The Tar Heel Prescription: Recent Episodes
Peter, Abdul, Annu
Patients turn to physicians when they need counsel and treatment to manage their health. Similarly, all aspiring physicians need some support + advice to become the competent, compassionate healthcare professionals our community needs. In this podcast, we will explore three categories of "prescriptions": Foundation Phase, Specialty, and Navigating Medicine.
The Foundation Phase series encompasses insider takes on the various classes and components of the UNC SOM curriculum through interviews with block directors and other incredible faculty.
The Specialty series engages health professionals from an array of specialties and fellowships to share what a day in the life of "xx" looks like and what students interested in becoming "xx" should do during medical school to have the best chance of pursuing that career.
The Navigating Medicine series engages medical students from all years to share insights about the respective elements of first-, second-, third-, and fourth-year (e.g. starting med school, STEP 1/2, residency applications) and have candid conversations about topics outside of med school (e.g. mental health/wellness in the journey to medicine, ethics in medicine, current events).
Welcome to The Tar Heel Prescription, your personal pharmacy for the Rx you’ll need to conquer medical school and thrive in your journey to the M.D and beyond :)
Annu, Abdul, and Peter
Feedback: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ymjMpceAs8QR0aHWsFY1cnoAxX6txNHPuuEXss8-fYY/edit
What’s it really like to be an interventional radiologist? 🩺✨ We sit down with Dr. Nicole Keefe to dive into the ins and outs of this specialty—what a typical day looks like, how to prepare, and expert tips on excelling in rotations, residency applications, and beyond. If you’re considering this field or just curious about what goes on behind the scenes, this episode is for you! 🎧 Take a listen now!! #MedStudentLife #ResidencyPrep #SpecialtySeries
Pursuing a career in healthcare can be daunting, especially when you have no idea what to expect or where to start. Initiatives like the MED Program at UNC offer aspiring health professionals (especially those from underserved communities and of underrepresented backgrounds) an experience that can help set them up for success in the future. Tune in to learn about this program and its incredible impact from MED Program Director, Lisa Long!
The path to medicine is challenging and can be filled with experiences and environments that fuel unhealthy patterns of thought and behavior. How do you break the cycle and build a healthy sense of “self”? Join us as we hear about one such experience from pediatrician Dr. Kathleen Wang.
TEC 2.0 has officially logged its first year in UNC School of Medicine’s books - come hear from two wonderful MS2s who navigated the novelties of this academic curriculum during their first year of medical school and learn how you can thrive during Foundation Phase!
Patients are the rewarding constant in every physician’s life. In having the privilege to provide care for them, their stories and lives entwine with ours. How remarkable would it be to be impacted by multiple patients – in fact, patients from the same family? Join us as we hear about one such family that has stuck with Dr. Kelly Smith throughout her career as a Family Medicine physician.
When it comes to the ER, the word on the street is: you either hate it or you love it. Join us as we talk to someone who not only loves it but also thrives in it and has had an amazing career caring for countless patients over the years. This episode will give you the tools and excitement needed to take on this fast-paced career where “who-knows-what-today-will-bring” is the name of the game!
Innovation and improvement are vital to achieving the best quality of any product, and the foundation phase of UNC School of Medicine’s academic curriculum is no exception to these practices. Come learn about the new curriculum that is being launched with the class of 2027 and how students can succeed in TEC 2.0!
Love can be complicated as is, but what happens when you combine love + a career in medicine? … Ask one of our Tar Heel power couples, Dr. Brian Jensen & Dr. Lisa Rahangdale. Join us as we walk in this couple’s heels and learn more about their individual journeys with love + medicine and how to overcome challenges that may arise when nurturing relationships during the marathon of medicine. Dr. Jensen is a cardiologist with a specific focus on heart failure and Dr. Rahangdale is a professor of General Obstetrics & Gynecology and the Associate Dean for Admissions at UNC SOM.
If you go into medicine, you’re bound to bump into Sir Imposterism at least once or twice along the way. Imagine how those interactions may feel if you’re a first-gen college student or first-gen physician. Join us in our brand new series as we walk in the heels of Dr. Tiffany Long, an assistant professor of medicine at UNC with a great passion for medical student education and geriatric medicine.
According to Dr. Alice Chuang, there’s never a dull moment in the life of an Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB-GYN) specialist. This field offers a mix of both surgery + clinic care and encompasses one of the most formative experiences in medicine: labor + delivery. Learn more about this incredible field, its existing challenges, and how current/future OB-GYNs can go about managing these challenges to have a fulfilling career in this specialty.
No matter what specialty you pursue, the kidneys always seem to find their way into every discussion around health. In this episode, we get a special glimpse of the kind of patient-physician connection that can exist in the wonderful field of nephrology and also learn about budding technology and innovation that will revolutionize the future of this specialty!
The final block of MS1 is a blast with Dr. Kernick and the other amazing faculty who teach students about the MSK System. Steady your nerves and maintain your reflexes as you get ready for a marathon of muscles and bones to wrap up your time in the Anatomy Lab. Come learn how you should flex + extend your way to the finish line!
The thought of completing a (pseudo)-block of medical school in one week might make your skin crawl, but this is a week full of nomenclature and characterizing that will leave you more equipped to give yourself a free consult in the time that you spend waiting for an appointment with your dermatologist. Come learn how to maximize success in this quick first week of the final block of MS1!
Join us for an exciting episode as we delve into the world of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) with one of the amazing faculty, Dr. Lee Shuping.
Often overlooked as a medical specialty, PM&R is becoming increasingly competitive. In this episode, we discuss the diverse career opportunities available to PM&R physicians, as well as the lifestyle and challenges that come with it. We also explore common misconceptions about the difference between PM&R and Physical Therapy and provide a general breakdown of the field. Additionally, we offer tips for medical students interested in pursuing this rewarding specialty. So tune in and discover why PM&R is truly one of the coolest and underrated specialties in medicine!
Follow us on Instagram @the\_tarheel\_prescription to keep up with speaker highlights and new episodes :)
At this point in medical school, you’re probably a pro at digesting enormous loads of information in a short period of time. The gut, on the other hand, is the supreme veteran. Every day – even multiple times throughout the day – it utilizes an orchestra of enzymes and pathways to process our inputs, produce energy, and excrete waste. Come learn how you should churn through learning about this elaborate system during the GI Block!
In medical school, it’s hard to filter out what’s high-yield – how on Earth do our kidneys do it day in and day out? This block is concentrated with enthusiasm and intricate physiology that will make you as passionate about the kidneys as the wonderful block directors. Come learn how you can strike equilibrium both in the nephron and in life during this block!
The clinical year is a high-impact component of the M.D. curriculum where medical students truly learn the medicine they’ve been taught in the classroom and discover what specialty they want to pursue. At UNC, this clinical year (3rd year) is known as Application Phase and is completed at one of six campuses across NC. Come learn what the Asheville campus has to offer and why this might be the fit for you! We had way too much fun talking about Asheville with two former roommates/amazing upperclassmen. Trust us – this episode is a treat to listen to … :)
The cover photo is a little snapshot of what could be waiting for you in Asheville :)
-Photo was taken by Peter
Cultivating wellness in the field of medicine feels impossible at times, but that’s what makes it even more essential. Having conversations about wellness helps reduce mental health stigma and reminds us to pause and reflect on our own success with self-care and wholeness. From life experiences to recovering perfectionists to resilience, this discussion features a unique combination of medical student (Anameeka [Annu] Singh) + faculty (Dr. Amy Weil) perspectives on wellness and is bound to give you some things to think about and do going forward.
Anatomy Lab is an integral component of medical education and can come with a wide array of emotions: excitement, fear, and ambivalence. Taught by Dr. Kernick and other wonderful faculty, Anatomy Lab is a humbling opportunity for students to examine the human body and is only possible because of the generous donors who choose to support our learning at UNC. Join us for a thoughtful discussion with Dr. Kernick to process any emotions you may have about this experience, understand logistics and expectations, and prepare for success from Cardio to MSK!
As the last of the 12 blocks, Reproductive Medicine brings the cycle of the Foundation Phase to an end before MS2s transition to the Multi-Organ Synthesis Block. GnRH, LH, and FSH, and all the other hormones, phases, and cycles of this system may make the head spin at first (or for the “nth” time), but reproductive medicine encompasses the genesis of life and so much of what factors into our individual identities – which means this is an essential system to master for our future patients.
Care and compassion lie at the heart of medicine. In everyday conversation, the “heart” symbolizes something integral and, in the human body, it is certainly nothing short of that. This vital organ and its complex physiology can be a bit daunting to learn about at first, but this episode and the amazing block directors that speak with us in it will prepare you for success in this marathon block and beyond. Get ready for an electric ~6 weeks of EKGs, arrhythmias, and so much more!
Do you want a career grounded in less memorization and more logical sense? That’s just one of the many things that the physiology of the endocrine system and, by extension, a career in Endocrinology has to offer. Dr. Morgan Jones returns to give us more insight into this fantastic specialty and the scope for various engagement in the field: clinical, academic, research, etc.
The endocrine system is like a cascade of falling dominoes, one thing leading to another – kind of like the road to medicine. :) This system can’t be pinned down to a single organ – it’s a system that truly communicates with multiple organ systems and does it in an incredibly organized fashion. Come learn about this abstract system and how you can make the most of your experience in this block with Dr. Emily Moorefield + Dr. Morgan Jones!
The importance of the Public Health field has been especially apparent in the past two years. Medicine + Public Health go hand-in-hand when we think and talk about health care, but what exactly does an MPH entail and how should you decide whether to pursue one (especially if you’re in medical school and considering a dual degree)? All your questions and more can be answered right here with two brilliant MS4 students, Faris Almubaslat + Joline Hartheimer.
Blood, sweat, and tears – they’re often the pillars of hard work in life. The HEM Block, like its subject (blood), can come with a hefty amount of cortisol from time to time. Come hear from the amazing MS4 TA for this block, Aaron Fox, about how you can persevere through the challenges of this block (e.g. anemias) and what you can look forward to throughout! Stay tuned until the end to hear some 12/10 life advice! :)
It’s not a boat or a plane or a train … It's the brain! In a field of rapid scientific discovery and unraveling of enigmas, how could a person not be curious about the endless possibilities? Come hear about the various hats you can wear in medicine (researcher, physician, administrator, etc.) and why being a neurologist makes that “physician” hat so sweet!
No one likes contracting nasty illnesses, but respect for tiny microbes’ mighty impact on human society? Now, that is worth culturing. Join us for an “infectious” talk with Dr. Claire Farel about this amazing field, its current and future implications with COVID-19 and beyond, and the unique intersection of public health and social justice!
“This is the most important class you will take as a medical student.” Have you heard it enough times? Nope – come join us for a deeper dive into the Patient-Centered Care (PCC) course and learn how you can make the most out of your weekly “doctoring” classes to prepare for your future Clinical Skills Encounters (CSEs) and real-life clinical experiences!
Humans are incredibly complex, and the systems they occupy and must navigate are sadly no less complex. The Social & Health Systems (SHS) course at UNC is a unique dive into all the factors that health professionals should consider when understanding the intricate picture of an individual’s health, engaging with patients, and providing quality care. Join us for a fascinating discussion about this fantastic course with the one and only Dr. Raúl Necochea López!
T-cells, B-cells, A-cells (kidding - those don’t exist) … it’s time for MS1’s to tackle their first organ block of med school: the immune system. From cytokines and cell populations to wholesomeness and sweet antioxidants to keep stress levels down, this block has it all (including the incredible Dr. Tom Belhorn) and is one for the Memory B-cells! :)
Mental health and illness are just as important as physical health and illness. Psychiatry is one of those fields that is often subject to stereotypes and mixed feelings – bring an open mind to this wonderful discussion with Dr. Kenan Penaskovic about working in psychiatry and nurturing our own mental health!
There’s nothing quite like a gathering of Neuro Nerds … Come hear from Dr. Kristin Scherrer & Dr. Ana Felix about what students should expect from this marathon block and why they should have an excitatory response to learning about the human brain/nervous system!
Bugs can be scary … but they don’t have to be. Listen to what Dr. Donato has to say about how you can build a more symbiotic relationship with these little guys in Micro Lab, on exams, and beyond!
Join us for a 150x view of Histology and its relevance in the Foundation Phase and beyond with Dr. Kurt Gilliland!
HBHD is a mouthful - take a quick dive into what this 2-week whirlwind of a block has to offer and how it can help shape our future interactions with all patients!
POM: Principles of Medicine kicks off the beginning of MS1 for Tar Heels. Hear what the block directors have to say about succeeding in this block and adjusting to the first year of med school!
Ep. 0: Meet the co-hosts and learn more about what The Tar Heel Prescription has to offer!