Dr. Max Madhere discusses cardiac anesthesiology, Pulse of Perseverance, and the many hurdles he overcame in his journey to medicine.

 

• [00:36] What Inspired Max to Become a Doctor
• [03:00] Max’s Medical School Experience
• [04:41] How to Prepare for Tests
• [08:42] Accessibility of Resources Through Technology
• [10:35] Why Anesthesiology?
• [13:34] Fellowship in Cardiac Anesthesiology
• [15:10] Advice for Anesthesia Rotations
• [19:03] Pulse of Perseverance
• [22:04] Importance of Mentorship and Giving Back
• [26:23] Structural Systemic Racism
• [28:11] The Community’s Role in the Youth’s Future
• [29:38] Flawed Education System
• [37:14] Dr. Madhere’s Advice to Pre-Meds and Medical Students

 

Erkeda DeRouen interviews Dr. Max Madhere, a practicing cardiac anesthesiologist in Louisiana. He is also one of the founders of Pulse of Perseverance, an organization dedicated to helping kids from disadvantaged backgrounds succeed. In this episode, Dr. Madhere shares his journey to becoming a physician despite the many hurdles he faced.

Dr. Madhere’s Journey to Becoming a Doctor

Initially having no interest in medicine, Dr. Madhere volunteered at his local hospital because he needed money to graduate high school. During his time as a volunteer, he saw black doctors in positions of leadership. This inspired him to become a doctor himself. The first two times he took the MCAT, he was not satisfied with his scores. Setbacks did not stop him from trying a third time, which finally produced results that got him accepted into Xavier University of Louisiana.  

Preparation for Tests

Tests do not measure intelligence, but rather preparation. Those who are privileged with access to good education and a supportive environment certainly have an advantage. However, success is not solely defined by these factors. It may take a person with fewer resources longer, but with enough preparation, he/she can succeed as well.

Assess the areas you need to improve on and work hard at them. Take advantage of today’s technology to access information and ask for help. Learning opportunities are endless, try different sources until you find what works for you. 

Why Anesthesia?

Dr. Madhere was originally interested in pursuing neuroscience and surgery. But as he gained more experience during rotations, he realized that these specializations did not suit him.

During one of his surgery rotations, his curiosity was piqued by the anesthesiologist in the operating room. Dr. David took Dr. Madhere under his wing and taught him more about the field. The constant application of anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology in anesthesiology fascinated him. Dr. Madhere found it impressive that anesthesiologists have such a wide skillset, as shown in their ability to administer anesthesia in countless ways.

Fellowship in Cardiac Anesthesiology

While the surgeon operates, it’s Dr. Madhere’s job to keep the patient alive through the management of several drugs and drips. All aspects of medicine are applied in the operating room. Being in this field keeps him on his toes because of the complex issues that may arise in severe cases. Improving the outcome of extremely sick patients is fulfilling for Dr. Madhere as a cardiac anesthesiologist.

Giving Back to the Community 

The current schooling system is flawed, favoring the haves over the have-nots of society. This reality is further reflected in the low percentage of practicing black doctors. To help address this situation, Dr. Madhere and two of his friends formed the Pulse of Perseverance as way to give back to the community. Their goal is to empower and inspire young black youth by providing them with resources for success. Scholarships are available for deserving students who are driven to succeed. They have also developed a mentoring platform app to give underprivileged kids a chance to connect with professionals. Odds for success increase drastically when disadvantaged youth have mentors who will nurture them. 

Dr. Madhere’s Advice to Pre-Meds and Medical Students

Students should continuously look for ways to acquire information efficiently. Expose yourself to the medical field you want to be in by gaining shadowing experiences and learning terminologies. It’s not enough to show up on time during rotations; be early. Let your personality and enthusiasm set you apart. Resident and attending doctors take notice when you go the extra mile to help.

When things get tough, just keep going. Dr. Madhere urges students to continue chasing their dream of becoming doctors for themselves, their future patients, and the community. Remember that you play a significant role in making the world a better place.

The Pulse of Perseverance recognizes the challenges and costs that come with pursuing a good education. They’ve already helped a number of kids through high school and college. Learn more about their scholarship program and what they offer through their website. To get updates on their initiatives, follow the Pulse of Perseverance on Instagram.