The Med School Years
Join Deana Golini from Medical School Headquarters in our newest podcast, Med School Years! Med School Years is the essential podcast designed to guide medical students through the highs and lows of medical school and confidently match into their dream residency programs. Each episode features insightful conversations with successful medical students, experienced residency program directors, and experts who have navigated the path you're walking now. Gain practical strategies, powerful advice, and inspiring stories to help you thrive academically, manage challenges, and secure your future in medicine. Subscribe now, and make your med school years the best years yet! Check out all of the podcasts Medical School HQ has to offer at medicalschoolhq.net!
Episodes
38: Katelyn Addison, MS2 at UC Davis School of Medicine
What does it take to navigate the path to medical school when you're the first in your family to do it? Join host Deana Golini as she sits down with Katelyn (Kate) Addison, a second-year medical student at the UC Davis School of Medicine, first-gen American, and the oldest of 10 kids. Kate opens up about the imposter syndrome that comes with entering medicine without the hidden curriculum that cla
37: Krupa Patel, MS3 at University of Michigan Medical School
What makes an orthopedic surgeon put the person before the bones? Join host Deana Golini as she sits down with Krupa Patel, a third-year student at the University of Michigan Medical School and a double Wolverine headed toward a career in orthopedic surgery. Krupa traces her path from an entrepreneurship program she joined purely out of interest, not as a premed checkbox, to founding the Lunar Dou
36: Antony Alvarado, MS3 at UCLA/Charles R. Drew University Medical Education Pathway
What happens when the patient becomes the medical student, and then sets out to become the surgeon who treated him? Join host Deana Golini as she sits down with Antony Alvarado, a third-year student in the UCLA and Charles R. Drew University Medical Education Program and a two-time survivor of pediatric brain cancer. Antony was diagnosed at nine years old in January 2010, after a week of small hea
35: Jen Reinmuth-Birch, DO, Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences
What does it actually take to start medical school two months before your 51st birthday and match into your dream residency at 55? Join host Deana Golini as she sits down with Jen Reinmuth-Birch, a graduating osteopathic medical student at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences and an incoming family medicine resident. Jen walks through a path almost nobody takes. She had been out of scho
34: Lindsey Brinkley, MD, PGY-1 in Integrated Cardiothoracic Surgery at University of Utah SOM
How do you match into one of the most competitive specialties in medicine without losing the person behind the scalpel? Join host Deana Golini as she sits down with Dr. Lindsey Brinkley, a University of Florida College of Medicine graduate and incoming integrated cardiothoracic surgery resident at the University of Utah School of Medicine. Lindsey breaks down what it actually took to land in a fie
33: Binisha Patel, MD, Incoming PGY-1 Internal Medicine Resident at Duke
How do you translate a personal family mission into an impactful medical career at two of the country's most prestigious institutions? Join host Deana Golini as she interviews Binisha, a recent graduate of Stanford Medicine and an incoming Internal Medicine resident at Duke University.Binisha details her full-circle return to Durham, pulling back the curtain on how her personal experiences support
32: Kian Habashi, MD, PGY-1 Orthopaedic Surgery at UNM Health Sciences
Can you maintain a life as an elite endurance athlete while matching into a highly competitive surgical residency? Join host Deana Golini as she sits down with Kian, an Orthopedic Surgery resident at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, to reveal the unfiltered reality of life as a surgical intern. Kian discusses his journey from UNLV to ortho residency, breaking down how his backgroun
31: Sam Kolowrat, MD, PGY-1 Anesthesiology at Vanderbilt University
How do you transition from competing on the world stage at the Olympics to matching into an elite medical residency? Join host Deana Golini as she interviews Sam, an MS4 at Sidney Kimmel Medical College, who just matched into her top-choice Anesthesiology program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Sam shares her unique journey as a non-traditional student athlete who spent her gap years bala
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"
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" deci
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 vulner
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," ho
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 al
25: Ashley, M2 at New York Medical College
What do you do when your medical school dreams and personal life collide? You master the art of disciplined organization. Join host Deana Golini as she interviews Ashley Abing, an M2 at New York Medical College, who just balanced the academic intensity of second year with her own wedding weekend. Ashley, an alumna of the Brown University Master’s in Medical Sciences, shares how she transitioned fr
24: Sheila, M2 at University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
What do you do when medical school tells you "no" twice? You fight harder. Join host Deana Golini as she interviews Sheila "Shay" Solares, an M2 at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, about her three-cycle journey to the white coat. Sheila shares the reality of being a first-generation student navigating a system she didn't fully understand until her third attempt. From
23: Ishan, M4 at Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
Is a three-year Internal Medicine residency just a stepping stone, or the foundation of your career? Join host Deana Golini as she interviews Ishan Gupta, an M4 at the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, about his hyper-focused path toward a Cardiovascular Fellowship. Ishan shares the blueprint for navigating an osteopathic medical curriculum that included a staggering 120 exams in two years.
22: Paulos, M2 at University of California Davis School of Medicine | Med School Years Podcast
Ready to bet on yourself, even when the odds seem impossible? Join hosts Deana and Carlos as they sit down with Paulos Flores, an M2 at UC Davis School of Medicine, whose journey to medicine is anything but typical. Paulos spent nearly a decade as a professional poker player and a long-term caregiver for his mother before deciding to pursue medicine in his 30s. He shares the raw reality of startin
21: Cold Email to Mass Eye and Ear: An M4’s ENT Research Breakthrough
Ready for the strategic blueprint to matching into a highly competitive surgical specialty? Join hosts Deana and Carlos as they dive deep with Afash Haleem, an M4 at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS), who is applying for Otolaryngology (ENT). Afash shares his unique journey as a BS/MD graduate who strategically took a gap year for a research fellowship at Mass Eye and Ear. He reveals how he
20: First-Gen to Future Neurosurgeon: Building Research, Mentorship, & Credibility
Ready to find your strength and community amidst the competitive demands of medical school? Join hosts Deana and Carlos as they sit down with Deondra Montgomery, an M3 at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine (MSU CHM), about turning cultural shock and academic challenge into focused momentum. Deondra shares the profound emotional pressure of being a Latina/Black, first-generation st
19: OMM in a Scalpel World: Practical Ways DOs Add Value on Surgical Teams
Welcome to the nineteenth episode of The Med School Years Podcast! We sit down with Kamilla, an M4 at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNECOM), who is gearing up to apply for the incredibly competitive field of Cardiothoracic Surgery. Kamilla shares her unique journey, detailing how she transitioned from a Business and Law background (she realized she "hated tearing d
18: From Pageants to Psychiatry: Owning “You Don’t Look Like a Doctor”
Ready to fast-track your medical journey and own your unique story? Join hosts Dina and Carlos as they dive deep with Dr. Alexandra “Ally” Copa—an accelerated third-year psychiatry resident at Jackson Memorial Health System—about turning personal challenges into professional strengths in medicine. Dr. Copa shares how she went from Miss Rhode Island to Brown University, then into a pioneering three
17: The Year Medicine Gets Real: Inside a Third-Year’s Wake-Up Call
Welcome to the seventeenth episode of The Med School Years Podcast! We sit down with Nicole Hinz, an M3 at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, to discuss the raw reality of clerkships and the transition from preclinical studies. Nicole shares her journey from aspiring neurosurgeon to discovering a passion for Pediatrics, detailing the emotional shock of M3 (where she almost passe
16: NYU’s Free Tuition Mindset: The Real Pressure No One Talks About
Welcome to the sixteenth episode of The Med School Years Podcast! We interview Cindy Liu, an M2 at the prestigious NYU Grossman School of Medicine, where the median MCAT is 523 and tuition is free. Cindy offers an unfiltered look at what it's like to thrive in this hyper-competitive, yet surprisingly collaborative, environment. She discusses the pressure that comes with free tuition, how her engin
15: My Biggest Challenge in M1: Mastering the Curriculum at FAU Schmidt College of Medicine
Welcome to the fifteenth episode of The Med School Years Podcast! We sit down with Alex, an M2 at FAU Schmidt School of Medicine, to discuss his unique journey from a business major at Clemson to a medical student.Alex shares the emotional reality of receiving the long-awaited waitlist call from his top-choice school and debunks the myth that it's "too late" to switch careers in college. He dives
14: Nontrad to Utah Med Student
Welcome to the fourteenth episode of The Med School Years podcast! In this powerful discussion, we welcome back Sam, an M2 at the University of Utah Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine. As our first-ever repeat guest, Sam offers a candid look at his journey since being on the Premed Years podcast, and the profound changes and lessons he's experienced.Sam shares his unique path as a non-tradition
13: Finding Your Fit at an Ivy League Med School
Welcome to the thirteenth episode of The Med School Years podcast! In this fascinating discussion, we interview Ashley Houlihan, an M2 at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. A native of the New England community, Ashley shares her unique journey to Brown, from her time as a club ice hockey player at Syracuse to finding a true sense of belonging at an Ivy League institution.Ashley
12: The Power of Patient Stories in Medicine
Welcome to the twelfth episode of The Med School Years podcast! In this captivating discussion, we interview Anna Stone, an M2 at Emory University School of Medicine. Anna's journey is a powerful testament to the value of a humanities background and the strength found in non-traditional experiences.Anna shares why Emory's focus on community and patient stories made it her perfect culture fit, and
011: Getting into Med School After a Career Change
In this episode of the Med School Years Podcast, we sit down with Devere Knight, an M2 at the Jacobs School of Medicine at the University of Buffalo. Devere shares his unique journey as a non-traditional applicant, transitioning from a career in biotech to pursuing his dream of becoming a physician.We discuss what it's like to be part of his school's brand new curriculum, the importance of extracu
010: From Biomedical Engineering to Cardiothoracic Surgery
Welcome to the tenth episode of The Med School Years podcast! We sit down with Dr. Chris Gasparis, a newly minted MD entering PGY-1 in Cardiothoracic Surgery at Northwell Health System in New York. Dr. Gasparis matched into one of the most competitive specialties, and he's here to share the blueprint for how he made it happen.From discovering his passion for cardiothoracic surgery to strategically
009: How an MBA Helped Shaped a Student's Medical School Journey
Harshini, a rising second-year medical student at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, joins The Med School Years to reflect on her M1 year and the path that brought her to medicine. After earning a BS in Biology and a BA in Psychology at Stony Brook University, Harshini completed an MBA during her gap year—a decision that strengthened her leadership skills and gave her a deeper understandin
008: Medical Writer to Aspiring Vascular Interventionalist: A Unique Path to MD
Welcome to the eighth episode of The Med School Years podcast! In this fascinating discussion, Deana Golini and Carlos Tapia interview Kasthuri Nair, an M4 student at Emory University School of Medicine. Kasthuri shares her truly unique journey, from her undergraduate days at Brown University, through a medical writing internship at MD Anderson, and a Master's at Johns Hopkins, to becoming a medic
007: How This Student Got Into Ohio State Med School Without a Gap Year
Meet RJ, a now second-year medical student at The Ohio State University College of Medicine who was accepted without taking a gap year. In this episode of The Med School Years, RJ shares how he transitioned from a small, Catholic university (Notre Dame) to a large state school, and how staying organized helped him navigate the med school application process.He reflects on how his two minors, Latin
006: The REAL Strategy for Matching into a Top Residency
Welcome to the sixth episode of The Med School Years podcast! In this highly anticipated episode, we sit down with Dr. Joshua McBriar, a freshly minted PGY-1 in Neurosurgery at Lenox Hill Neurosurgery/Zucker School of Medicine. Joshua matched into one of the most competitive specialties, and he's here to share the blueprint for how he made it happen.From discovering his passion for neurosurgery to
005: Navigating the MD-PhD Path at Weill Cornell Medicine
Welcome to the fifth episode of The Med School Years podcast! In this episode, we interview Cristian Ovies, a 3rd-year MD-PhD student at Weill Cornell Medicine, offering a deep dive into the unique world of dual-degree programs.Cristian unravels the often-complicated timeline and competitive nature of the MD-PhD dual degree, sharing how he navigated a record number of interviews to find his perfec
004: Exploring the DO Path & Shattering Stigmas
Welcome to the fourth episode of The Med School Years podcast! In this episode, we interview Kelsey Mendell, a determined 3rd-year medical student at the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, offering a unique perspective on the DO path in medicine.Kelsey discusses the key differences and surprising similarities between MD and DO training, shedding light on the often-un
003: Finding Your Strength in a Male-Dominated Field
Welcome to the third episode of The Med School Years podcast! In this episode, Sabrina Pescatore, a tenacious 3rd-year medical student at UTMB, on the path to a male-dominated orthopedic residency. Sabrina shares her experiences navigating a male-dominated specialty, including the subtle (and not-so-subtle) challenges she faces. Discover her empowering motto, "You can hold the leg," and her practi
002: Steps I Took to Get Into a Competitive Neurosurgery Residency
Welcome to the second episode of The Med School Years podcast! In this episode, neurosurgery resident Gersham at University of South Florida shares his pathway and strategy into getting into one of the most competitive residencies - and what he would and wouldn't recommend.We explore the unexpected challenges of transitioning from premed to med school, navigating burnout, choosing a specialty, and
001: I Thought I Knew What Specialty I Wanted — How Med School Changed Everything
Welcome to the very first episode of The Med School Years podcast! In this episode, Drexel medical student Navin shares how his vision for becoming a doctor transformed through medical school—from wanting to be a pediatrician to pursuing interventional radiology.We explore the unexpected challenges of transitioning from premed to med school, navigating burnout, choosing a specialty, and the import
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