reflects on her journey to Internal Medicine with us and shares valuable pieces of advice for medical students in various stages of training. Additionally, Elizabeth describes her decisions for choosing Internal Medicine and provides tips for how to wisely choose a specialty, crafting one’s narrative, and putting one’s best foot forward in the application process. 

If you are interested in getting in touch with Elizabeth, you may reach her at @ElizabethMD15 or elizabeth.drews97@gmail.com. 

Episode produced by: Emily Hagen, Nikki Ganeshan 

Episode recording date: 3/31/23

In this episode, we discuss the uncomfortable yet important issue that plagues our society - child sex trafficking. Dr. Cassandra Ma discusses what makes children vulnerable to trafficking, her work with the Chicago-based organization Reclaim13 in ending the cycle of sexual exploitation, and what healthcare providers can do to provide trauma-informed care.

Dr. Cassandra Ma, Psy.D., is the Founder and Executive Director of Reclaim13, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing healing services to survivors of sexual abuse, trafficking, and exploitation. Dr. Ma received her doctorate in clinical psychology and went on to complete a postdoctoral fellowship in marriage and family therapy at the Family Institute at Northwestern University, where she joined the staff team teaching and coordinating the Bette D. Harris Family and Child Clinic.

Reclaim13 forges healing pathways for survivors of child sexual abuse and exploitation. The healing programs include two residential homes for children and young adults. The Child and Family Program, serves survivors of child sexual abuse and exploitation and their families by pairing them with trained mentors and opportunities to meet with licensed therapists who specialize in trauma informed therapy. Reclaim13 also engages in prevention and engagement initiatives to equip individuals and communities about the cycle of child sexual abuse and exploitation.

In 2017, Dr. Ma and Reclaim13 were recognized by the Office of the U.S. Attorneys for the Northern District of Illinois for their work with victims of sex trafficking. She has been recognized by the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services for her compassion, dedication and commitment to the children and families of Illinois and has served on various advisory boards, including the Illinois Children’s Justice Task Force, College of DuPage’s Human Services. In 2023, Dr. Ma was recognized as Woman of the Year by the Rotary Club of Chicago.

In this mini-series, we explore different health professions to get a better understanding of the variety of team members involved in patient care. For this episode, we chatted with occupational therapist Alex Le about his journey to becoming an occupational therapist and the essential care occupational therapists provide to patients.

Alex Le is originally from the northern VA area currently residing outside of Richmond, VA. He attended the University of Virginia majoring in Biology and Psychology and received his Masters in Occupational Therapy from James Madison University. Alex currently works at Sheltering Arms Institute where he collaborates with other speech therapists, physical therapists, physicians, nurses, recreational therapists, and psychologists to treat a variety of patients with diagnoses including but not limited to brain injury, spinal cord injury, neurological and orthopedic injuries. Alex has experience in acute care, long-term acute care, inpatient rehab, skilled nursing, psychosocial rehab and vocational training. He is happily married to his wife who is a speech language pathologist and enjoys traveling with her and their goldendoodle Monty, swimming, hiking, cooking, and hosting family and friends. 

In this episode, learn all you can about space medicine from Dr. Barratt! As a NASA astronaut and a flight surgeon double board certified in internal medicine and aerospace medicine, Dr. Barratt is an expert on human physiology here on Earth and up in orbit. We talk about the body’s adaptations from takeoff to spending time on the ISS, what aerospace medicine really is, and the future of spaceflight. Join us for an episode that’s truly out of this world!

Dr. Michael Barratt attended the University of Washington where he majored in zoology, and became interested in aerospace medicine while studying for the MCAT. He went on to earn his MD from Northwestern University, where he also completed residency for internal medicine, and after his year as chief resident, started aerospace residency at Wright State. Dr. Barratt joined NASA in 1991 and was shortly assigned as a flight surgeon. He worked on joint U.S./Russian shuttle missions until his selection as an astronaut in 2000. He has participated in two spaceflights and has spent 212 days in space, and is currently in training for an upcoming mission.

Episode produced by: Sarah Ditelberg

Episode recording date: 4/15/23

In this episode of our podcast, we have the pleasure of speaking with the accomplished and passionate Dr. Andrea Deyrup. As a Professor of Pathology at Duke University School of Medicine, Dr. Deyrup is an expert in her field, serving as the course director for the medical school pathology course and co-editor of Robbins Essential Pathology and of Robbins and Kumar Basic Pathology.

But Dr. Deyrup's work goes beyond academia. She is a dedicated advocate for anti-racism in medicine, using her thriving Pathology website and YouTube channel to share information and raise awareness about the intersection of race and healthcare.

During our conversation, we delve into Dr. Deyrup's impressive educational background, from her undergraduate studies in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Princeton University to her Ph.D. in Pathology at the University of Chicago and her M.D. from the Pritzker School of Medicine at the same university. We also discuss her residency in Anatomic Pathology at the University of Chicago and her fellowship in soft tissue pathology at Emory University.

Join us as we learn from Dr. Deyrup's wealth of knowledge and passion for pathology and anti-racism in medicine. This is an episode you won't want to miss.

Episode produced by: Isabelle Tan, Lauren Hekman

Episode recording date: 01/23/23

In this new mini-series, we explore different health professions to get a better understanding of the variety of team members involved in patient care. In our inaugural episode for the series, we sat down with speech-language pathologist Blake Potts Le and discussed her path to becoming an SLP and the field more broadly.

Blake Potts Le is from Richmond, Virginia. She attended the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia and received a double major in French and Communications Sciences and Disorders. She went on to achieve her Master of Science Degree in Speech-Language Pathology at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. She began her career as a speech-language pathologist at Lucy Corr, a retirement community in Chesterfield, Virginia. She then accepted a position with HCA at Henrico Doctor's Hospital working primarily with adults. Blake has also worked in outpatient pediatrics at Retreat Doctor's Hospital. She currently works primarily in the NICU at Henrico Doctor's hospital as a feeding specialist. In her free time, Blake loves to play with her dog, spend time with her husband (who is an occupational therapist), read, and go to the gym.

In this episode, we address the topic of maternal and fetal health with Dr. Kecia Gaither, a double board-certified physician in Ob/Gyn and Maternal Fetal Medicine and a champion of closing the gap in poor pregnancy outcomes for women of color. Dr. Gaither discusses some of the causes for this discrepancy and offers solutions for both patients and providers.

Dr. Gaither received her BA in Biology from Barnard College, and her MD from SUNY Health Science Center in Syracuse. She completed her Ob/Gyn residency at Riverside Regional Medical Center, a subsidiary of The Medical College of Virginia and completed her Maternal Fetal Medicine Fellowship at The University of Medicine and Dentistry-Rutgers in Newark NJ. Dr. Gaither earned her MPH in Health Policy and Management from Columbia University and completed her dual MS/MBA degree in Healthcare Policy and Research/Healthcare Leadership from Cornell SC Johnson School of Business. She has recently been named a Fellow for the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM).

A perinatal consultant and womens’ health expert, Gaither’s expertise is grounded in both research and her professional experience in caring for women with multiple medical/surgical/fetal conditions in pregnancy. In her current role, Dr. Gaither serves as the Director of Perinatal Services/Director of Maternal Fetal Medicine for NYC Health+ Hospitals/Lincoln in the Bronx. Dr. Gaither is also an Associate Professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology with Cornell Weill Medicine.

A Harlem native, Gaither’s mission as a medical professional is to offer exemplary prenatal care to all women, regardless of circumstance. Dr. Gaither regularly lends her commentary and expertise on issues pertaining to womens’ health, pregnancy, and environmental/ population health policy, to leading national consumer health and lifestyle outlets across print, radio, TV, film and online. With her foray into social media, Dr. Gaithers’ combined perspective as a maternal child specialist and public health proponent has allowed her to reach millions via her Twitter feed-- @KeciaGaitherMD and her website: www.keciagaither.com. Dr. Gaither has co-authored “The Confident Woman”, a must read book for women who desire increased confidence, self-esteem and empowerment.

Helpful links:

In this episode, we are excited to be speaking with Dr. Kagetsu about his stories and experiences with Asian-American diversity within Medicine. Dr. Kagetsu explores concepts such as cultural humility, the Asian monolith myth, and his own experiences growing up in a family with Japanese ancestors who lived through the years of internment.

Dr. Nolan Kagetsu is a neuroradiologist based at Mount Sinai West in NYC. Dr. Kagetsu completed his Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology fellowship at NYU and has since been a diagnostic neuroradiologist for the Mount Sinai West Department of Radiology. Dr. Kagetsu has been influential in the formation of the ACGME Diversity Task Force where during his term on the task force, he helped influence the ACGME to create the positive of Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer. Dr. Kagetsu holds several chair positions on diversity and inclusion committees across medicine and radiological organizations and has extensively written about unconscious bias and microaggressions. Additionally, Dr. Kagetsu is the faculty co-advisor for the APAMSA (Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association).

Dr. Kagetsu's Social Media:

Twitter: @nkagetsu

Website: https://sites.google.com/site/neuroradiologyprimer

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-kagetsu-%E8%8A%B1%E6%9C%88-md-facr-5a38a220/

Episode produced by: Aaron Deng and Karen Yuan

Episode recording date: 12/5/22

In this episode, Insup and John interview Dean Darrell Nabers about post-baccalaureate and special masters programs (SMPs) as a means to gaining admission into medical school. They cover a wide range of topics which include what is a post-bacc and SMP, who should and should not do a post-bacc or SMP, and how medical school admissions offices view post-bacc and SMP students.

Dean Darrell Nabers is the dean of admissions and recruitment at the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine and serves as the primary recruitment and committee administrator for all members of the committee on admissions. He oversees and manages the office of admissions and recruitment efforts. He also aids the office of student life.

Episode produced by: Insup Hong and John Engelbert

Episode recording date: 01/18/2023

In this episode, we chat with Dr. Delicia Haynes, a Family Medicine Physician, about her personal mental health struggles and how she is using that experience to advocate for others as well as her unique direct primary care practice model.

Dr. Haynes has an additional board certification by the American Board of Obesity Medicine, and is highly trained in medical aesthetics, and lifestyle medicine. She completed her specialty training at the Halifax Health Center for Family and Sports Medicine Residency Program. Dr. Haynes attended medical school at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology with a minor in Spanish from the University of Louisville where she was a record holding division I track and field athlete.

Dr. Haynes is a bestselling author of The Dawn: A Roadmap to Finding a Light In Your Darkest Hour and the Daybreakers Inspirational Planning Journal. She is an international speaker, award winning business coach and founder and CEO of Family First Health Center, an integrative membership-based family medicine clinic in Daytona Beach, Florida. Considered a “trailblazer” in the medical community, Dr. Haynes founded the first direct primary care clinic in Volusia and Flagler counties as part of her mission to make healthcare more accessible and advocate for the sacredness of the doctor-patient relationship.

Much like her approach to transforming barriers to healthcare for her patients, Dr. Haynes is on a mission to improve the wellness of physicians and medical professionals. She is the creator of the WHITE COAT SAFE SPACE initiative dedicated to raising awareness, advocacy and prevention of physician suicide and helping health professionals love the life they live.  Dr. Haynes speaks widely on the topics of physician wellness, mental health, lifestyle medicine, and direct primary care.

Episode produced by: Rasa Valiauga

Episode recording date: 01/11/23

You read that right, Father AND Doctor. It doesn’t get any more Loyola than that. But how does a physician with a private practice in Dayton, Ohio find themselves being called to become a Jesuit Priest on the Red Lake Reservation in Northern Minnesota? Join Katherine as she sits down with the Stritch School of Medicine’s much beloved Father Doctor David DeMarco as they discuss his childhood, dual calling, and reflective practice.

Dr. Hardt said it best when he described Father Doctor David DeMarco as the ideal fit for Loyola because he is “kind, a good listener, highly intelligent, a skilled physician and a person of deep faith and humble disposition”. And you’ll also hear this from patients and students alike.

Episode recording date: August 29th, 2022

In today’s episode, we take a look at a unique scholarship opportunity that allows healthcare professionals to pay for their education while serving their country. Learn the ins and outs of the Health Professions Scholarship Program from Jesse Webb, a medical student in the program within the Air Force.

Jesse Webb is a fourth year medical student at Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine. Originally from Minnesota, Jesse has always called the Midwest his home. After four years in St. Paul, MN studying biology at Bethel University and singing in the college’s internationally-recognized Bethel Choir, Jesse moved back to his hometown in Rosemount, MN where he advocated and cared for adults with disabilities at ACR Homes, worked as an Emergency Department medical scribe, and gained clinical research experience at ThreeWire, Inc. He commissioned in the U.S. Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant, enrolling in the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) prior to moving to Chicago and matriculating at Loyola Stritch School of Medicine. Jesse anticipates completing a residency in Emergency Medicine and thereafter serving as a physician in the Air Force while hoping to participate in humanitarian missions abroad. When not studying or in the hospital, you can find him binging Marvel, running or hiking in the great outdoors, writing and recording music, or spending time with family, friends, and animals. He is eager to become an emergency medicine physician and would love to help anyone looking for a resource or advice!

Dean Sunny Nakae is back! In this episode we discuss diversity within medical admissions - a hot topic with recent news coming out about affirmative action. Dean Nakae provides wisdom, interesting discussion, and pertinent information for pre-med students applying for medical school or for medical professionals within their training/practice. Make sure to take a listen to one of our most popular episodes with Dean Nakae, Episode 3: Must Hear Discussion on Medical School Admissions.

Dr. Nakae is dedicated to access and equity in medical education and healthcare through transformative leadership and practice. She collaborates with campus constituencies and community partners to build capacity for justice in medicine and society through teaching, mentorship, and innovation. Dr. Nakae began her career as a director for Diversity at the University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City, Utah, and later served in the same role at the Feinberg School at Medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois. She then served as Assistant Dean for for Admissions, Recruitment and Student Life at the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine where she also joined the academy as an Assistant Professor of Medical Education. Dr. Nakae moved to Southern California to serve as Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Associate Professor of Social Medicine, Population, and Public Health at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine. She currently serves as the Senior Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Partnership at CUSM.

Links and emails referenced in the episode:

Link to referenced study: TBA

Email to join Dean Nakae's pre-med group advising: premedprepadvice@gmail.com

Twitter: @DrNakae

Episode produced by: Aaron Deng

Episode recording date: September 8th, 2022

Dr. Sari Hart is an Emergency Medicine physician at Hines VA Hospital and an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine. She is also the founder of ESME, Emotional and Social Medical Education and the creator of Healer's Art Reflections, which she was inspired to create as a sequel to Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen's Healer's Art.

She was born in Chicago, in the very same rooms where she would later learn to deliver babies. She completed medical school and her emergency medicine residency at University of Chicago. Her emergency medicine experience spans the full spectrum from outpost locum tenens work in the midwestern flatlands to dynamic inner-city practices.

Over time, her commitment to healing expanded to include healing the healers themselves. With this new focus, Dr. Hart founded ESME, bringing the best of current social and emotional learning to tomorrow's doctors.

Eva Rawlings Parker, MD is back! In this episode we discuss the intersection of climate change and social justice, and how it can have an impressive impact on your health. We first heard from Dr. Parker in Episode 86: Effects of Climate Change on Dermatology and Medicine. Make sure to go back and give that one a listen! As a reminder, Dr. Parker’s impressive bio is as follows:

Dr. Parker is an Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She is President of the Nashville Dermatologic Society and Vice President of the Williamson County Medical Society. Dr. Parker practices general and complex medical dermatology, inpatient dermatology, as well as cosmetic dermatology at Vanderbilt. Dr. Parker’s academic interests include the health effects secondary to climate change, global health, HIV dermatoses, and tropical skin disease. She also provides volunteer dermatologic care to immigrant, refugee, and underserved populations in Nashville, TN at Siloam Health and the Shade Tree Clinic. As well, she provides volunteer telehealth consultation services in Kenya through The Addis Clinic, has taught internationally in resource-limited settings, and is an external supervisor and mentor at the Regional Dermatology Training Center in Moshi, Tanzania. She received her B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Denver which fueled her interest in how environmental impacts and climate alterations affect health.

She is a staunch advocate for both climate justice and health care sustainability, actively promoting broader education on the health impacts caused by climate change.

Resources Mentioned in First Episode with Dr. Parker:

Planetary Health Report Card

Hey, you! Yeah, YOU!

What are you doing reading this podcast description when you could be reading one of the books recommended by Medicus team members in our newest reading list episode?!?! Stop wasting time and get going!

Content covered:

• Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson
• God’s Hospital: A Doctor, a Hospital, and a Pilgrimage to the Heart of Medicine by Victoria Sweet
• “What I Would Give” by Rafael Campo (poem)
• When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
• I Shall Not Hate: A Gaza Doctor’s Journey on the Road to Peace and Human Dignity by Izzeldin Abuelaish
• Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
• Many Lives, Many Masters by Brian Weiss

Episode produced by: Brendan Connolly

Contributors: Monica Contractor, Rasa Valiauga, Lauren Hekman, Isabelle Tan

In this episode, we learn about prions and the neurodegenerative diseases they cause.  Join us as Michael Terranova explains how these rare infectious proteins impact patients and why the medical community needs to be aware of their effects.

Michael Terranova earned his BS and MS degrees at UC San Diego, and he is currently a medical student at the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. A lifelong interest in neurology led Michael to research the neurobiology of substance use at the San Diego Veterans Affairs Healthcare System before researching rapidly progressive dementias at the UC San Francisco Memory and Aging Center. He is also an avid automotive enthusiast, having participated in the Society of Automotive Engineers International Collegiate Design Series and restored multiple classic cars with his family. The opinions expressed in this podcast do not constitute medical advice and do not represent the views or opinions of the institutions, researchers, or patient advocacy groups discussed during the interview.

Additional resources related to prion disease can be found at:

In this episode, we discuss the implications of the recent Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson, taking away the constitutional right to abortion by overturning Roe v. Wade and granting states the authority to impose restrictions on abortion care. We speak with Amy Perez, a nurse and abortion care provider living in Texas, about what the decision means for reproductive health.

Amy Perez is a queer activist from Madison, Wisconsin. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a minor in Chican@ & Latinx studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. As an undergrad, the Obama administration awarded her the President’s service medal in recognition for 200+ hours of volunteer service for Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Upon graduation, Amy moved to Austin, TX to complete a Residency in Pediatric Intensive Care. After SB8 took effect, a bounty law that allows private citizens to sue whoever helps people obtaining abortions beyond 6 weeks of gestation, Amy decided to switch specialties to serve those affected by this law. Amy currently works as an Abortion Services Nurse for Planned Parenthood of greater TX at the South Austin Surgical Services Center.

Amy intends to become a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner to help victims of sexual violence when she becomes eligible to certify. Amy’s goal is to become a Midwife and a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner and open her own sexual and reproductive health center. Eventually, she will also get a DNP in psychiatry & mental health. Amy has devoted her life to serving and empowering underserved and marginalized communities.

Follow Amy @amy_jochett and check out the resources discussed on the show:

Plan C Pills (@plancpills)

Aid Access (@aidacess)

Forward Midwifery (@forwardmidwifery)

Miscarriage and Abortion Hotline (@ma_hotline)

If/When/How (@ifwhenhow)

Shout Your Abortion (@shoutyourabortion)

Jane’s Due Process (@janesdueprocess)

Episode produced by: Rasa Valiauga

Episode recording date: 6/14/22

In this 4th year medical student (MS4) series, we investigate the field of Orthopedic Surgery. Our guest, Dr. Brooke Dickens, shares what led her to pursue this male dominated field and how to make yourself a competitive applicant while staying true to yourself.

Brooke Dickens is a first year orthopedic surgery resident at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Hospital. Originally from California, Brooke has found herself a home throughout the United States. After four years in Cambridge, MA playing soccer for Harvard Women's Soccer and earning her BA in Neurobiology, she spent time doing policy work in DC before moving back to California to teach junior high and coach soccer, and then had a pit stop in Chicago where she graduated from the Loyola Stritch School of Medicine. Brooke is excited to be living and learning in North Carolina alongside her husband, Scotty, who works for the Wake Forest Football team. When not in the hospital, you can find her cheering on the Deacs, taking a long nap, or playing a game of pick-up soccer. She is super excited to become an orthopedic surgeon and would love to be a resource for anyone who wants to reach out!

In this episode, we interview Emergency Medicine physician Dr. Mark Cichon on the recent ACEP report regarding potential Emergency Medicine physician job shortages over the next decade. This has been a hot topic among medical students and emergency medicine residents. Dr. Cichon clears the air on this report and gives great insight into the world of emergency medicine. 

Dr. Cichon is a Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine and the Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology, and has been a member of the Loyola University Chicago faculty since joining the institution in 1996. Dr. Cichon is the Medical Director for Loyola University Medical Center – Emergency Medical Services System where he oversees the licensing, education, policy and procedures for the 3000 "Pre-Hospital" personnel in the Loyola System. As Medical Director, Dr. Cichon has overseen the establishment and organization of disaster preparedness. As Faculty at the Loyola’s Stritch School of Medicine, Dr. Cichon mentors and teaches in the existing curriculum during the sophomore pathology program and during the clerkship years, and he has developed a curriculum in Disaster Medicine for the medical students. Dr. Cichon has held several other leadership positions and greatly impacted the field of Emergency Medicine, the before mentioned are just a few of his several achievements!

Episode produced by: Aaron Deng and Lauren Hekman

Episode recording date: 4/11/22

In this 4th year medical student (MS4) series, we investigate the field of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Our guest, Hye-Jin Yun, shares what led her to pursue this often overlooked specialty and how to make sure you make the most of virtual interviews.

Hye-Jin ("HJ") Yun is the former MS4 Class President and recent graduate of Loyola Stritch School of Medicine. She is a preliminary intern at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco and will be training at Stanford University for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R). As a former performer, she holds a certificate in Performing Arts Medicine. Her passion includes utilizing social media to mentor, empower, and provide exposure to the wonderful world of physiatry.

You can contact HJ via Instagram @doc.ladywonder or email (doc.ladywonder@gmail.com)

Episode produced by: Rasa Valiauga

Episode recording date: 5/30/22

In this 4th year medical student (MS4) series, we dive into the field of Family Medicine. Our guest, Kendall Frisoli, shares what drew her to this specialty and what keeps her sane through the rigors of medical training.

KENDALL is a musician passionate about connecting to and healing with her audience. Originally from Los Angeles, KENDALL has been training to become a physician in Chicago. She is returning home to California to pursue her Family Medicine Residency journey in July 2022 at Long Beach Memorial. Since childhood, music has kept her centered. It continued to keep her grounded throughout her experiences as a collegiate D1 athlete, LGBTQ woman, and medical student. It is her expressive outlet and treatment of choice. Music is medicine, and KENDALL integrates this artistic tool within her medical practice.

Her music is vulnerable, relatable, and most importantly - real. KENDALL’s songwriting is sparked by human relationships, whether it be with romantic interests, friends, family, patients, or herself.

KENDALL’s first single release, “Slow My Mind Down,” is one of many songs she wrote about a girl. This piece evokes the range of emotions we feel in our relationships. And it is a perfect example of how KENDALL’s mind can race from 0 to 100 after experiencing a meaningful connection. She hopes it hits people in all of the tender places - because those are the best places - and brings humans closer to our common ground.

In this episode, we explore the field of genetic counseling and its significance in both research and clinical settings. We talk with board certified genetic counselor Magan Trottier about her path to genetic counseling, the ethics behind genetic testing results, and what direct-to-consumer tests can tell you.

Magan Trottier received a master’s degree in Molecular Genetics and another in Genetic Counseling, both from the University of Toronto. In addition to counseling, she has over ten years of research experience and has published papers in prestigious journals like Cell Stem Cell and the Journal of the American Medical Association. She is an adjunct professor in the Long Island University Post Genetic Counseling Graduate Program. She currently works for Memorial Sloan Kettering, and the opinions she expresses in this interview are solely her own and do not express the views or opinions of Memorial Sloan Kettering.

More information about the All of Us Research Program can be found at https://allofus.nih.gov/about

Episode produced by: Jackie Tarsitano

Episode recording date: 12/21/21

The original creators of the Medicus Podcast are wrapping up their first year of residency and offer their perspectives on being an intern.

Alek Druck - Urology, University of South Florida

Mara Peterson - Internal Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University

Nathan Burstedt - Preliminary Medicine Year, Loyola University Medical Center (going into Internal Medicine at Overland Park Regional Medical Center)

Joshua Lewis - Preliminary Medicine Year, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital (going into Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Montefiore Medical Center)

Episode produced by: Rasa Valiauga, Katie Mott

Episode recording date: January - June, 2022

In this episode, we spoke with Dr. Elizabeth Henry, a clinical associate professor at Loyola University Chicago with a clinical focus on GU medical oncology. Before joining the faculty, she completed her hematology/oncology fellowship at Loyola and served as Chief Fellow in her final year of training. Elizabeth is a former heme/onc fellowship program director and has research interests in medical education and utilization of digital technology in training and professional development. She is a 2021-2022 ASCO Education Scholar. As the Medical Director of Oncology with theMednet, she oversees the editorial teams in moderating the high quality physician discussions, as well as expanding engagement through special programming such as the Tumor Board Q&A, ASCO and NEJM Journal Club discussions, SWOG outreach programs, and more.

We discuss her many interests, including hematology-oncology and medical education and technology to advance medical knowledge. She explains her role at theMednet as a medical information platform for physicians, highlighting how physicians can have unique roles aside from practicing medicine in the hospital and/or clinic. Dr. Henry also shares her story about pursuing medicine and hematology/oncology specifically, simultaneously while conveying valuable advice to all aspiring physicians.

In this 4th year medical student (MS4) series, we investigate the field of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Our guest, Teresa Veselack, shares advice on how to set yourself up for success regarding matching into this competitive specialty and shares tips to help you stand out both on paper and in person.

Teresa Veselack is a recent graduate of Loyola Stritch School of Medicine and will be starting a 7-year Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery training program at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL this summer. She is passionate about teaching, mentorship, and increasing medical student exposure to the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Medicine meets Mother Nature.

Tune into this episode about the effects of climate change on the specialty of Dermatology and more broadly, medicine. Our guest today is Eva Rawlings Parker, M.D. Dr. Parker is an Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She is President of the Nashville Dermatologic Society and Vice President of the Williamson County Medical Society. Dr. Parker practices general and complex medical dermatology, inpatient dermatology, as well as cosmetic dermatology at Vanderbilt. Dr. Parker’s academic interests include the health effects secondary to climate change, global health, HIV dermatoses, and tropical skin disease. She also provides volunteer dermatologic care to immigrant, refugee, and underserved populations in Nashville, TN at Siloam Health and the Shade Tree Clinic. As well, she provides volunteer telehealth consultation services in Kenya through The Addis Clinic, has taught internationally in resource-limited settings, and is an external supervisor and mentor at the Regional Dermatology Training Centre in Moshi, Tanzania. She received her B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Denver which fueled her interest in how environmental impacts and climate alterations affect health.

She is a staunch advocate for both climate justice and health care sustainability, actively promoting broader education on the health impacts caused by climate change.

Resources Mentioned in Episode:

This episode is for all you pre-medical students who are aspiring to apply for medical school. 

Today, we have a special guest, Dr. Jill M. Volk who currently serves in two capacities at Rush Medical College in Chicago, IL -- Director of Admissions and Recruitment and Director of Diversity and Inclusion. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Illinois Wesleyan University, Master of Science in Education degree from Eastern Illinois University and has focused her entire career on student development. Before settling into the Admissions, Jill worked as Assistant Dean of Students at Lake Forest College where her primary functions were residence life and judicial affairs; Director of Student Affairs at Rush University where she focused her energies on new student orientation, commencement, student organizations, and advising; and Director of Special Programs for Rush Medical College where she devoted her time to orientation, special events within the medical college, scholarship processing and awarding, and residency selection programs. With her nearly 15 years of experience in admissions and recruitment, Jill has a broad knowledge of admissions, recruitment, financial aid and assists prospective students in all aspects of the admissions process. On the national level, Jill was a member of the AMCAS Admission Processing Solution Implemental Advisory Committee which advised AMCAS as they work through implementation plans and decisions regarding a new medical school admission processing product and served as the Executive Secretary/Treasurer of the Central Group on Student Affairs. In her spare time, Jill enjoys all the things Chicago has to offer including neighborhood dining, the lake, theater, and of course summer festivals.

Episode produced by: Aaron Deng and Isabelle Tan

Episode recording date: February 10th, 2022

You know his voice. You own and love his review book. He’s your go-to person for your medical school pathology studies. You must be thinking – there’s no way that Dr. Husain Sattar, MD was interviewed in this episode – well, think again!

In this episode, we interviewed the one and only, Dr. Husain Sattar, MD, creator and author of “Pathoma.” In addition to teaching medical students high yield USMLE STEP1 content, Dr. Sattar is a professor of Pathology at The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and a practicing surgical pathologist. He specializes in breast pathology.

What you probably do not know about Dr. Sattar, however, is his non-linear path to medicine. In fact, he took a substantial amount of time off from medical school. He changed his mind about his specialty and career goals several times. Along the way, he developed his inspiring teaching talents and accrued important life lessons and perspectives, which he imparts in this episode. So, take a break from studying Pathoma to understand the wisdom and intentions that drove the book’s inception in the first place. Trust us, you’ll return to your studying, and time on the wards as well, feeling especially inspired and grateful.

Episode produced by: Aaron Deng and Emily Hagen

Episode recording date: 3/2/2022

Do you love Medicus, but you're caught up on all the episodes? Not sure where to turn for other great medicine and healthcare content? 

We feel you! Introducing the first-ever Reading List episode. In lieu of the normal interview format, four Medicus team members share some of their favorite books, articles, shows, and other medical content. These items can tide you over until our next episode releases...enjoy! 

Content Covered: 

--"Morning Rounds" newsletter, statnews.com

Ever wonder what your life would look like if you went to journalism school instead of medical school? Or the stories you’d have and people you’d meet if you were the Director of Medical Intensive Care at County Hospital for 25 years? Well, if you’re Dr. Cory Franklin, you’ve found a way to get the best of both worlds. You also happen to be the inspiration for Harrison Ford’s character in The Fugitive.

Join Katherine for the next episode in our Literature in Medicine series, where we interview Dr. Cory Franklin, current Editorial Board contributor to the Chicago Tribune. Author of three books: Cook County ICU: 30 Years of Unforgettable Patients and Odd Cases, The Doctor Will See You Now: Essays on Changing the Practice of Medicine, and Chicago Flashbulbs: A Quarter Century of News, Politics, Sports, and Show Business (1987-2012). And obituary advocate.

Episode produced by: Katherine Mott

Episode recording date: 12/23/21

In this episode, Alex and Diana who tell their story about what it is like to date a medical student. This is a great episode about what it is like to date someone who is in medical school and the unique challenges that they have to overcome when navigating both life and medical school. Hope you enjoy!

Episode produced by: Shawn Choe

Episode recording date: 1/22/22

In this episode, Rasa interviews family medicine physician Dr. Samantha Peterson who was inspired by what she saw on the frontlines of the pandemic to pursue an additional residency and fellowship in infectious disease.

Dr. Samantha Peterson is currently an internal medicine resident at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields, where she also completed her family medicine training. She finished her undergraduate training at University of Wisconsin-Madison and went to medical school at Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. In addition to her passion for infectious disease that was potentiated while working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, she also enjoys practicing osteopathic manipulative medicine and LGBTQ+ aspects of medicine. In her free time, Sam enjoys cooking, traveling, hiking, running, and watching the Packers beat the Bears.

In this episode, Rasa chats with registered dietician, exercise physiologist, author, and fellow podcaster Rebecca Scritchfield about body kindness, intuitive eating, and health at every size and how to incorporate these practices into the art of medicine.

In this episode, Lauren dives into the discussion of incorporating psychotherapy into the practice of psychiatry. Discussing this hot topic with her is Dr. Carol Hekman, Dr. Joshua Pretsky, and Dr. Alan Chen. Their lengthy and impressive resumes are explained in detail at the beginning of the episode, but the sparknotes version of these impressive guests are below:

Dr. Carol Hekman is a practicing psychoanalyst and psychologist in Los Angeles, CA.

Dr. Joshua Pretsky is a practicing psychiatrist at UCLA and Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA where he is the founding director of the Concentration in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy.

Dr. Alan Chen is a practicing psychiatrist and Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the Keck School of Medicine and an Assistant Program Director of the University of Southern California.

Topics discussed are the importance of incorporating talk therapy into psychiatrist practice, what to look for in a residency program, and the optimal relationship between a psychologist and psychiatrist supporting a patient’s health goals. Words of wisdom are plentiful in this episode, check it out!

Episode produced by: Lauren Hekman

Episode recording date: 12/22/21

Want more content that explores links between the art and science of medicine? Here it is! 

In this episode, Brendan dips outside the usual world of hospitals and clinics to talk with Dr. Elena Fratto, a professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures at Princeton University. Professor Fratto published a book in November titled Medical Storyworlds: Health, Illness, and Bodies in Russian and European Literature at the Turn of the Twentieth Century, so she brings a unique perspective to conversations in medicine and healthcare.

Topics discussed include mortality and dying with dignity, the importance of gathering patient stories, how literature has influenced medical care, and so much more. Enjoy! 

Episode produced by: Brendan Connolly

Episode recording date: 11/10/21

In this episode, Rasa chats with Dr. LaMenta Conway, founder of the I Am Abel Foundation, about creating communities that allow the dream of becoming a physician a possibility for underserved youth. Trained in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Illinois, Dr. LaMenta Conway has celebrated over 22 years as a physician with most of her career teaching in top academic hospitals in the Midwest.  In her current professional role, she is Deputy Chief of Medicine for the Illinois Department of Health where she and her team are responsible for the medical care of +40K offenders in custody in the Illinois State Prisons.

She is known best for her warm and exuberant personality and bedside manner as a physician and clinical educator devoted to the care of vulnerable populations. But an act of violence would inspire a powerful work of advocacy that would change her trajectory and become her life's legacy.  Dr. Conway decided to formalize her lifelong legacy of mentoring young people in the art of compassionate medicine and service when one of her favorite 14-year-old cousins, full of promise and talent, was paralyzed following a gunshot wound to the spine intended for someone else.  This pivotal moment followed the murder of her 15-year-old cousin on Mother’s Day just 6 months earlier.

She realized that many of the younger, misguided youth from these communities not only lacked mentors to guide and position them for success but they also did not understand how we are all as humans connected one to the other. Thus she created I AM ABEL FOUNDATION, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that she describes as a "mentoring scholarly community" whose motto is "Excellence Period. Serve Always."

The foundation is focused on community and global service with pipelines to medicine and STEM with the objective of bridging socioeconomic gaps so that all of Chicago's children would have a shot at the not so impossible dream. Through conferences, workshops and community outreach, the foundation has impacted thousands of kids already that will one day become our community's future researchers, leaders, advocates, healers and healthcare heroes.

Episode produced by: Rasa Valiauga

Episode recording date: 11/4/21

In this episode, Raj chats with Dr. Leslie Rydberg, who is a general physiatrist and associate residency director at the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab. She discusses her path to physical medicine & rehabilitation, and why medical students should consider it as a future specialty choice. Dr. Rydberg has a special interest in resident and medical student education.

Join us as we learn about the day-to-day life of a physiatrist, the variety of the field depending on sub-specialty and setting, and how to make yourself a strong applicant to PM&R.

Episode produced by: Raj Ramini

Episode recording date: 1/7/21