The Med To Be: Recent Episodes
Nneoma
A conversation anthology series that focuses on the stories of black health professionals. Season 1 is dedicated to premeds, medical students pursuing and MD degree and residents and attendings who have already received an MD degree.
In this conversation, Edem Asamoa shares his multifaceted journey as a medical student, DJ, and co-founder of organizations aimed at increasing representation in medicine. He discusses the importance of balancing creativity with the demands of medical school, the lessons learned from failure, and the significance of community engagement through initiatives like Sneakers to Scrubs and Elevate Social. Edem emphasizes the healing power of music and the importance of treating patients holistically, while also providing valuable insights for aspiring medical professionals.
And please follow us on:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themedtobe/?hl=en
AND...
Check out Edem's organizations mentioned in the video:
- Sneakers to Scrubs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sneakers2scrubs/
- Elevate Social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevatesocial/?hl=en
Chapters
00:00 Meet Edem
09:53 Balancing Multiple Interests
16:14 Navigating Medical School
33:44 Embracing Talents and Thinking Creatively in Medicine
35:56 Offical Outro.mp4
Takeaways:
- Music is a significant part of Edem's life.
- The importance of treating patients holistically, not just focusing on their diseases.
- Balancing creativity and medicine is essential for personal fulfillment.
- Gap years can provide valuable life experiences that enhance medical education.
- Embracing failure is crucial for growth and success in any field.
- Community engagement initiatives like Sneakers to Scrubs are vital for increasing diversity in medicine.
- The art of DJing involves understanding the energy of a crowd and the flow of music.
- Time management and setting boundaries are key to maintaining balance in a busy life.
- Consistency in efforts often leads to success, whether in music or medicine.
- It's important to leverage your unique talents in various fields, including medicine.
Today's special guest: Dr. Antoinette Oknokwo(!!!), a physician based in the London, a world traveller, and a Grey's Anatomy stan!
Me: "If your life was a medical drama, what would the title be?"
Antoinette: "Who Let This Girl in Here?!"
Tune into today's episode to discover the story behind "Who Let This Girl In Here?!" starring Antoinette!
Antoinette's journey is a testament to the power of resilience, self-reflection, and adaptability in navigating a medical career. We delve into her experiences as a medical student in the UK, the benefits of stepping out of your comfort zone, and her decision to pivot to a career in investment banking post-graduation. I am truly in awe of Antoinette's brilliance and her ability to embrace the different seasons of her life. Please enjoy our conversation, and let us know what you think and what inspired you from today's episode!
And please follow us on:
- Instagram: @themedtobe
Chapters
00:00 Podcast Updates and New Logo Design
02:01 Rapid Fire Questions
07:21 Why Medicine?
11:25 University in the UK
20:46 Expectation vs Reality
25:14 The Next Step: a Career in Investment Banking?
31:36 Being Uncomfortable.
Takeaways:
- The decision to pursue medicine can be influenced by personal experiences and family background.
Choosing a medical school involves a rigorous application process, including exams and interviews.
- Practical decision-making and considering personal preferences are important factors in choosing a career path.
- Letting go of expectations and being open to different opportunities can lead to personal growth and success. The decision-making process for choosing a medical school can be challenging, and the reality may differ from expectations.
- Taking a break and pursuing another course during medical school is an option, but it should be a well-considered decision.
- Antoinette decided to work in investment banking instead of practicing medicine, highlighting the importance of exploring different career paths.
- She faced struggles with mental health during medical school and sought help to overcome them.
- Dealing with uncomfortable situations and failures is a part of the journey to success, and being honest with oneself is crucial.
- Failure does not define one's abilities or future success.
- Antoinette's story emphasizes the importance of resilience, self-reflection, and adaptability in navigating a medical career.
Today's special guest: Ore Odeniyi (!!!), an M1 (first year medical student), musician, vocalist, and all around wonderful woman!
In today's episode, we chat about her journey in medicine and her experience in medical school. She initially wanted to become a lawyer but was inspired to pursue medicine after watching the movie 'Ben Carson's Gifted Hands' and witnessing healthcare disparities in Nigeria.
Ore emphasizes the importance of mental health and self-care in medical school and advises taking it slow and showing oneself grace. We discusses the challenges of adjusting to the new curriculum and developing effective study strategies. Ore also offers tips for transitioning to a student budget and highlights the importance of pursuing passions and maintaining a balanced life outside of medicine. In this conversation, Ore Odeniyi shares her goals of completing a marathon and pursuing a career in medicine.
She also discusses her hobbies, such as playing instruments and singing. Ore emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and letting go of perfectionism in the pursuit of a medical career. She encourages pre-med students to prioritize their mental and emotional health and find joy in activities outside of academics. Ore also shares her academic journey, including her GPA, MCAT scores, and extracurricular activities. She highlights the significance of tailoring applications to schools that align with one's strengths and interests.
Please enjoy our conversation, let us know what you think, and what inspired you from todays conversation! :)
And please follow us on:
- Instagram: @themedtobe
In this conversation, I have the honor of interviewing Dr. Ope, a newly minted doctor who went to medical school in Nigeria. We discuss Dr.Ope's journey in medicine, her inspiration for going to medical school, and her experiences in both pre-clinical and clinical years.
Dr.Ope shares her struggles and how she dealt with moments of disappointment and the importance of perseverance. We also touch on the challenges of balancing medical school with other passions and the overwhelming amount of information to learn. We delve into how her medical school helped her develop as a holistic person and nurtured her talents outside of medicine. Dr.Ope talks about the phase of life she is currently in as a physician and the importance of self-reflection and self-awareness.
Lastly, she shares a few details on her beautiful relationship with her husband and how they supported each other during medical school. In this conversation, Nneoma Nzeduru interviews a guest about their journey through medical school and offers advice to aspiring medical students.
As always, I'm eager to hear your thoughts on today's episode and your ideas for future content on the Med to Be. You can catch the full episode on YouTube or give it a listen on Spotify! 🫶🏿✨]
In today's episode, I talked with Daniel, a medical student (MS3), about how he turned his dream of going to medical school into reality. We discussed what medical school is really like compared to his expectations and shared some encouraging words for premeds and current medical students. It was great chatting with Daniel, and I hope you enjoy our conversation!
As always, I'm eager to hear your thoughts on today's episode and your ideas for future content on the Med to Be. You can catch the full episode on YouTube or give them a listen here, on Spotify! 🫶🏿✨
In today's episode, I had an enlightening conversation with Ovie, a PGY-1 PM&R (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation) Physician. Ovie's journey is a tale of unexpected twists and unwavering determination. Initially setting his sights on becoming a physical therapist, he made a bold pivot toward a career in medicine. Why? Well, you'll want to stick around to uncover the full story!
Ovie's experience is a testament to his resilience and laser-focused approach to achieving his goals. We dive deep into the hurdles he conquered during his medical school journey, which ultimately forged him into the exceptional physician he is today. Additionally, Ovie shares a heartwarming message to aspiring physicians, a message that could be just what someone out there needs to hear right now. Trust me, you won't want to miss this insightful conversation!
As always, I'm eager to hear your thoughts on today's episode and your ideas for future content on the Med to Be. You can catch the full episode on YouTube or give it a listen on Spotify! 🫶🏿✨
Today's special guest is Dr. Reddhyia! She is a PGY-1 practicing family medicine, passionate about fusing cultural and environmental influence with healthcare, DIYs, and traveling. She is also the first (and definitely not the last) D.O. physician to grace our show!
Reddhyia and I chat about being confident in yourself and your failures, the essence of self-care as a physician, and the beauty of the "right moment".
Please follow Reddhyia to see more of her story and her amazing DIY projects:
Creative in A White Coat: https://www.instagram.com/creativeinawhitecoat/?hl=en
Personal Page: https://www.instagram.com/bornreddhy/?hl=en
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/reddhyART?ref=shop_sugg_market
Today's guest is the one and only....Dr. Preston Igwe!!!
Fun fact: Preston is an elite Yelper! He's also a lover of spoken word and also advocates for being intentional about taking care of your mental health.
Dr. Preston Igwe is a Psychiatrist resident who loves to share his story with the future generation of health professionals. From growing up in H-Town to his new chapter in LA, we talk about the twists and turns that Preston experienced on his journey to becoming a Psychiatrist at UCLA! We also talk about the importance of giving yourself grace in pursuing your passion and embracing your own unique path. I had such a great time speaking with him and I hope you enjoy our conversation!
Today's guest is the one and only....Dr. Osose Oboh! She is a 2nd-year resident physician, content creator, world traveler, and my mentor!
I came across her on a quick google search about 3 years ago..." should I be a doctor for black women"; yes I googled that lol. I was unsure about my next career path and I found a video of hers that inspired me so much. She shared her journey from her premed days to medical school days and I couldn't help but think "wow, she's just like me!" Shortly after, God blessed me with her as my mentor and she has been such a source of inspiration and encouragement for me and many other people.
She lives out her motto, "#BeThePlug", and is always so transparent about her journey as a physician on her Instagram and YouTube (definitely, check those out!). She is also a multi-hyphenate (photographer, model, traveler, etc) and she shares those parts of her life as well on her respective platforms. I hope you are inspired by her story and the gems she shared on this episode. Enjoy!
The first few minutes are shaky, please bear with me, I'm still growing and learning, thank you!
To watch today's episode, follow the link below:
https://youtu.be/4XikzojHpLI
Welcome back to The Med to Be!!! After a long, impromptu (but very necessary) hiatus, I have the privilege to share my conversation with not one, but TWO AMAZING M.D's to be: Abibat and Anastacia!!!
This is one of my favorite interviews because I admire these ladies so much and I was really just trying to tap into their stories and the knowledge they had to share, I'm thankful I was able to record this conversation and share it with all of you! In my interview with Anastacia and Abibat, we reflect on the rigorous medical school application process. We also discuss the importance of building a community in and out of the medical profession. Lastly, as always, I ask my guests to share some words of encouragement for future M.D's to be and honestly? You don't want to miss the words of encouragement and wisdom they have to share.
As always, regardless of your profession, I hope you are inspired by the stories shared today and motivated to push on with your dreams. Please let me know what you think of today's episode!
"The chalIenge does not negate the calling," Bianca mentioned this line during the interview and it has stuck with me for months! Has a setback ever made you question if something was for you? Have you ever felt so stressed on a task that you were considering abandoning something you felt called to do initially? Today I had the honor of speaking to Dr.Bianca Nfonoyim Bernhard, a PGY 3 Pediatrician about overcoming challenges on her MD journey.
We also talked about the difference between purpose and a career, tips for dating in medicine and leaning on God's guidance and direction as a physician. We also discussed the importance of rest, breaks, and reflection, especially on such a challenging journey.
Bianca is passionate about global health, children, and uplifting those around her. I've looked up to her for so many years and every time we cross paths, she is always so intentional about supporting and motivating me so it was only right I invited her to pour into all of you!
Thank you Dr. Bianca Nfonoyim Bernhard for taking the time to pour into me and everyone watching this episode. I hope you enjoy today’s episode!
Follow Dr. Bianca: https://www.instagram.com/bnberns/?hl=en
Follow The Med to Be: https://www.instagram.com/medtobepod/?hl=en
In this interview, I had the honor of speaking to Dr.Nweke, a PGY 3 Physiatrist (also known as a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) physician) about his journey in medicine, overcoming adversity, and the effects of fear.
Fun fact, when I met Dr. Nweke for the first time at AMEC this year, I introduced myself as “the girl that cried on the podcast” and he cracked up, it was hilarious. He’s so wise and has so much knowledge to share; please watch this interview regardless of your career because I believe what he says can resonate with anyone at any point of their life.
If anyone has ever faced failure over and over again while pursuing a goal, you may understand the frustration and fear that builds up and makes you question if a path is even for you: Whether that failure is a job rejection, failing an exam, losing an important deal or navigating a complex relationship, it hurts to put work into something and not see the immediate fruits of your labor. As Dr. Nweke shared his time of failure and “becoming”, I broke down because it resonated with where I was at the time. I contemplated removing the crying moment because it’s kind of an awkward and very vulnerable moment also, I don’t want y’all to see my crying face cause its sort of cringe and funny at the same time I can’t even lie haha, but it was so pivotal to the turning point of the conversation and the advice that Dr. Nweke poured into me. Thank you Dr. Nweke for taking the time to pour into me in such a vulnerable moment. I hope you enjoy today’s episode!
Follow Dr. Nnameka Nweke: https://www.instagram.com/dr_onyemmeme_md/?hl=en
Follow The Med to Be: https://www.instagram.com/medtobepod/?hl=en
In this episode of The Med to Be, I had the pleasure of speaking to my wonderful friend, Udoka!!!!
Udoka is an MS2 (her second year of medical school) at Temple University! She also makes great pre-med, hair, and beauty content on Instagram and TikTok (@dokacatt and @mycrownandskin)
In this interview, Udoka gives an honest and transparent walkthrough of her undergrad experience and her medical school application process. Udoka also shares advice and words of wisdom to anyone considering applying to medical school. We also talked about the importance of non-negotiables and being happy in the present moment!
I hope you enjoy listening to this interview!
In this episode of The Med to Be, I had the pleasure of speaking to a wonderful person and an old friend of mine, Chinemerem!!
Chinemerem is a premed student, a medical school applicant, and a clinical research coordinator. He also has his own podcast "Where The Health Are We?" (@wthaw.pod on Instagram and streaming on all podcast platforms!)
We talked about the importance of Day 1's, delayed gratification and sacrifice, dealing with failure and perfectionism, and advice for high school and undergraduate students considering a career in medicine!
I had a great time talking and listening to Chinemerem, I hope you enjoy the conversation!
KC is an MS2 (a 2nd-year medical student) at Drexel University and was part of the DPMS linkage program (Drexel Pathway to Medical School program).
In addition to thriving as a medical student, he is a mentor and an avid soccer fan with a possible biopic in the works starring... (you'll have to watch to find out, lol).
In my conversation with KC, he opens up about his GPA, MCAT, undergraduate experience, and his current sentiments as a medical student. We also talked about sacrifice and the importance of black representation in medicine.
I hope you enjoy today's episode!
*side note, the first few may sound like we're in a tunnel haha, we had some audio difficulty (please bear with me y'all I'm still learning lol)
Thank you for watching, have a wonderful day!
God bless you!
This is the first episode of the Med To Be; Hosted by me, Nneoma, with Katherina as my special guest. Katherina is a 4th-year medical student (3rd year when I recorded this, lol) and in this episode, she shares her journey as a medical student thus far and shares her experience with the MCAT. As the best aunty in the world, she shares her experience caring for her sister while in labor and eventually, delivering her niece at home.