Welcome to the very first episode of Stories From the Innkeeper — a new series within Doctor’s Inn centered around personal stories, reflections, and the parts of medicine we don’t always talk about enough.

For our first episode, I’m joined by two of my close friends and classmates, Thomas (Tommy) Pawlowski and Anish Rana, as we reflect on a question that quietly follows many medical students throughout training:

Do you have to sacrifice yourself to succeed?

The three of us matched into our #1 residency programs, pursued research, traveled internationally, stayed connected with family and relationships, and intentionally made space for life outside of medicine. Yet throughout medical school, there was always an unspoken pressure that if you weren’t constantly grinding, suffering, or living in the library, maybe you weren’t doing enough.

In this conversation, we challenge that idea.

We talk about impostor syndrome, the pressure to fit the hyper-Type A mold, balancing travel and research, making money stretch during medical school, wellness beyond institutional checkboxes, relationships, productivity guilt, and learning the art of saying both “yes” and “no.” We also reflect on the moments that mattered most—the memories, friendships, and experiences that never make it onto a CV but ultimately shaped who we became.

This episode is a reminder that medicine doesn’t have to be a four-year gauntlet. You will have difficult seasons. But suffering is not a prerequisite for success.

Because four years later, the moments you remember most usually aren’t the extra hours spent in the library.

They’re the moments where you actually lived.

You can follow Anish on Instagram @ anish_rana and Tommy @tommyp709

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2. Visit our website at www.doctorsinnpodcast.com to gain access to in-depth resources and our YouTube channel at Doctor's Inn Podcast to watch short engaging animated videos

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In this episode of Doctor’s Inn, we sit down with Dr. Diego Sueldo, an endocrinology resident at Dos de Mayo Hospital in Lima, Peru—one of the country’s busiest and most historic public hospitals. Drawing from firsthand experience working in a resource-limited system, Dr. Sueldo offers an unfiltered look at what it truly means to practice medicine when access to labs, imaging, and medications is not guaranteed.

We explore how physicians rely on clinical reasoning, history-taking, and physical exam skills when diagnostics are limited, and the pressure that comes with making high-stakes decisions under uncertainty. The conversation dives into the realities of rural medical training, including the risks physicians face, the challenges of caring for underserved populations, and the ongoing SERUMS debate shaping healthcare delivery in Peru.

We also examine the intersection of medicine, public trust, and politics—from physician autonomy and patient safety to why vaccine acceptance remains strong in Peru while misinformation continues to erode trust in parts of the United States. Throughout the episode, Dr. Sueldo highlights the resilience, creativity, and innovation that emerge when physicians are pushed to their limits.

This episode offers a powerful perspective on global health, reminding us that medicine extends far beyond protocols and technology—it is ultimately defined by adaptability, judgment, and commitment to patient care in any environment.

If you want to support Doctor's Inn, here are some easy ways:

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2. Visit our website at www.doctorsinnpodcast.com to gain access to in-depth resources and our YouTube channel at Doctor's Inn Podcast to watch short engaging animated videos

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Dr. John Crary is a MD/PhD and board-certified neuropathologist at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Crary is a leading physician-scientist whose work has redefined how brain diseases are diagnosed, from primary age-related tauopathy (PART) to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP).

We explore the evolving landscape of neuropathologies, breaking down how conditions like Alzheimer’s can be understood beyond just plaques and tangles, and examining what tauopathies mean for both patients and medical trainees. Dr. Crary also discusses the impact of concussions in sport, the role of Artificial Intelligence in brain research, and the challenges of bias in medical datasets.

Whether you’re a medical student, researcher, or simply curious about the brain, this episode offers a deep yet accessible look at the intersection of science, medicine, and technology in understanding neurodegeneration.

For more on Dr. Crary’s work, visit www.crarylab.org.

If you want to support Doctor's Inn, here are some easy ways:

1. Leave a rating! We welcome all feedback!

2. Visit our website at www.doctorsinnpodcast.com to gain access to in-depth resources and our YouTube channel at Doctor's Inn Podcast to watch short engaging animated videos

3. Follow our socials @doctorsinnpodcast

Dr. Fatima Daoud is a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist and the first OBGYN guest on Doctor’s Inn. Dr. Daoud is a clinical assistant professor at Stony Brook University and a widely recognized voice in women’s health—featured on Buzzfeed, Cosmopolitan, The Washington Post, Teen Vogue, and more for her advocacy in debunking misinformation and promoting accessible, equitable care.

In this episode, we dive into the hidden inequities faced by women of color in pregnancy care, how unconscious biases shape medical training and patient encounters, and the historical roots of discrimination within medical specialties. Dr. Daoud also shares her insights on balancing faith and cultural humility in women’s health, navigating the challenges of residency and rotations, and empowering patients with accurate, evidence-based education. Whether you’re a medical student, practicing clinician, or simply curious about women’s health, this conversation sheds light on the path toward a more inclusive and just future in medicine.

Follow Dr. Daoud on Instagram @doctordaoud to learn more about her work, media features, and upcoming projects.

If you want to support Doctor's Inn, here are some easy ways:

1. Leave a rating! We welcome all feedback!

2. Visit our website at www.doctorsinnpodcast.com to gain access to in-depth resources and our YouTube channel at Doctor's Inn Podcast to watch short engaging animated videos

3. Follow our socials @doctorsinnpodcast

Dr. Stephanie Saucier is a cardiologist specializing in Preventative Cardiology and women’s heart health.  Dr. Saucier’s medical journey spanned across Ross University School of Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, and currently at Hartford Hospital Healthcare’s Heart and Vascular Institute, where she is the director of women's heart wellness program and the medical director of cardiac rehabilitation Hartford region. Dr. Saucier’s expertise is on how people can prevent cardiovascular diseases, which is the #1 cause of death across the world. She has a passion for physical endurance activities such as scuba diving, traveling, promoting healthy lifestyle, global health, tea, and more. To learn about the field of cardiology, women’s health, and tools to manage a healthier lifestyle, you can follow Dr. Saucier on Instagram @heartdrsaucier or tune into any of her other podcast appearances. 

We are starting off Season 2 with Dr. Richard J Brown, who is a double-board certified general surgeon and plastic & reconstructive surgeon. WIth nearly 1 million YouTube subscribers, nearly 1 billion views, and 7.8million followers on Tiktok, Dr. Brown has reached a wide range of audience to educate, entertain, and inspire. Dr. Brown’s medical journey spanned across Chicago Medical School, Northwestern University in Chicago, and University of Nebraska Medical Center. His private practice, Brown Plastic Surgery, is based in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he performs breast reconstructive surgeries, post-pregnancy procedures, otoplasty, and more. He is a consistent advocate for health and fitness, a great dad, an educator, and an incredibly reliable surgeon. You can follow Dr. Brown on Instagram @drrichardjbrown, YouTube @Doctor Ricky and Tiktok @therealtiktokdoc.

If you want to support Doctor's Inn, here are some easy ways:

1. Leave a rating! We welcome all feedback!

2. Visit our website at www.doctorsinnpodcast.com to gain access to in-depth resources and our YouTube channel at Doctor's Inn Podcast to watch short engaging animated videos

3. Follow our socials @doctorsinnpodcast

Tony Adkins is a Physician Assistant in pediatric neurosurgery at Children's Hospital of Orange County. He also works at the emergency department at St Joseph's Hospital. He is known as the “dancing doc” on social media and his philosophy on treating patients is to individualize each patient on the best practice rooted in a recovery model. Due to his widely-recognized uplifting nature as a provider, Tony has been featured on many television shows such as Good Morning America and Good Day LA. Tony graduated from the University of Washington School of Medicine’s PA program and got his masters in public health, global health, and epidemiology at Loma Linda University. He had a non-traditional path to medicine as he initially served in the army for nine years. In his free time, Tony goes out with his family, wins gladiator awards for obstacle courses, and hikes the Grand Canyon. If you want to see empowering interactions with neurosurgical pediatric patients, you can follow him on Instagram at t_malone3.

If you want to support Doctor's Inn, here are some easy ways:

1. Leave a rating! We welcome all feedback!

2. Visit our website at www.doctorsinnpodcast.com to gain access to in-depth resources and our YouTube channel at Doctor's Inn Podcast to watch short engaging animated videos

3. Follow our socials @doctorsinnpodcast

This episode was co-hosted by a pre-PA student to ask catered questions about PA school and lifestyle.

Physician Assistant Brie Marks is currently working in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at St. Luke's University Health Network. Brie got her bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University, and later her master’s degree from DeSales University in Center Valley. Brie has experienced working as a PA in in-patient neurology, pediatric psychiatry and critical care. In her free time Brie enjoys being outside, spending time with her family, and reading. She has a YouTube channel dedicated to helping pre-PA students and PA students adjust to the medical space. You can find her on instagram at briemarks_PA or her Youtube channel Brie Marks.

If you want to support Doctor's Inn, here are some easy ways:

1. Leave a rating! We welcome all feedback!

2. Visit our website at www.doctorsinnpodcast.com to gain access to in-depth resources and our YouTube channel at Doctor's Inn Podcast to watch short engaging animated videos

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Dr. Betsy Grunch is a neuro and spine surgeon based at the Longstreet Clinic in Georgia. She got her M.D. at the Medical College of Georgia and completed both her neurosurgery residency and her spine surgery fellowship at Duke University Medical Center. Her main interests are minimally invasive spine surgeries, artificial disc replacements, and the overall advancement of neurotrauma, which includes acute surgical management of traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury. She is one of Georgia’s top doctors with multiple awards along with placement in the 40 under 40 lists at UGA. During her free time, she goes on family adventures with her husband, two kids, and two dogs. To keep up to date on the life of a neuro-spine surgeon and see interesting cases along with captivating x-rays and visual information, you can follow Dr. Grunch on Instagram or on tiktok @ladyspinedoc.

If you want to support Doctor's Inn, here are some easy ways:

1. Leave a rating! We welcome all feedback!

2. Visit our website at www.doctorsinnpodcast.com to gain access to in-depth resources and our YouTube channel at Doctor's Inn Podcast to watch short engaging animated videos

3. Follow our socials @doctorsinnpodcast