In today's episode, I sit down with Michael Chen, an EMT with Austin Travis County EMS and combat medic in the Texas Army National Guard. Michael shares his remarkable journey from joining the EMS Explorer program in high school to his current dual role in emergency medicine. He discusses his experiences during ride-outs, the mentors who shaped his path, and the challenging realities of military medical training. Michael offers unique perspectives on how his civilian EMS experience prepared him for military service, and vice versa. He also reflects on the deeper meaning of service as the child of Chinese immigrants and provides candid advice about staying true to your own path despite external pressures. Listen in, and discover how emergency medicine can transform both careers and lives in ways you might never expect.

In today's episode, I interview Clinical Specialist Brown with Austin Travis County EMS. He discusses his experiences and journey as an EMS professional, including his role as the head paramedic on the EMS truck and as the lead advisor of the local Explorer Post. He also discusses the importance of public education in prehospital care and how he teaches youth about EMS. Listen in, and maybe this episode will change your whole opinion on the world of emergency medicine services.

Welcome to our special year-end episode of Emergency Medicine Memoirs. As we wrap up 2024, we'll journey through a remarkable year of conversations that spanned the entire healthcare spectrum – from emergency departments to military medical operations, from osteopathic medicine to neurosurgery. This year brought us candid discussions about physician burnout with CMO Dr. Garza, groundbreaking research insights from Dr. Agarwal, and powerful perspectives from military medical professionals like Combat Medic Douglas and Colonel Dr. Cuddy.

We heard compelling stories from paramedics working the front lines, delved into the evolving world of medical education with student Mike Brennan, and explored the fascinating history of osteopathic medicine with Dr. Freeman. Through these conversations, we've gained invaluable insights into the challenges facing modern healthcare workers, witnessed the impact of technological advancement in medicine, and understood the growing importance of preventative care and holistic approaches to patient treatment.

Thank you to our devoted listeners who've made this journey possible and to our incredible guests who've shared their experiences so openly. Your support has made each episode possible and contributed to our understanding of the complex and ever-evolving world of emergency medicine. Let's revisit the moments that made 2024 a year of remarkable insights and powerful storytelling in emergency medicine.

Join us for an interview with Colonel Dr. Cuddy, Neurosurgeon, U.S. Army Reserve Surgeon from Charleston, South Carolina, where he recently shared insights into his journey and the field of neurosurgery.

Join us for an exciting conversation with EMT/Medical Student Mike Brennan. In today’s episode, Brennan brought up many enthralling ideas. We discussed how EMS prepared him for medical school, how he managed the high pressure as a medical scribe at a trauma center, and what kept him motivated through medical school.

Join us for an informative discussion with Dr. Agarwal from Maine Medical Center. She is an MD/PhD-trained epidemiologist and emergency medicine physician who focuses on researching how the work environment affects physicians and their clinical practice. Some exciting ideas we discussed included her views on how EM has evolved from a hospital standpoint and how the pandemic may have changed the landscape of epidemiology.

Join us for a unique conversation with Rachel Douglas, an Advanced EMT, and US Army Combat Medic with the 68W (pronounced as "sixty-eight whiskey"). In today's episode, Douglas discusses her journey into the field of EMS, the distinctions between a civilian medic and an army combat medic, and how she trained for both roles.

Join us for an intriguing conversation with EMT/Nurse Ramsey Malieswski. In today’s episode, Malieswski highlighted many interesting topics and ideas. Some topics we discussed included the role of a rapid-response nurse, how it differs from EMS responsibilities, and how he prioritizes care in high-emergency situations.

Join us for an intriguing discussion with Paramedic Grimm from URI EMS. This compelling episode traces her journey from a high school student fascinated by medical dramas to her current role as a paramedic in a coastal community. Paramedic Grimm shares insights from her college EMS experience, emphasizing the diverse range of calls she encountered. She delves into the critical role of teamwork in emergency response and outlines the essential qualities that define exceptional EMS providers.

Join us for an exciting conversation with Paramedic Bockewitz from Austin Travis County EMS. In this episode, Paramedic Bockewitz highlighted many interesting and thought-provoking ideas. Some ideas we discussed included his introduction to EMS and his approach to helping patients cope with the traumas they encountered.