Our Untangled Minds by CUSM is a student-run medical education podcast with the goal of creating episodes to further explore our medical profession and expand upon the medical topics that we encounter in our everyday experiences and conversations.
Dr. Davinder Sandhu is a distinguished urologic surgeon from the United Kingdom (UK) who moved to California to further his career as a medical educator. Stay tuned for an interesting discussion on his journey in teaching medical students, the unique aspects of medical education, the differences in medical education between the US and the UK, and potential innovations that artificial intelligence can provide to the delivery of medical knowledge and medical care.
Music: https://pixabay.com/music/id-112777/
Episode Team:
Guests - Dr. Davinder Sandhu
Host - Artin Allahverdian
Script Writers - Artin Allahverdian
Audio - Sam Tincher
Producers - Sonali Joshi, Artin Allahverdian
Director - Vy Han, MD
Wonder how a doctor can also teach medical students? Join us in an educational dive into a cardiac surgeon’s transition from the operating room to the classroom as a medical educator. Sit down, relax, and enjoy an insightful discussion with Dr. Daryoush Javidi as he discusses the nuances of teaching medical students and what he is doing to improve medical education and clinical skills for his students.
Music: https://pixabay.com/music/id-112777/
Episode Team:
Guests - Dr. Daryoush Javidi
Host - Artin Allahverdian
Script Writers - Artin Allahverdian
Audio - Julia Gonda
Producers - Sonali Joshi
Director - Vy Han, MD
In this episode of Our Untangled Minds, Dr. Amelia Murray, a board-certified family physician and Assistant Professor at CUSM, joins us in discussing her journey in medicine and the unique challenges women face in the field. Dr. Murray shares her experiences navigating gender and racial biases, balancing her career with family life, and the importance of building a strong support system. Tune in to learn how a diverse medical workforce can improve patient care and what aspiring physicians can do to support equity in the field.
Music: https://pixabay.com/music/id-112777/
Episode Team:
Guests - Dr. Amelia Murray
Host - Katie Kyan, Sharanya Akula
Script Writers - Katie Kyan
Audio - Julia Gonda, Justin Yan
Producers - Sharanya Akula, Sonali Joshi
Director - Vy Han, MD
Join us in learning some of the most important things to know as a medical student in ensuring long-term financial health. Going into medicine is often a debt-heavy endeavor, so how can we balance creating a healthy financial future and paying back large student loans?
Note: At the time of recording, the SAVE plan was still available as a repayment option. At this time (08/12/2024), operations of the SAVE plan have been paused. For more details, visit https://www.ed.gov/save
Music: https://pixabay.com/music/id-112777/
Episode Team:
Guests - Dr. Andrew Paulson
Host - Kylee Madison Borger
Script Writers - Kylee Madison Borger
Audio - Kristen Masada
Producers - Artin Allahverdian, Sonali Joshi
Director - Vy Han, MD
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has made impressive advancements in treating patients with blood cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma, for more than a decade now. In this episode, we traverse the challenges and innovations of cell immunotherapy and better understand the design behind these logic-gated, genetically engineered cytotoxic cells with Dr. Yvonne Chen, a leading expert in the field. Dr. Chen is an incredibly accomplished Professor of the MIMG and CBE departments at UCLA and currently leads a Phase 1 Clinical Trial (NCT04007029) using bispecific anti-CD19/anti-CD20 CAR-T cells to treat patients with B cell malignancies.
For more information on Dr. Chen’s research: http://yvchen.bol.ucla.edu/.
Music: https://pixabay.com/music/id-112777/
Episode Team:
Guests - Dr. Yvonne Chen
Host - Brenda Ji
Script Writers - Brenda Ji
Audio - Daniel Nguyen
Producers - Artin Allahverdian, Sonali Joshi
Director - Vy Han, MD
Welcome to “Thrive Adaptive’s Journey in Inclusive Sports”, where we explore the inspiring world of adaptive sports (sporting events dedicated to people with disabilities). Join us in chatting with Joe Holt, co-founder of Thrive Adaptive, as he shares insights and stories of creating this organization dedicated to providing medical support for adaptive sports. Discover the challenges, triumphs, and innovations that drive this dynamic community forward. Whether you're an athlete, healthcare provider, supporter, or simply curious, this podcast offers a unique perspective on the transformative power of adaptive sports.
Extra Information: https://thriveadaptive.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Thrive-Adaptive-Western-CUSM-FINAL.pdf
Music: https://pixabay.com/music/id-112777/
Episode Team:
Guests - Joe Holt
Host - Rheem Fawaz, Ethan Izu
Script Writers - Rheem Fawaz, Ethan Izu
Audio - Kristen Masada
Producers - Sonali Joshi
Director - Vy Han, MD
Title: Hypnotherapy in Medicine
Descriptor: Join us in debunking the misconceptions of hypnotherapy and learning about what hypnotherapy actually is all about - and what it’s not. We’ve all seen hypnosis for entertainment, but what about hypnotherapy for managing your lifestyle in a positive direction? Our expert, Jessicah joins us today to talk about her experiences as a hypnotherapist.
Music: https://pixabay.com/music/id-112777/
Episode Team:
Guests - Jessicah Neufeldt
Host - Jonathan Haase, Jamie Hsu
Script Writers - Jonathan Haase, Jamie Hsu
Audio - Julia Gonda, Justin Yan
Producers - Sharanya Akula, Sonali Joshi
Director - Vy Han, MD
Join us in chatting with Dr. Jessica Evert, the former Executive Director of Child Family Health International and their current Global Medical Director. She is a long-time advocate for ethical standards in global health, especially with regard to medical students participating in global health experiences. Global health is a great buzzword for future careers in medicine, but how can we ensure we are actually benefiting the communities we are trying to serve and not actively causing harm?
Music: https://pixabay.com/music/id-112777/
Episode Team:
Guests - Jessica Evert, MD
Host - Kylee Madison Borger, MD MPH
Script Writers - Kylee Madison Borger, MD MPH
Audio - Kylee Madison Borger, MD MPH, Samuel Tincher (MS1), Justin Yan (MS1)
Producers - Artin Allahverdian (MS1), Sonali Joshi (MS1)
Director - Vy Han, MD
Step into our shoes as we recount our firsthand experiences navigating Bolivia's healthcare landscape. From a pharmacy system that might surprise you to the initiatives of SAFCI and the age-old wisdom of traditional medicine, witness a unique blend of care and well-being in action.
Music: https://pixabay.com/music/corporate-upbeat-inspiring-126180/
Episode Team:
Guests - Miguel Rey Villanueva (MS4), Jon Oules (MS4), Dharshan Chandramohan (MS4)
Host - Joshua Mandap (MS4)
Script Writers - Jon Oules (MS4), Dharshan Chandramohan (MS4), Joshua Mandap (MS4), Miguel Rey Villanueva (MS4)
Audio - Jon Oules (MS4), Dharshan Chandramohan (MS4), Joshua Mandap (MS4), Miguel Rey Villanueva (MS4), Kristen Masada (MS1), Justin Yan (MS1)
Producers - Cheyenne Canizares (MS3), Anna Nguyen (MS2)
Director - Vy Han, MD
Gain unparalleled insights into Bolivia's healthcare system as we sit down with two local physicians and a medical student. Discover the challenges, innovations, and stories that define medicine in this unique corner of the world.
Episode Team:
Guests - Miguel Rey Villanueva (MS4), Joshua Mandap (MS4), Jon Oules (MS4)
Host - Dharshan Chandramohan (MS4)
Script Writers - Jon Oules (MS4), Dharshan Chandramohan (MS4), Joshua Mandap (MS4), Miguel Rey Villanueva (MS4)
Audio - Jon Oules (MS4), Dharshan Chandramohan (MS4), Joshua Mandap (MS4), Miguel Rey Villanueva (MS4), Kristen Masada (MS1), Justin Yan (MS1)
Producers - Cheyenne Canizares (MS3), Anna Nguyen (MS2)
Director - Vy Han, MD
Embark on a linguistic adventure with us as we share our experience from weekly Spanish classes, delve into the world of Spanish idioms, and uncover the significance of Bolivia's native languages like Aymara. Communication is more than just words; it's a bridge to understanding.
Episode Team:
Guests - Dharshan Chandramohan (MS4), Joshua Mandap (MS4), Jon Oules (MS4)
Host - Miguel Rey Villanueva (MS4)
Script Writers - Jon Oules (MS4), Dharshan Chandramohan (MS4), Joshua Mandap (MS4), Miguel Rey Villanueva (MS4)
Audio - Jon Oules (MS4), Dharshan Chandramohan (MS4), Joshua Mandap (MS4), Miguel Rey Villanueva (MS4), Kristen Masada (MS1), Justin Yan (MS1), Anthony Mamaril (MS2)
Producers - Cheyenne Canizares (MS3), Anna Nguyen (MS2)
Director - Vy Han, MD
Dive deep into the heart of Bolivia as we explore the Iceberg model of culture, savor the rich flavors of Bolivian cuisine, and hear firsthand from a sustainable tourism consultant and local physician. A journey into the country's rich tapestry begins here.
Episode Team:
Guests - Dharshan Chandramohan (MS4), Joshua Mandap (MS4), Miguel Rey Villanueva (MS4)
Host - Jon Oules (MS4)
Script Writers - Jon Oules (MS4), Dharshan Chandramohan (MS4), Joshua Mandap (MS4), Miguel Rey Villanueva (MS4)
Audio - Jon Oules (MS4), Dharshan Chandramohan (MS4), Joshua Mandap (MS4), Miguel Rey Villanueva (MS4), Kristen Masada (MS1), Anthony Mamaril (MS2)
Producers - Cheyenne Canizares (MS3), Anna Nguyen (MS2)
Director - Vy Han, MD
Despite centuries of study, Schizophrenia and its causes remain complicated to comprehend. The current methods of treatment target primarily the brain's dopamine pathways, and while they suffice in resolving acute psychosis, only 13.5% of patients with Schizophrenia fully recover enough to live a "normal" life.
To understand the nature of severe mental illness and to hopefully move towards a better prognosis for our patients, a more multidisciplinary approach is needed. Dr. Adonis Sfera is a Professor of Behavioral Health at Loma Linda University, a Forensic Psychiatrist par Excellence, and one of the leading researchers into potential immunogenic causes of Schizophrenia and other mental illnesses. In surveying the myriad contributors to this fearsome illness that range from interleukins to social isolation, we can start to see the fundamental interconnectedness of all aspects of medicine: that the body, the mind, and the social environment, usually seen as separate, are merely parts of a cohesive system.
Music: https://pixabay.com/music/id-112777/
Episode Team:
Guest - Adonis Sfera, MD
Host - Peter Bota (MS2)
Script Writer - Peter Bota (MS2)
Audio - Katrina Kao (MS2), Kristen Masada (MS1), Justin Yan (MS1)
Producers - Peter Bota (MS2), Yuu Ohno (MS2)
Director - Vy Han, MD
The workplace originated as a male-centric environment until the 1950s when women moved into the workplace for good due to WWII. Despite female workers making up over half of the workforce (56.8%, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), women continue to mold themselves to adapt to an environment made by men, for men. Join us in this episode as we sit down with four female medical students and uncover topics that often present nuanced challenges to specifically female workers. From topics such as beauty bias and gender-based discrimination to menstruation and family planning, your sisters in medical school have got your back with recent scientific literature, candid conversations, and unique perspectives so that you can gain new insight and feel empowered to make the workplace - and healthcare - a more inclusive space.
Music: https://pixabay.com/music/id-112777/
Episode Team:
Guests - Sofia Lochner (MS2), Allison Kimbell (MS3), Lana Mamoun (MS3)
Host - Rachel Han (MS2)
Script Writers - Rachel Han (MS2), Sofia Lochner (MS2), Allison Kimbell (MS3), Lana Mamoun (MS3)
Audio - Lien Ha (MS2), Justin Yan (MS1)
Producers - Ria Angelica Laxa (MS2), Hijab Gulwani (MS2)
Supervising Producer - Yuu Ohno (MS2)
Director - Vy Han, MD
Resources:
In this episode, CUSM medical students Jonathan Cummings, Jeff Chen, and John (Se Jong) Choi discuss how sports positively impact their journey through medicine. Despite the demanding rigors of medical school, these three individuals prioritize practice, games, and training in their busy weeks. They discuss how sports have improved their physical and mental health and helped them gain essential skills that have shaped their goals and interests in medicine.
Music: https://pixabay.com/music/id-112777/
Episode Team:
Guests - Jeff Chen (MS2), Se Jong Choi (MS2), Jonathan Cummings (MS2)
Host - Jason Dagoon (MS2)
Script Writer - Jason Dagoon (MS2)
Audio - Theresa Dinh (MS2), Kristen Masada (M1)
Producers - Sarah Kim (MS2), Yuu Ohno (MS2)
Director - Vy Han, MD
In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Nakae, the Senior Associate Dean of Equity, Inclusion, Diversity, and Community Partnership here at CUSM. Dr. Nakae was formerly part of a medical school's admissions committee and shares her insight on the role of diversity and inclusion in admissions, as well as answers applicant questions regarding the medical school application process.
Music: https://pixabay.com/music/id-112777/
Episode Team:
Guest - Sunny Nakae, PhD, MSW
Host - Birpartap Thind (MS2)
Script Writers - Birpartap Thind (MS2)
Audio - Danny Abdalnour (MS2), Anthony Mamaril (MS2), Kristen Masada (MS1), and Justin Yan (MS1)
Producers - Hijab Gulwani (MS2), Sarah Kim (MS2)
Supervising Producer - Yuu Ohno (MS2)
Director - Vy Han, MD
In this episode, we share the remarkable stories of two individuals who embarked on their college journeys at ages that will leave you undoubtedly astonished. Our guest at the incredible age of 11, and our host at just 15. What makes their stories all the more captivating is their shared pursuit for the medical field. As they openly reflect on the highs and lows of their early college experiences, you'll gain insight into the unique advantages and challenges that come with starting college ahead of the curve.
Music: https://pixabay.com/music/id-112777/
Episode Team:
Guest - Kinsley Wang
Host - Anna Nguyen (MS2)
Script Writer - Anna Nguyen (MS2)
Audio - Se Jong Choi (MS2), Anthony Mamaril (MS2)
Producers - Anna Nguyen (MS2), Hijab Gulwani (MS2)
Supervising Producer - Yuu Ohno (MS2)
Director - Vy Han, MD
When one imagines the applications of a medical education, one typically thinks of working in a hospital or clinic, perhaps even providing medical expertise in a courtroom; but what about furthering the progress of archaeology? Recently, a team of scientists were able to perform the first full human genome sequencing of one of the victims of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in Pompeii, a disaster which killed the entire population of that thriving beach town and preserved it under a layer of volcanic ash for nearly 2000 years. This amazing feat is a major breakthrough in the fields of both biology, pushing the boundaries of genome sequencing of damaged and ancient specimens, and archaeology, with the potential to learn more about the genetic and health makeup of the people of the distant past.
A key player in this discovery is Dr. Fabio Macciardi, a Molecular Psychiatrist and Professor at CUSM. We will be interviewing Dr. Macciardi as to how he got involved in this fascinating project, and on how he blends together his work in Molecular Genetics, Psychiatry, and Ancient Mediterranean History.
Music: https://pixabay.com/music/id-112777/
Episode Team:
Guest - Fabio Macciardi, M.D., Ph.D.
Host - Peter Bota (MS2)
Script Writer - Peter Bota (MS2)
Audio - Katrina Kao (MS2), Anthony Mamaril (MS2)
Producers - Peter Bota (MS2), Yuu Ohno (MS2)
Director - Vy Han, MD
Medical school can present challenges that students have never experienced before, and it is vital for them to take care of their mental health. In this episode, we sat down with Dr. Deborah Wright, the Director of Counseling and Wellness at CUSM, discussing her experiences and ideas on how medical students can best cope with the lifestyle changes that medical school brings.
Music: https://pixabay.com/music/id-112777/
Episode Team:
Guest - Deborah Wright, EdD, MSW, LCSW
Host - Birpartap Thind (MS2)
Script Writers - Birpartap Thind (MS2)
Audio - Danny Abdalnour (MS2), Sagar Pyreddy (MS2), Anthony Mamaril (MS2)
Producers - Hijab Gulwani (MS2), Sarah Kim (MS2)
Supervising Producer - Yuu Ohno (MS2)
Director - Vy Han, MD
In the final installment of the series, we conclude our discourse on the effects of Rett Syndrome on daily life. It is our aim and hope that this series will be helpful to anyone who desires to better understand and serve people with Rett Syndrome and their families. Thank you for listening!
Episode Team:
Guest - G. Vicky Casillas, Pharm.D
Hosts - Cameron Casillas (MS4), Dharshan Chandramohan (MS4), Nancy Luong (MS4)
Script Writer - Cameron Casillas
Audio - Dharshan Chandramohan, Vedhika Reddy (MS3), Cheyenne Canizares (MS3)
Producers - Cameron Casillas (MS4), Cheyenne Canizares (MS3), Jude Banihani (MS4), Sydney Cummings (MS4)
Director - Vy Han, MD
Once a disease only leading world specialists were aware of twenty-odd years ago, Rett Syndrome has since made its way into standardized medical education. Yet, the reality of the condition extends far beyond what the textbooks can teach. In this episode, Cameron and his mother, Vicky Casillas, speak on their experiences of having a loved one diagnosed with Rett Syndrome.
Episode Team:
Guest - G. Vicky Casillas, Pharm.D
Hosts - Cameron Casillas (MS4), Dharshan Chandramohan (MS4), Nancy Luong (MS4)
Script Writer - Cameron Casillas (MS4)
Audio - Dharshan Chandramohan (MS4), Vedhika Reddy (MS3), Andreana Chen (MS3), Cheyenne Canizares (MS3)
Producers - Cameron Casillas (MS4), Cheyenne Canizares (MS3), Jude Banihani (MS4), Sydney Cummings (MS4)
Director - Vy Han, MD
In this special three-part series, we discuss Rett Syndrome, a genetic disease that has resulted in the permanently arrested development of untold children till the modern era. Affecting girls predominantly, families have learned to live life with their loved ones suffering under it… but will it always have to be this way? This episode takes a deeper dive into the known pathophysiology of Rett Syndrome, as well as the efforts underway to devise a cure.
Episode Team:
Guest - G. Vicky Casillas, Pharm.D
Hosts - Cameron Casillas (MS4)
Script Writers - Cameron Casillas (MS4), Skye Lander (MS3)
Audio - Dharshan Chandramohan (MS4), Vedhika Reddy (MS3)
Producer - Cameron Casillas (MS4), Cheyenne Canizares (MS3), Jude Banihani (MS4), Sydney Cummings (MS4)
Director - Vy Han, MD
Resources:
https://reverserett.org/ Rett Syndrome Research Trust
https://www.rettsyndrome.org/ International Rett Syndrome Foundation
https://rettsyndromenews.com/experimental-treatments-for-rett-syndrome/ Rett Syndrome News
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/rett-syndrome-genetics-clinical-features-and-diagnosis?search=rett%20syndrome&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1~35&usage_type=default&display_rank=1 UpToDate
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0166223615002829 Rett Syndrome: Crossing the Threshold to Clinical Translation
Hello listeners! Put on your chef hats, twirl those rolling pins, and prepare for ascension through science's best cookie with all of its psychological and medical repercussions with our guest, Lily Filipowska! See below for the full recipe:
Ingredients
1¾ cups (218.75 g) all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) baking soda
14 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
¾ cup (165 g) dark brown sugar
½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 egg
1 egg yolk
1¼ cups (225 g) semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
Welcome to Skye’s Salivating Shakshuka Cook-a-long! This recipe has a 10 minute prep time and a 15 minute cook time. Make sure to gulf it down right away, as the eggs will overcook with any major delays. The humble shakshuka is the classic Middle Eastern breakfast consisting of poached eggs in a tomato sauce.
Recipe for 2 servings:
1 Tbs Olive Oil
4 Eggs
1 Can of Diced Tomatoes 15 oz or ½ to 1 Can of Tomato Paste with ~13 oz of Water and 1/2 Tbs of Lemon Juice
Veggies (Variable) - ex: 1 Onion, 6 Cloves of Garlic (mmm garlic!), 1 Zucchini, 1 Red Bell Pepper, 1 Carrot. Cheese (for those foodies obsessed with the flavor)
1 Tsp Cumin (preferably seeds), 1 Tsp Pepper, 1.5 Tsp Smoked Paprika
Optional Seasoning Substitution or Add-Ons: Basil, Za’atar, Oregano
Prep:
Dice veggies into cubes, julienne (cut into strips) the peppers for a change in texture and consistency
Season with cumin seeds (as they'll toast with the sauté), if you have the powder form you would add it with the other seasonings
Cooking: Objective - prep veggies, sauté, seasonings (mostly), add tomatoes, then poach eggs
To start a sauté - heat pan on medium high
Add oil and swirl, then add onion and garlic to pan (should sizzle when added), add about a teaspoon of cumin seeds
Stir the onion and garlic in the beginning, important not to let your ingredients burn as it will turn very bitter
Sauté onions and garlic to start for 2 minutes
Hack: If the vegetables have high water content - add more salt to draw out the water content
Add the other veggies and turn heat up to medium + add pinch of salt to dehydrate
Add all seasonings
Cook for another 2 and a half minutes
Then add the tomatoes, fill can with water and add the extra (no waste)
Back on medium high heat
Continue to stir, what you're looking for is to be able to expose some of the pan and not have the sauce immediately push fluid back into the space - this indicates that its thickened enough, keep the lid off so that the fluid can evaporate
Cook for another 5-6 minutes until sauce has thickened
Create 4 holes around the pan in the sauce using a ladle for the eggs
Crack the eggs using a flat surface
Place the lid and keep at medium low heat
Cook for 1-2 minutes, steam will conduct heat back onto the top of the eggs
To poach the egg - the whites are cooked but the yolk is runny
You can try to jiggle the pan and look through the lid (if its clear) at the eggs and see if the egg whites are still fluid and jiggling
Once only the yolk jiggles and the whites are cooked (solid), you can cut the heat
(Optional) add shredded cheese to cool and add flavor
Serve - keep in mind sauce continues to heat the eggs so eat right away if you want runny yolks!
Join us as we delve into the more personal, uncharted territory of relationships in the medical field, where we spotlight the unsung heroes - the partners. In this episode, we sit down with three inspiring couples, each sharing their unique journey of love, sacrifice, and resilience. From sleepless nights to celebrating small victories amidst overwhelming challenges, our guests candidly converse about the raw and unfiltered reality of balancing their relationships while continuing professional pursuits.
Music: https://pixabay.com/music/id-112777/
Episode Team:
Guests - Clarisa Marie Bloemhof (MS2), Patrick Li, Donna Marie Reyes Bayne (MS2), Justin Bayne MD (Alumni, CUSM)
Hosts - Paul Vincent Medina (MS2), Mishka Caruncho
Script Writer - Paul Vincent Medina (MS2)
Audio - Se Jong Choi (MS2), Anthony Mamaril (MS2)
Producers - Anna Nguyen (MS2), Yuu Ohno (MS2)
Director - Vy Han, MD
Match day is the long-awaited day in March that many medical students anticipate with mixed emotions. In this episode, we sat with Dr. Baoanh Vu, a recent graduate who went through a rollercoaster ride in getting to match day. Join us on a personal and candid conversation going into the process of applying, coming up with a rank list, participating in the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program, and matching into a preliminary year.
Music: https://pixabay.com/music/id-112777/
Episode Team:
Guest - Baoanh Vu (Alumni, CUSM)
Host - Ria Angelica Laxa (MS2)
Script Writers - Baoanh Vu (Alumni, CUSM), Yuu Ohno (MS2)
Audio - Lien Ha (MS2), Anthony Mamaril (MS2)
Producers - Yuu Ohno (MS2), Ria Angelica Laxa (MS2)
Director - Vy Han, MD
For those who are a little too bubbly for internal medicine but a little too dark for pediatrics, we welcome you to the specialty of Med-Peds. In this episode, we sit with Mariam Ghattas and Abel De Castro; two recently graduated medical students who have started their Med-Peds residency. We explore their journey and experiences throughout medical school and how it has led to their field of choice, as well as tips and resources for students interested in pursuing Med-Peds.
Music: https://pixabay.com/music/id-112777/
Episode Team:
Guest - Mariam Ghattas, MD (Alumni, CUSM), Abel De Castro, MD (Alumni, UOACOM-P)
Hosts - Sarah Kim (MS2), Veronica Rasmusen (MS2)
Script Writers - Sarah Kim (MS2), Veronica Rasmusen (MS2)
Audio - Theresa Dinh (MS2), Anthony Mamaril (MS2)
Producers - Sarah Kim (MS2), Hijab Gulwani (MS2)
Supervising Producer - Yuu Ohno (MS2)
Director - Vy Han, MD
Palliative Care, and its related fields of Supportive and Hospice Medicine, is a vitally important but misunderstood field of medicine. Dr. Sorin Buga, a Professor of Supportive Care Medicine and Palliative Care Physician at the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, clarify misconceptions about his specialty and discuss his experience as a physician who works with patients with terminal conditions.
Music: https://pixabay.com/music/id-112777/
Episode Team:
Guest - Dr. Sorin Buga
Hosts - Peter Bota (MS2), Anthony Mamaril (MS2)
Script Writers - Peter Bota (MS2), Anthony Mamaril (MS2)
Audio - Katrina Kao (MS2), Sagar Pyreddy (MS2)
Producers - Peter Bota (MS2), Yuu Ohno (MS2)
Director - Vy Han, MD
When we, as medical students, start rotations, it is essential to understand that we will encounter death, which some students may not have been exposed to beforehand. In this episode, three CUSM medical students who have faced death during their rotations discuss their perspectives on how death impacts them and the inherent close relationship between healthcare and death. They discuss the challenges of losing a patient, the grieving process, and some coping mechanisms they have developed.
Music: https://pixabay.com/music/id-112777/
Episode Team:
Guests - Dharshan Chandramohan (MS4), Nancy Luong (MS4), Taylor Baranski (MS4)
Host - Hira Khan (MS2)
Script Writers - Hira Khan (MS2)
Audio - Anthony Mamaril (MS2), Danny Abdalnour (MS2)
Producers - Hijab Gulwani (MS2), Yuu Ohno (MS2)
Director - Vy Han, MD
Over the past couple of years, there have been increasing discussions about mental health and barriers faced when seeking mental healthcare services. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Troy Kurz, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, to learn more about what mental healthcare looks like for minors and transitional youth, in addition to gaining insight on how we can support them as a physician and as another human being.
Music: https://pixabay.com/music/id-112777/
Episode Team:
Guest - Troy Kurz, MD
Hosts - Jason Dagoon (MS1), Amy Choi (MS1)
Script Writers - Theresa Dinh (MS1), Jason Dagoon (MS1), Amy Choi (MS1)
Audio - Lien Ha (MS1), Sagar Pyreddy (MS1)
Producers - Sarah Kim (MS1), Yuu Ohno (MS1)
Director - Vy Han, MD
As physicians in training, we are taught to put aside our personal feelings and beliefs to provide the highest quality of care for our patients. While this is an incredibly important tenet of practicing care, how do we approach situations in which we must make choices in morally gray zones, such as opioid prescription or disability insurance? How do we communicate with patients who are unhappy with our decisions, and how does that impact the patient-physician relationship? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Shawn Koh to uncover some challenges that may arise in long-term patient-physician relationships and how to maneuver through those difficulties professionally and humanely.
Music: https://pixabay.com/music/id-112777/
Episode Team:
Guest - Shawn Koh, MD
Host - Rachel Han (MS1)
Script Writers - Rachel Han (MS1); Shawn Koh, MD
Audio - Anthony Mamaril (MS1)
Producers - Ria Angelica Laxa (MS1), Yuu Ohno (MS1)
Director - Vy Han, MD
Teenage parents are a unique population with special challenges, including battling stigma and finishing one’s education. They and their children are at an increased risk for medical, psychological, developmental, and social problems. However, with the proper support, teenage parents can overcome these challenges and help them and their children thrive. In this episode, we sit down with two healthcare professionals who have been teenage mothers and a CUSM student born to teenage parents to candidly discuss personal experiences, barriers to care, stigma, and more regarding adolescent parenthood.
Music: https://pixabay.com/music/id-112777/
Episode Team:
Guests - Fauzia Nausheen, MD; Glenda Bloemhof, MSN, RN, PHN
Host - Clarisa Marie Bloemhof (MS1)
Script Writers - Clarisa Marie Bloemhof (MS1); Fauzia Nausheen, MD; Glenda Bloemhof, MSN, RN, PHN
Audio - Anthony Mamaril (MS1), Sagar Pyreddy (MS1)
Producers - Ria Angelica Laxa (MS1), Yuu Ohno (MS1)
Director - Vy Han, MD
With the class of 2023 getting ready to pursue their next step in their medical journey, we sat down with two graduating fourth years who matched in neurology. This episode discusses how they were drawn to neurology, things they considered when choosing their specialty, resources they utilized, and overall tips for both students interested in pursuing neurology as well as for those in the process of discovering their specialty.
Music: https://pixabay.com/music/id-112777/
Episode Team:
Guests - Ai Ohno (MS4), Elita Delbruck (MS4)
Host - Yuu Ohno (MS1)
Script Writers - Ai Ohno (MS4), Elita Delbruck (MS4), Yuu Ohno (MS1)
Audio - Anthony Mamaril (MS1)
Producers - Yuu Ohno (MS1), Ria Angelica Laxa (MS1)
Director - Vy Han, MD
This episode highlights Dr. Mohagheghian Hossein, "Dr. Mo", who is a practicing emergency medicine physician in Missouri. Dr. Mo speaks about his path to medicine, what it is like being an emergency medicine physician with tattoos, balancing medicine with other passions in life, burnout, physician mental health, and more. This episode is hosted by Tyler Mouw, MS2.
References:
Mortensen, Karoline, et al. “Are Tattoos Associated with Negative Health‐Related Outcomes and Risky Behaviors?” International Journal of Dermatology, vol. 58, no. 7, 2019, pp. 816–824., https://doi.org/10.1111/ijd.14372.
Welcome to our new series: Med Student Corner Chats! This series includes round tables of medical students discussing various medical school-related topics to help provide insight to pre-meds and current students. Join CUSM students, Jade Bowman (MS3) and Dhruvi Panchal (MS4) as they discuss friendship dynamics that medical students experience and how these dynamics may change as students journey throughout medical school with a focus on the transition from pre-clerkship to clinical years. This episode is hosted by Kelly Chang (MS2).
Welcome to Vi Corporation, a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit founded by CUSM medical school students Milan Hirpara (MS2), Skye Lander (MS2), and Drew Richards (MS2). Vi Corporation is dedicated to helping the Inland Empire community that brought us together. We support existing community service organizations that fill the vital needs in our community and create projects ourselves to address the difficulties that have not yet been approached. This is the story of how we came together, learned how to help others, and created a public charity whilst in the “academic trenches” of medical school. In this podcast, we unveil our methods, our greatest successes and failures, and what we do as Vi Corporation.
You can find us at www.vicorporation.org or follow us on Instagram @vi.corporation
Physicians will encounter challenging medical dilemmas and ethical questions almost every day in their careers. Join Kelly Chang (MS2) and Andreana Chen (MS2) for this episode as they use the four pillars of medical ethics to navigate through various classic clinical scenarios. They are joined by Dr. Shawn Koh, MD and Assistant Professor at CUSM, who will guide us through each case.
What is harm reduction? The goal of harm reduction is reducing the negative pressures of a decision, such as the stigma of drug use, and support the positive pressure to make a choice, the goal of being healthy. This episode focuses on one of the few harm reduction clinics within the San Bernardino Area, Inland Empire Harm Reduction (IEHR). Join our host, Kyle Chang (MS1) for a round table discussion with the organization founders, CUSM’s very own, Cynthia Janku (MS2) and Lauren De Sa (MS2).
How does our prison system take care of its many prisoners? What kind of environments do doctors who work with prisoners experience? What is it like to work in a prison? This and more with our beloved Dr. Hantz, MD, and our hosts Drew Richards, MS1 and Megan Smith, MS1.
As a provider, how do you want to address mental health with your patients? As an educator, how can you start a conversation about mental health? As an entertainer, how can you integrate mental health into the media that you produce? Current MS3 Deven Patel gives us insight into what it's like to to partake in all these roles. With over millions of likes on TikTok, Deven uses his social media platform and his knowledge of medicine to advocate for mental health. MS2s Sabrina Nguyen and Kyle Rei dive into this fruitful discussion of how media can start many important conversations.
How do you practice Integrative Medicine as a trauma surgeon? Join us for this episode with Dr. Ehmad Mishriki, MD, as we reminisce on his time as a war trauma surgeon in Angola. Speaking several languages wasn't enough for Dr. Mishriki as he also picked up a little Chokwe during his time there in order to better care for his patients. He gives us insight on how important it is to respect your patient's culture and show them that you care about their beliefs in order to gain their trust. M1s Sabrina Nguyen and Kyle Rei guide us through this captivating conversation of the intertwining of cultures through medicine.
If you ever wanted to know what it is like to be an emergency medicine physician, come listen to our very own Director of the Podcast, Assistant Professor of Medical Education here at CUSM, and an ABEM Certified EM physician, Dr. Vy Han. Sit back and enjoy one of the most popular professors here at the medical school. This episode is hosted by the wonderful Jon Oules, MS3.
In honor of Spooky Season, the students of CUSM took over the recording studio to discuss possible medical origin stories of vampires, throw out complete conjecture about our favorite fairy tales and tell some spine-chilling stories.
Resources:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21952063/
From medical school applications to rotations, medical students face hurdles every day. In this round table discussion, medical students Tiffani (Bijoux) Le (MS1), Kyle Rei (MS1), Noah Anderson (MS2), and Dean Madory (MS1) discuss the challenges, expectations, and strengths that come with being medical students with chronic disease or impairment.
Have you ever wondered what is it like to be a neurosurgeon? Our special guest, Dr. Ajay Ramnot, MD, a fourth year neurosurgery resident at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, will be sharing his story and wisdom about life as a neurosurgeon and gives the audience guidance on how to enter into this specialty. This episode is hosted by CUSM medical students, Arisa Ueno MS1, and Vedhika Reddy MS1.
Sometimes life throws you a curveball and sometimes that curve ball can be a cancer diagnosis. Our very own Audio Lead, Doug Ferrell (MS1), and his parents invite us to hear their experience dealing with a cancer diagnosis and how this curveball set Doug on a career in medicine. This episode is hosted by Cheyenne Canizares (MS1) and Najla Shilleh (MS1).
This episode stars California University of Science and Medicine's USMLE coach, anatomy professor, and human discovery pioneer - Dr. Frank Scali, MD, DC. Today's episode will be discussing the Posterior Atlantooccipital Membrane, an important recent discovery in the field of anatomy made by Dr. Scali himself. Follow along to the podcast using the images and papers linked below:
https://www.cureus.com/articles/97449-the-posterior-atlantooccipital-membrane-the-anchor-for-the-myodural-bridge-and-meningovertebral-structures
https://www.thespinejournalonline.com/article/S1529-9430(15)01146-8/fulltext
References:
Scali F, Ohno A, Enix D, et al. (May 30, 2022) The Posterior Atlantooccipital Membrane: The Anchor for the Myodural Bridge and Meningovertebral Structures. Cureus 14(5): e25484. doi:10.7759/cureus.25484
Scali, Frank, et al. “Investigation of Meningomyovertebral Structures within the Upper Cervical Epidural Space: A Sheet Plastination Study with Clinical Implications.” The Spine Journal, vol. 15, no. 11, 2015, pp. 2417–2424., https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spinee.2015.07.438.
Reproductive coercion and intimate partner violence can be difficult topics that healthcare providers don't always know how to address. In this episode, Dr. Karen Grace, PhD, MSN, CNM, FACNM draws on her extensive research and midwifery expertise to provide a primer on how these issues affect patients and how to approach them in the clinical setting.
Tactical Medicine, what’s that? Join us on this episode where we speak with Dr. Michael Neeki, DO, who is an Emergency Medicine Physician and Director of Clinical Research and Tactical Medicine at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. Follow along as we fly with Dr. Neeki on an air ambulance, charging into dangerous situations, and rendering aid in the field to those in need. Along the way, we’ll receive some valuable education in medicine and maybe even some life lessons as well.
Dr. Renee Rodriguez-Paro is truly a jack of all trades. Being a successful pediatric cardiologist, mother of two, and physician wellness advocate is only the tip of the iceberg. Listen along as she walks us through her day-to-day life, juggling preventative and procedural cardiology, recording podcast episodes as a husband-wife duo, and running Doctor Vegetable, a non-profit encouraging children to make healthy food choices. You can find more from Dr. Renee Paro on the Reconciling Medicine with the Doctors Paro podcast or at https://www.doctorvegetable.org/
Thousands of organ transplants are performed each year, but have you ever wondered what donating an organ really entails? In this episode, we sit down with our 2nd Year Medical Student here at CUSM, Claire Westermeyer, as she raises awareness about the statistics, processes, and myths of Organ Donation Transplant.
To learn more about Organ Donation, visit the HRSA Organ Donor Website: https://www.organdonor.gov/learn/organ-donation-statistics
Brave stories is a collection of first-hand accounts of ordinary people overcoming extraordinary circumstances. Whether you live with mental illness, have struggled with life’s adversities, or are curious about different people’s journeys, story by story, we experience what it means to be brave. In this episode, we will listen to one person explore their relationship with bipolar disorder.
Content Warning: Bipolar Disorder, Self Harm, Suicidal Ideation
You can learn more about Bipolar Disorder at the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) or National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
https://www.dbsalliance.org
https://nami.org/Home
Are you curious what it's like to go through the NRMP Couples Matching process? Come join our Class of 2022 as they talk about their experiences during that stressful time. This episode is hosted by Dr. Corey Young, Dr. Olivia Yang, Dr. Jacob Holley, and Dr. Krish Bharat.
If you would like more information about couples matching, check out this link: https://www.nrmp.org/residency-applicants/get-ready-for-the-match/couples-in-the-match/
Our inaugural class is graduating in a week and our fourth year director, Dr. Han, sits down with Tyler Rigdon, MD, Cynthis Wong, MD, John Brazil, MD, and Stephanie Wong, MD to ask them what motivated them to come to a brand new medical school, their challenges throughout, and how they came out successful on the other end. Come join us for our last conversation before our graduating class moves on to their next journey.
A few of our first year medical students sit down to share their unfiltered first impressions of starting medical school, plunge headlong into what a typical day looks like, saunter through how to adapt to the rigors of medical school, introspectively somersault over the importance of maintaining mental health, and backstroke all the way to 2020 to offer high yield hindsight that will help any pre-med on their path to becoming a physician.
Emergency and Sports Medicine Physician, and combat sport aficionado Dr. Sergio Alvarez, explains wrestlers' drastic weight cutting procedures and their physiologic effects on the body. Rhabdomyolysis, hyperthermia, and in some cases, death, is it worth it just to drop a weight class? Hosted by our M2s: Youssef Aref and Cameron Casillas
OB/GYN rotations can be awkward for everyone involved, but Dr. Robert Stowe, the only male OB/GYN Resident at ARMC, is here to help. Find out why OB/GYN physicians are essentially bread bakers, the correct way to pronounce OB/GYN, and what to do if the patient doesn’t want you in the exam room so that you can make a lasting impression during your OB/GYN rotation. This episode is hosted by Jon Oules.
They say you can’t have it all, but the parents and soon-to-be parents of CUSM know otherwise. From diaper changes and daycare to final exams and the anatomy lab, the parents of CUSM discuss how they balance parenthood with the demands of being a medical student.
CUSM’s favorite funny female pathologist, Dr. Helena Spartz, MD, PhD, FCAP, is here to shed light on those taboo topics no one likes to talk about: death, dying and DNRs. Along the way, we find out why eloping in Vegas is the superior form of taking your vows, and finally get an answer to why pathologists name everything after food. This episode is hosted by our wonderful medical student, Henry-Tranton, Jr.
After watching ER’s hand vs. chainsaw episode as a child, Dr. Ashley Stading knew she wanted to spend her life in the OR. ARMC’s Surgical Intern of the year chats about her current favorite surgical specialty, which sutures you should practice before you step foot in the OR, and how to survive when attendings grill you with questions so that you are ready to rock your surgical rotation.
CUSM’s own office of finance invited resident physicians Dr. Chon and Dr. Tran to discuss DO vs MD Residency matching, how life changes during Residency, and tips for financial planning while you’re still in med school.
It is the most widely used drug on the planet and highly addictive, yet legal everywhere. Dr. Jacobs sits down with us to talk about caffeine overdoses, his preferred method of ingestion, and what is actually happening in your body when you drink that morning cup of joe.
Brave stories is a collection of first-hand accounts of ordinary people overcoming extraordinary circumstances. Whether you live with mental illness, have struggled with life’s adversities, or are curious about different people’s journeys, story by story, we experience what it means to be brave.
Come and join Dr. Daniyan as she reminisces about her internal medicine residency! She speaks about her upbringing in Nigeria, her medical school experiences, her love for Korean drama shows, and the challenges and successes that she went through during her internal medicine residency at Kaiser LA and community medicine fellowship at Kaiser Fontana. This episode is hosted by the fun and talkative Dr. Han.
In the winter of 2020, Shelby Houlihan, a middle distance Olympic runner, received a 4-year ban due to a doping accusation. She claimed that an unusual dinner was the culprit. Dr. Connelly breaks down the feasibility of Shelby’s boar burrito defense using pharmacology. This episode is hosted by our wonderful medical student who also happens to be a competitive runner, Angela Chen, MS2.
As the COVID-19 Pandemic has pushed more and more people to adopt virtual alternatives to previously in-person events, the sales of blue-light blocking glasses have boomed. These “magical” lenses claim to stop eye strain and computer use-related headaches in their tracks. Dr. Mark DeSantis, MD, an ophthalmologist with 40 years of experience and CUSM guest faculty, is here to explain the physics behind blue light, best eye practices for computer users, and if it's really worth it to splurge for blue-light blocking lenses. This episode is hosted by our wonderful medical student, Michael Lonsway, MS2.
The practice of medicine is undeniably rigorous, requiring long hours, sacrifice, and daily encounters with death and dying. It is no surprise that medical students and physicians experience depression at much higher rates than the rest of the population. Arrowhead Regional Medical Center's Dr. Siegler, MD is here to have an open conversation about his perspective on depression amongst medical students, when and why students are most at risk, and to offer advice on how those suffering can best navigate their journeys to promote mental wellness. This episode is hosted by our very own MS4, Alex Robertson.
Resources:
One of our very own COVID-19 heroes, Inland Empire native and now podcast veteran Dr. Arabian, talks about the myriad of reasons he loves Arrowhead Regional Medical Center and why he has found a passion in Pulmonary Critical Care Medicine. We find out about the highs, lows, and everything in between about working in the medical ICU (MICU). This episode is hosted by one of our very awesome medical students, Jon Oules, MS1.
Writing - it is a skill necessary for novelists, editors, and journalists...but physicians? The big man on campus, Dean Lyons, is here to tell us just how critical the written word is for medical practitioners, especially when our world seems to be getting more virtual by the day. This episode is hosted by one of our very bright and talented medical students, Henry-Tranton, Jr., MS1.
Get to know the residents on a more fun and personal level: Dr. Chin, Dr. Yee, and, Dr. Pham as they discuss everything from their favorite ice cream flavor to which chief complaint they don’t want to get in the middle of the night!
If you are considering doing an EM sub-internship that normally takes place during your 4th year of medical school, have an interest in Emergency Medicine, or just want to hear more stories from the residents and our very own Dr. Han; Part two is for you! Listen along as they discuss the changes in expectations for 4th year students.
Emergency Departments, in general, are chaotic, ARMC’s ED...well...it’s on another level. As one of the busiest EDs in Southern California, it’s easy for med students to get lost in the shuffle, but don’t worry we have your back! We invited ARMC’s best and brightest Emergency Medicine Resident Physicians, Dr. Chin, MD, Dr. Yee, MD, and Dr. Pham, DO, to ensure you know where to go on the first day, explain what they look for in a stellar medical student, and help you get the most out of your EM clerkship. This episode is really helpful for students who are about to rotate at this awesome and busy Emergency Department. This episode is hosted by our very own ABEM board certified Emergency Medicine physician, Dr. Vy Han, MD.
This episode is for you medical students who are about to hit your clinical rotations in the hospital! As we all know by now, the hospital floors can be an intimidating place to be, but Dr. Debbie Craig, MD, who is a board certified Internal Medicine physician at Arrowhead Regional Medical, is here to walk you through the ins and outs of rotating on an internal medicine floor. She'll give you advice on when and where to ask questions, what skills you should know BEFORE you get there, and most importantly - how to shine during your clerkship! This episode is hosted by Dr. Maegen Dupper, MD and Dr. Vy Han, MD.
Most med students are trained in biology, chemistry and physics but what about drawing, sculpting or music? It is called the art of medicine after all...
Dr. Scali rejects the notion that the humanities and sciences are at odds with one another and instead shows us how art and medicine go hand in hand. This episode is hosted by our very own Henry-Tranton, Jr, MS1.
Family medicine holds a special place in Dr. Dupper's heart. This accidental class president and mother of two shares her struggles, successes, and the importance of becoming a Family Medicine physician. Episode hosted by Jon Oules, MS1, and Dr. Vy Han, MD.