D.O. or Do Not: The Osteopathic Physician's Journey for Premed & Medical Students

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Michael Ayoub was an Osteopathic Medical students with great expectations. . . and then  some difficulty passing a test called the COMLEX created a speed bump.  He didn't Match, he didn't SOAP. . . so what could he do?   

Michael kept his chin up and took a job as a medical assistant with a pain management physician and tried again . . . and again.

Dr. Ayoub never lost hope . . . never blamed anyone for his struggles . . . and continued to try.   In this "episode 4: A New Hope! "  Michael shares with us how he got through dark times in his medical journey and ultimately came out a Jedi!

What a tale!

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Today, we’re joined by Dr. Richard Terry, D.O., a family medicine physician and founding dean of Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) Elmira campus, who also holds the title of  Assistant Dean of Regional Clinical Education. Dr. Terry shares how LECOM started the branch campus system and highlights the New York- Elmira campus’s problem-based learning curriculum, which fosters collaboration and prepares students for medical practice. 

Dr. Terry shares insights about the Elmira community and the early hands-on clinical rotations at local hospitals, starting as early as the first year of medical school. He highlights the robust research opportunities available to students, as well as LECOM’s mission to recruit New York State residents with a passion for serving underserved communities. We also discuss the accelerated six-year D.O. program in collaboration with the Elmira College and explore LECOM Elmira’s 100% match rate for 2024, with 52% of graduates matching into New York hospitals. 

Join us as we learn how LECOM Elmira is working to shape the future of osteopathic medicine and preparing students to make a meaningful impact.

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Today’s episode is a crossover episode of an interview with Chris fullmer, a plastic surgery resident at Penn State.   To start, our listeners should know that for plastic surgery there are two paths, the traditional which includes application to general surgery followed by a second match into a plastic surgery fellowship and a newer path applying directly to integrated plastic surgery.

Integrated plastics is one of the most competitive matches after medical school with a match rate 20 percentage points lower than the average every year.  Applicants are required to have extraordinary Step Scores, high numbers of research papers and significant volunteer hours in addition to stellar audition rotations.  Chris will discuss his journey starting as a soccer player in college and going on a Mormon Mission before deciding on medical school.  He will discuss his decision to attend osteopathic medical school and how his DO student friend’s father, a renowned plastic surgeon helped to define his path.  He will speak about the trials and tribulations including addiction and balancing his relationship with his wife throughout his quest with achieving his dream.   Ultimately he inadvertently speak about the “secred DO handshake” and how finding a DO attending at Penn State may have ultimately helped him seal his fate.

We would like to thank Curtis Wilkerson Curtis Wilkerson, a rising first year osteopathic student at Michigan state, for the interview.  An unedited version can be found 

on the podcast the physician's mind.

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Today, we have a special guest, Dr. Nicholas Elwert, DO, MS, who wears many hats in the field of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R). Dr. Elwert is an Assistant Professor at the University of Kentucky, where he also serves as the Stroke Rehabilitation Program Director and Associate Residency Program Director. With a deep passion for neuro-rehabilitation, and spasticity management, Dr. Elwert brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to today’s conversation.

In this episode, we dive into the world of PM&R, exploring what a typical day looks like for Dr. Elwert, the kinds of patients he sees, and how his work makes a difference in their lives. We also discuss his roles at the University of Kentucky, from teaching residents to shaping the future of the PM&R program. For students interested in pursuing a career in PM&R, Dr. Elwert shares valuable insights on what it takes to match into this specialty, the qualities residency programs look for, and advice on preparing a competitive application.

We also dive into Dr. Elwert’s personal journey through osteopathic medical school at Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, his fellowship in OMM/Anatomy, and how these experiences shaped his career in academic medicine.

  Shout out to Suzanne Chaar, OMS-III for bringing us this episode!

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We love when amazing Osteopathic Physicians reach out to us to be on the Podcast!  Today we interview Dr. Levy-Gantt,  A board certified OB/GYN who practices in Napa Valley!  She will speak to us about how she manages a solo practice in California and her work as an author.   Dr. Gantt will discuss her journey from physical therapy into medical school and finally a residency in a competitive specialty.   Her story is not for the faint hearted!  She will share her uphill battle to getting a positition in OB starting with a one year spot NO GUARANTEE!  Her story is one of DO Grit which allowed her to manage family and career and obtain success in both her personal and professional life!  Don't miss this one!

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On today's episode we interview Dr. Harmit Kalia, the Outreach Director for Northwell Health's liver transplant program and a board certified Gastroenterologist and Transplant Hepatologist- Dr. Kalia will tell us about his journey into medicine and how he decided to attend Osteopathic Medical School.  He will describe how his close relationship with a mentor ignited his love for liver disease and put him on a path for an internal medicine residency, a fellowship in gastroenterology and finally an extra training in Transplant Hepatology.  This D.O. helps patients get a new lease on life by getting them a new liver!

We know you will love this episode!

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In today’s episode we're thrilled to have Dr. Bill Admire, a physician whose dedication to both community and professional leadership is truly inspiring. Dr. Admire holds many titles,  including  Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of the Infirmary Health System in Alabama. He  serves as a Core site Medical Director for the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine and is a board member of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama. Dr. Admire has recently taken on the role as the Designated Institutional Official for the Mobile Infirmary Graduate Medical Education Program’s Internal Medicine Residency, further extending his impact on the next generation of medical professionals. He discusses his philosophy on the importance of leadership and volunteerism in medicine.

In today’s interview Dr. Admire shares with us lessons he has learned and his experiences starting as a practicing physician, moving to entrepreneurship by starting and growing a large medical group and maturing into a role as a leader and educator during 30-year career.  Dr Admire will share  his personal philosophy on medicine and  the importance of leadership and volunteerism.  We know you will  love this episode!

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  On today's episode we interview Dr. David Shumway, DO.  David was invited to speak at the recommendation of Dr. Jennifer Hauler after a recent presentation to the American Osteopathic Association on Artificial Intelligence and it's importance to the osteopathic community. 

David will give us a definition and history of AI and explain to us it's relevance to modern medicine and his thoughts on the future of the technology.  He will discuss his own path from a military family as the son of a Navy Pilot to his undergraduate education in oregon.  He will speak to us the importance of his Gastroenterology Mentor who sparked his interest in medicine. He will discuss his gap years working in epcot/ disney where he met his wife.  Finally he will tell us about his time at AT Still Arizona, followed by a residency in internal medicine with the HPSP Airforce Scholarship and how his career has come full circle as he prepares to follow in the footsteps of his father through a fellowship in Aerospace Medicine while spending time with his wife's family in Great Brittain.  We hope you learn as much from Captain Shumway as we did!

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M&M in medical terms mean Morbidity and Mortality (why did someone get sick or die!).   In this series we are using the term to stand for MYTHS and MISCONCEPTIONS about Osteopathic Medical education in response to posts and   websites which abound   on the internent.  

Today's episode will address the value of an Osteopathic School education.  Specifically we will address the question: is it worth the money to invest in a DO degree and  the mission statement of many Osteopathic Schools . . .  to train primary care docs. Who would we ask to comment on this?  None other than the famous, brilliant  financial wizard . . . . White Coat Investor!

Who is the White Coat Investor? Jim Dahle MD says it's not him . . . its you!  Dr. Dhale has a blog, podcast and courses to teach doctors about finances and money.  Today he will take about investing in an Osteopathic Medical education and answer the question. . . is the Juice worth the Squeeze!  

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On todays episode we interview Amanda Martin, DO an orthopedic surgeon  who is practicing in Nashville Tennessee.  Amanda will start her story by telling us about her experience as a sports medicine doctor at the 2024 Olympics  working with the Women's Soccer team which won gold.   Amanda is an amazing woman who puts G-D and family first with Orthopedics as a close second.  She tells us about what it was like growing up with in an Osteopathic Family and her path into a competitive subspecialties.  She will give tips not only on how to survive but how to strive as a woman in Orthopedics.  Finally we will talk about her feelings on Natasha Bray, DO, her sister and  dean at OSU COM and we put Amanda’s  hand to fire by asking her who she would consider more successful. . . a Harvard trained D.O. Dean or a D.O. Sports trained Orthopedic Surgeon!

This is a D.O. not miss episode!