
Less Than 3%
Less Than 3% follows James Charpentier as he shares his journey toward long-term goals, offering listeners a look at the experiences and questions that come with that path. He discusses the obstacles, issues, and difficult conversations surrounding the medical field. Alongside those broader topics, he brings his own perspective as a young Black man pursuing a career in medicine.
Episodes

Navigating Clinical Rotations and Patient Care w/ Kailah Hyndman
From the classroom to clinical rotations and beyond, medical school is a journey of continuous change. In this episode, James Charpentier is joined by Kailah Hyndman to discuss her experiences as a fourth-year medical student, the challenges of the medical journey, and the insights she's gained along the way.

The Real Reason Patients Don't Trust Doctors
Trust is the foundation of the physician-patient relationship, yet many patients across the country have lost confidence in physicians and the healthcare system. In this episode, James Charpentier explores the factors driving physician distrust and practical solutions for strengthening the relationship between patients and healthcare professionals.References:1. Cultural Competence in Health Care:

Medicine, Music, and Matching Into Plastic Surgery w/ Dr. Palak Oza
Medicine often demands everything—but finding space for personal passions can make the journey more meaningful. In this episode, James Charpentier sits down with Dr. Palak Oza to explore how her love of music and the arts has influenced her career and perspective as she transitions into plastic surgery.

Your ZIP Code Is Killing You (Here's Why)
Your ZIP code may be one of the most powerful predictors of your health. In this episode, James Charpentier examines how factors like income and food availability can shape health outcomes—and why two communities just miles apart can experience vastly different realities.References:1. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Home of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

How to Study, Success in Residency, and Internal Medicine with Dr. Justin Mirville
The journey to becoming a physician is full of transitions that make it crucial to learn how to grow along the way. In this episode, James Charpentier is joined by Dr. Justin Mirville as they discuss his path to becoming a 2nd year resident and what thriving in residency looks like.

Physician Distrust, Pediatric Surgery, and EMS Stories with Lillian Lee
With many people feeling distrustful of the healthcare system, it is important to establish connection between caretakers and communities. In this episode, James Charpentier is joined by Lillian Lee as she discusses her impact in the community as an EMT and how other medical students can help bridge this gap.

The Truth about Caffeine in Student Life
Caffeine is a staple in the daily routines of many, especially students across the country. But what are the real effects of this popular stimulant? In this episode, James Charpentier dives into the possible health benefits and risks associated with caffeine consumption, both in the short term and the long term. Whether you're a coffee lover or just looking to stay awake during study sessions,

Child Psychiatry, Patient Connection, and Holistic Care w/ Dr. Akeem Marsh
The field of mental health continues to gain significance in the eyes of many, and psychiatry allows physicians to care for patients in this area. In this episode, James Charpentier is joined by Dr. Akeem Marsh to discuss his journey into psychiatry and how he addresses certain barriers and obstacles to the mental health of his patients.

Residency, Classroom vs Clinic, and Memorable Patient Stories with Dr. Chad Henry
Residency is a pivotal step along the medical journey, as physicians take on the responsibility of managing their own patients and embrace the challenges of life as doctors. In this episode, James Charpentier is joined by Dr. Chad Henry to discuss his greatest lessons learned in his first year as a physician, and what it looks like to transition from the med school classroom into the clinic.

Conquering First Year, Challenges, and Improving Community Health with Mohammed Kadir
Community health is an aspect of healthcare that applies not only to individual patients, but entire populations and cultures. In this episode, James Charpentier is joined by Mohammed Kadir to discuss strategies for overcoming med school and how to provide a higher standard of healthcare for underserved communities.

What I Wish I Knew Before I Started Med School // LTTP S2 E24
Medical school is a journey filled with obstacles and challenges, and it is important for medical students to approach it with the right mindset. In this episode, James Charpentier discusses some tips he has for med students in dealing with this process and lessons he has learned along the way.

Pre-Med, Women of Color in Medicine, and Making an Impact with Fatimah Coppin
Navigating the path to becoming a physician entails overcoming academic hurdles, such as successfully completing undergraduate studies as a pre-med. In this episode, James Charpentier is accompanied by Fatimah Coppin, as they discuss the significance of women in color in the medical field and how she plans to make an impact in healthcare.

Careers in Medicine: What I Learned in My First Semester
Becoming a physician is only one part of the journey, with there being a plethora of different specialties of doctors in the United States. In this episode, James Charpentier discusses a few of the many types of physicians, and he invites his listeners to take part in the interactive discussion.
See references for this episode here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1akKQB6ROb1DP2idyV93JxEnq9X5a

Balancing School and Life, Specialties, and Secrets to Success with Benjamin Gay
One of the biggest challenges many students deal with is how to balance priorities in school with all the other parts of life that matter. In this episode, James Charpentier is joined by Benjamin Gay as they discuss Benjamin's journey in setting priorities straight and achieving success in his first year of medical school.

Precision Medicine and Patient Care
Some of the more recent advances in healthcare are the shift toward more personalized care and the influx of technology. Precision medicine is a newer form of medicine that uses both of these advances. In this episode, James Charpentier discusses how precision medicine is shaping the future and healthcare and what this means for the care of patients in underserved communities.
References:
Natio

Finishing Medical School, Emergency Medicine, and Mentorship w/ Edem Adika
Medical school is a long and challenging journey for many students across the country, and there are plenty of life lessons to learn along the way. In this episode, James Charpentier is accompanied by Edem Adika, a fourth year medical student, as they talk about things he has learned from his entire medical school journey and what has led him to the field of Emergency Medicine.

Why Diversity in Healthcare Matters
One of the most emphasized topics on the podcast is increasing diversity in healthcare and caring for diverse and underserved communities. But what makes this so important? In this episode, James Charpentier discusses the issue of health disparities in the medical field and the role of diversity in dealing with this problem.
References:
AB. "Patient-Physician Racial Concordance and the Per

Fitness, Training, and Taking Your Health to the Next Level w/ Mark Jean Pierre
Devoting time to fitness and exercise is one of the most crucial parts of improving one's health and wellness. In this episode, James Charpentier is accompanied by Mark Jean Pierre, trainer and founder of MarkMyBodyFitness, as they discuss the role of personal training and fitness alongside medicine in helping health outcomes.

Cultural Competence and its Future in Healthcare
Physicians need to be able to effectively understand and connect with each of their patients, and personalizing care is a crucial way to do so. In this episode, James Charpentier discusses how the concept of cultural competence can impact the way physicians treat patients and the role this plays in the future of healthcare.
References:
Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medi

Being an Unorthodox Student, Lessons From Med School, and Overcoming Pressure w/ Dominic Daniraim
Medical students often have to face the challenge of preparing for major tests, such as Step 1, Step 2, and others. Dealing with the pressure of preparing for these exams can be an obstacle for many of these students. In this episode, Dominic Daniraim joins James Charpentier to discuss how he overcame these challenges, being an unorthodox student, and being a Black man on the medical path.

How Strength Training Makes You a Better Student
Strength training is a popular activity for its benefits on physical fitness. However, what often goes unmentioned is the positive impact it can have on mental health, particularly for students. In this episode, James Charpentier discusses the ways in which strength training can enhance cognitive performance, ultimately helping academic success.
References:
Knowing Neurons. "How Weight Lif

Minoxidil: A Short Episode on Beard Growth, Skin, and Self Care
Minoxidil is a product that has been in more recent conversation regarding skin care and beard growth. In this episode, James Charpentier discusses whether this product is safe and effective for those growing beards and the role this can play in one's health.
References:
Mineo, A. (2023, April 26). Can you use minoxidil for beard growth? we asked the experts. Byrdie. https://www.byrdie.com/

Being a Black Male in Medicine, Med School Advice, and Anesthesiology w/ Ebubechucwu Obiora
Medical school is one of the most impacful experiences for many students aiming to become physicians, but is also the one of greatest challenges students go through. Join us in this episode as Ebubechucwu Obiora, a 2nd-year medical student, engages in a conversation with James Charpentier. They discuss overcoming challenges in medical school, navigating the journey to becoming a physician as a bla

Resident Unionization: What Does it Mean for the Future of Healthcare?
Residency is one of the toughest parts of the journey to becoming a physician. Long hours, difficult work conditions, and lower pay are some of many factors that have driven medical residents to demand changes. In this episode, James Charpentier discusses the unionization of residents at medical facilities and how this can impact the future of healthcare in the United States.
References:
Associ

Footwear, Fashion, and Mental Health with Silas Lavino
Fashion and healthcare are two words that do not typically go together in a sentence. However, the concepts of fashion and health are often more interconnected than you may think. In this episode, Silas Lavino joins James Charpentier to discuss the mental health struggles of many within the fashion industry, and how people in both medicine and fashion can confront these problems.

How Anxiety Harms Your Health
Anxiety is one of the most prevalent health-related issues in the United States today. Although many are aware of its effects on mental health, it can have a devastating impact on your physical health. In this episode, James Charpentier discusses the impact of anxiety on physical well-being and what can be done to address it.
References:
Advanced Psychiatry Associates. "The Effects of Anxi

Motivational Interviewing in Patient Care: Does it Work?
One of the most important aspects of physicians caring for patients is communication. Without it, it can be difficult for doctors to help patients reach their health goals and stick to their treatment plans. With the increasing popularity of motivational interviewing being done by physicians, it raises the question of how it can impact patient care. In this episode, James Charpentier discusses the

Racism and Medical Education
The quality of physicians' education plays the greatest role in how they treat their patients. If future doctors operate on inaccurate or biased knowledge, it can have a dangerous effect. In this episode, James Charpentier discusses the impact that racism can have within medical training, and what needs to be done for medical schools to correct this.
References:
Penn Medicine. How Medical S

Will AI Replace Doctors in the Near Future?
The growth of artificial intelligence has been one of the most prominent current events across the United States. Many have discussed fears and concerns about this growth and how issues such as the loss of many jobs could come at the hands of this newly developing technology. In this episode, James Charpentier discusses how the growth of AI plays into the healthcare, and whether doctors could be a

Physician Shortages: What's Happening and What Does it Mean for the Future of Healthcare?
One of the most urgent topics surrounding healthcare in the United States is physician shortages, which are expected to be a significant issue in the coming years. In this episode, James Charpentier discusses just how serious this problem is and how this can be addressed.
References:
4 factors that lead to physician shortages. Definitive Healthcare. (n.d.). Retrieved April 9, 2023, from https://w

3 Things I Learned as a Pre-Med
The process of becoming a physician is one that is very long-winded, with years of committing to learning and growing as student and trainee. One of the first major steps in this process is completing undergrad. In this episode, James Charpentier discusses three things he learned as a result of his time as an undergraduate.

Physician Burnout: Why it Matters and What Can Be Done About it
Burnout among physicians has been a prevalent issue across the United States for years. In this episode, James Charpentier talks about the different factors that play into physician burnout and some of the things to consider in dealing with this issue.
References:
Bookmark. (2023, February 16). What is physician burnout? American Medical Association. Retrieved April 9, 2023, from https://www.ama-

The United States Healthcare System: How Does It Compare To That Of Other Countries?
There has been plenty of discussion surrounding the United States healthcare system over the course of years, and the healthcare systems of other countries come with their own similarities and differences to the United States. In this episode, James Charpentier discusses how the healthcare systems in other nations compares to the United States, and what can be learned from them.
References:
5 cr

The Universal Healthcare System: What Is It, And Should We Have One?
Universal healthcare is a system that is commonly talked about when discussing how to improve the US Healthcare system and how it compares to others. In this episode, James Charpentier explains the universal health care system and some of the things to consider in whether the United States should implement the system.
References:
Health Care Systems: Models, pros and cons, and Smart Health Card C

Housing and Healthcare: Food Insecurity
Healthcare does not only focus on the health and wellbeing of individuals, both often communities. One of the most prevalent public health issues across the United States is food insecurity. In this episode, James Charpentier discusses the impact of this problem and the initiatives that are being developed to address food insecurity across the country.
References:
Children's food insecurity incre

Diet and Nutrition
The foods that we consume have a large impact on physical health, mental health, and many other factors in our overall health and well-being. Having a consistent diet that allows us to take in quality, healthy foods is one of the most important ways we can achieve our health and wellness goals. In this episode, James Charpentier discusses different popular diets in the United States and how they c

Black Women and Childbirth Inequity
Childbirth is one of the most significant health-related events in the lives of many individuals, specifically women who are pregnant. It is important that the safety of these individuals is protected during such a crucial time, but healthcare disparities that exist across the United States impact Black women disproportionately during childbirth. In this episode, James Charpentier discusses the in

Bias: Implicit Bias in Healthcare
Considering the issue of misdiagnosis of minority patients in healthcare, it is clear how different groups of people can be subject to poor treatment by their physicians. These factors point back to the dangerous impacts of implicit bias in different fields in the United States, and the prevalence of this issue ties to even greater large-scale problems. In this episode, James Charpentier continues

Bias: Misdiagnosis and its Impact on the Healthcare System
One of the most crucial parts of treating patients as a physician or healthcare worker is being able to diagnose the issues that someone is dealing with. Unfortunately, not all diagnoses are accurate, and minority patients in the United States are often diagnosed at a disproportionate rate in certain fields of healthcare. In this episode, James Charpentier discusses the disparities that exist for

Thankfulness: Impacts and Benefits of a Grateful Mindset
With so many issues that have been covered on this podcast so far, it can be easy to focus on the negative aspects of everything and stress behind problems that impact so many people. One of the most important ways to manage and process all of these issues is by taking the time to be thankful. In this episode, James Charpentier explains the benefits of a grateful attitude and how you can begin to

Bias: What Implicit Bias is And How it Impacts Us
With many of the injustices and issues seen across the United States, an easy question to ask is why individuals would intentionally do harm to specific groups of people who don't look like them. In this episode, James Charpentier explains bias and its affect on different fields and people, and how implicit bias can cause people to treat others poorly without even recognizing it.
References:

Pain: The Disparities in Pain Management in Healthcare
Management and treatment of pain is one the most important factors when speaking of healthcare. One of the main responsibilities of physicians and other healthcare professionals treating patients is helping ease the pain that comes with health issues and illness. Unfortunately, many minority patients do not have the same experience in having their pain treated by physicians. In this episode, James

Music: How it Benefits Me and Could Help You Too
Music is one of the most powerful forms of self-expression, allowing people to explore their creativity and discover many different opportunities. In this episode, James Charpentier explains how this form of artistic expression has greatly benefitted him, and why you may want to consider using it too.
Mandell, J. Playing an Instrument: Better for Your Brain Than Just Listening. Penn Medicine Ne

The Education System
One of the most crucial parts to achieving success in the United States is quality of education. In this episode, James Charpentier speaks about the obstacles that stand in the way of many minorities looking to succeed in this area, while discussing the initiatives taking place to approach these disparities.
National Center for Education Statistics. "The Condition of Education 2021."

Food Deserts
The topic of food deserts is one that may be unfamiliar to some. In this episode, James Charpentier discusses the destructive impact of food deserts on communities across the United States and how this issue is being addressed today.
Food Empowerment Project. "Access to Healthy Food: Food Deserts." Available at: https://foodispower.org/access-health/food-deserts/
Dubowitz, T., Zenk,

Why Less Than 3%?
With this podcast beginning, the easiest question to ask is, "Why Less Than 3%"? In this episode, James Charpentier answers that question, as he discusses both his reasons for starting the podcast and the long-term goals he hopes to achieve.
References:
Huerto, R. (2020, March 31). Minority patients benefit from having minority doctors, but that's a hard match to make. University of Michigan. Ret

The Flag
This officially begins the Less Than 3% podcast. In this episode, James Charpentier discusses the controversy surrounding whether the Confederate flag should be taken down, while breaking down the reasons behind the disagreement. Explaining both sides of this debate, this episode shifts the attention of listeners to an issue that goes further back in time.
References:
Brian Resnick, N. J. (2015,
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