Success in Medicine

By Drs. Rajani Katta and Samir Desai

What's Success in Medicine about?

The SIM podcast is dedicated to helping students and physicians achieve success in medicine. With interviews and a review of research in different areas, including career development and well-being, as well as clinical and non-clinical careers in medicine, Drs. Rajani Katta and Samir Desai present evidence-based advice and a range of insider perspectives.

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Success in Medicine episodes:

05.03.2024
Energized at Work: Episode 17 with Patient Safety Researcher Dr. Hardeep Singh
Dr. Hardeep Singh is Co-Chief of the Health Policy, Quality, and Informatics Program at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center and Baylor College of Medicine. --He is a patient safety researcher and Professor of Medicine, and is committed to researching...
04.19.2024
Energized at Work: Episode 16 with Physician-Scientist Dr. Lavannya Pandit
--This was an enlightening and inspiring conversation with Dr. Lavannya Pandit, a Physician-Scientist at the Baylor College of Medicine. --Dr. Pandit is a clinician who also performs scientific research. She is a Pulmonary Critical Care physician on staff at the Michael...
04.05.2024
Energized at Work: Episode 15 with Radiologist Dr. Monica Huang
Dr. Monica Huang is a Diagnostic Radiologist and researcher in the area of minimally invasive breast cancer treatment with cryoablation. This episode provides some great insights into crafting a career that connects deeply to your mission. Dr. Huang began her career as...
03.22.2024
Energized at Work: Episode 14 with Healthcare Administration Leader Dr. Abbey Vandersall
Dr. Abbey Vandersall is the Vice President of Quality and Clinical Services at AMSURG, an organization that maintains over 250 ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) across the United States. Her work encompasses patient safety and quality, as well as other areas...
03.01.2024
Energized at Work: Episode 13 with Family Practice Physician/ Fair Trade Medicine Proponent Dr. Andru Zeller
Dr. Andru Zeller is a primary care physician who is focused on fair trade medicine. He founded the Simply Salud Clinic in 2004 as a family-centered, fair trade, integrative medical practice for people of limited economic means. Dr. Zeller completed a...
02.23.2024
Energized at Work: Episode 12 with Pediatric Allergist/Immunologist Dr. Pooja Varshney
Dr. Pooja Varshney is a Pediatric Allergist and Immunologist at the Dell Children’s Hospital in Austin Texas. She is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Dell Medical School at the University of Texas Austin, and is Director of the...
02.16.2024
Energized at Work: Episode 11 with Dermatologist Dr. Stephanie Cotell
Dr. Stephanie Cotell is a dermatologist in private practice in Columbus, Ohio. She has been in practice for over 25 years, and as she says, “I love my job." This episode provides a great overview of what it is like to practice...
02.09.2024
Energized at work: Episode 10 with Dr. Srihari Gopal, Drug Development Leader
I was very glad to have the opportunity to speak with Dr. Srihari Gopal, who is a physician in the pharmaceutical industry and current Global Head at Regeneron. His work has encompassed multiple areas within drug development, from study design...
02.03.2024
Energized at Work: Episode 9 with Dr. William "Brett" Perkison, Occupational and Environmental Medicine Physician
This conversation with Dr. Brett Perkison highlighted several interesting aspects of both Occupational Medicine and career development. First, many medical students are simply not exposed to Occupational Medicine as a specialty choice. Learning about the different career choices within this specialty is interesting....
01.30.2024
Energized at Work: Episode 8 with Dr. Terri-Ann Samuels, Urogynecology/ Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgeon
This conversation with Dr. Terri-Ann Samuels highlights the field of urogynecology/female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. It was an interesting overview of the field, and Dr. Samuels also had some great advice for medical students, including an emphasis on lifelong...
01.19.2024
Energized at Work: Episode 7 with Dr. Munish Chawla, Lifestyle Medicine Physician
Dr. Munish Chawla is a Diagnostic Radiologist who later became a board-certified Lifestyle Medicine Physician due to his deep passion for the field. In speaking with him, I was really struck by the fulfillment he finds in this new field. He...
11.22.2023
Energized at Work: Episode 6 with Dr. Caitlin Sutton, Maternal Fetal Anesthesiology
How do you build a career on the cutting edge of medicine? For Dr. Caitlin Sutton, Division Chief of Maternal-Fetal Anesthesiology at Texas Children's Hospital, it involves pursuing your professional passions-- even when you receive unsolicited negative feedback from colleagues. Our conversation was...
11.03.2023
Energized at Work: Episode 5 with Dr. Ying Guo, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Cancer Rehabilitation
Dr. Guo is a Professor of Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine at the MD Anderson Cancer Center. As a rehabilitation physician, she works with cancer patients at all stages of their therapy to improve their function and recovery. She also brings...
10.25.2023
Energized at Work: Episode 4 with Dr. Anthony Brissett, Facial Plastic Surgeon and Medical Non-Profit Founding Member
There are several insights shared in this episode with Dr. Anthony Brissett which really struck me as important for career longevity. Dr. Brissett is a facial plastic surgeon and ENT physician. He wears a lot of hats, including responsibilities in...
10.13.2023
Energized at Work: Episode 3 with Dr. Sejal Desai, Obesity Medicine Physician and Family Medicine Physician
Dr. Sejal Desai is double board-certified in Family Medicine and Obesity Medicine, and one of the things that really comes through in this episode is the deep connection she feels to her work as an obesity medicine physician. In fact,...
10.05.2023
Energized at Work: Episode 2 Dr. Thao Galvan Transplant Surgeon
Dr. Thao Galvan is a pediatric and adult transplant surgeon, in the division of abdominal transplantation. She is an Associate Professor of Surgery at the Baylor College of Medicine, and operates at Baylor-affiliated hospitals and Texas Children’s Hospital. She is...
09.20.2023
Energized at work: Episode 1 with Dr. Amy Paller Pediatric Dermatologist and Translational Researcher
In this episode, Dr. Amy Paller shares some of her insights and strategies behind her long and impactful career as a clinician, translational researcher, and Professor and Chair. One of those insights is that in order to succeed as a...
12.19.2022
Succeeding on the USMLE Step 2 exam (Part 2): Active Learning Strategies for medical students
How can you best prepare for the USMLE Step 2 exam? In this episode, we continue our conversation with Dr. Ryan Downey, test performance coach and expert in educational assessment. Dr. Downey discusses three of the “highest utility,” or most...
12.16.2022
Succeeding on the USMLE Step 2 exam (Part 1): The “open secret” to increasing your USMLE Step 2 score by 40 points
With the Step 1 exam now using Pass/Fail scoring, the numerical score on the Step 2 CK exam is even more important than ever. How can you be sure that you’re preparing for the USMLE Step 2 exam in the...
10.11.2021
Preparing for the MMI Multiple Mini Interview Part 2
How do you prepare for the MMI multiple mini interview? As more medical schools adopt this format, premed students need to be prepared to interview at medical schools that use this format. In this episode, Dr. Rajani Katta, author of...
10.04.2021
Preparing for the MMI Multiple Mini Interview Part 1
How do you prepare for the MMI multiple mini interview? As more medical schools adopt this format, premed students need to be prepared to interview at medical schools that use this format. In this episode, Dr. Rajani Katta, author of...
09.27.2021
How To Match Into a Competitive Specialty: Part 2
What does it take to match into a competitive specialty or program? In Part 2 of this series, join Drs. Samir Desai and Rajani Katta as they discuss important strategies to significantly improve your chances. In this episode, you'll learn...
09.20.2021
How To Match Into a Competitive Specialty: Part 1
How do you match into a competitive specialty? In this episode, we discuss specific strategies for matching, even if you have a lower USMLE score or may otherwise be less competitive than other applicants. We review three major strategies, including...
09.17.2021
Supplemental ERAS Application Part 3: Preference Signaling
In the 2021-2022 residency application cycle, applicants applying to internal medicine, general surgery, and dermatology will be able to signal programs of their significant interest through the ERAS supplemental application. In this episode, join Dr. Samir Desai as he discusses...
09.15.2021
Supplemental ERAS Application Part 2: Geographic Information
This is Part 2 of our series on the supplemental ERAS application which was introduced in 2021 for residency applicants applying to internal medicine (preliminary and categorical), general surgery (categorical), and dermatology. In Part 1, we talked about how to...
09.07.2021
Supplemental ERAS Application Part 1: Past Experiences
In 2021, the supplemental ERAS application was added as a new component of the residency application for applicants applying to internal medicine (preliminary and categorical), general surgery (categorical), and dermatology residency programs. In this episode, join Dr. Samir Desai as...
07.29.2021
How Residency Applicants Can Find Research Opportunities and Increase Their Chances of Publication
We know that participation in research, especially work that leads to publication or presentation, can strengthen the residency application. However, a major challenge is finding such opportunities. In this episode, join Drs. Samir Desai and Rajani Katta as they break...
06.25.2021
Advice from a Caribbean Medical School Graduate: Interview with Dr. Marc Katz
Over 5,200 U.S. citizen IMGs participated in the 2021 NRMP Match. These students had to answer some difficult questions before they started medical school. Among them: Should I attend medical school outside the U.S.? Will my decision to go abroad...
03.07.2021
NRMP SOAP: How To Prepare in Case You Don't Match
On Monday of Match Week, the NRMP informs residency applicants if they have matched. Unmatched applicants can take part in the NRMP Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program, also known as SOAP. SOAP offers a process for applicants to secure positions in...
01.22.2021
How To Succeed In Your Telemedicine Rotation
Although telemedicine has been available for years, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated its use not only in patient care but also in medical education. Drs. Rajani Katta and Samir Desai discuss telemedicine rotations and how students can make the most...
01.06.2021
Matching into Internal Medicine with USMLE Brazil Founder - Dr. Bruno Lima
If you are an international medical graduate (IMG) seeking to complete your residency training in the U.S., you will face unique challenges in your efforts to match successfully. Overcoming these challenges will require a strong understanding of the application process...
11.20.2020
Virtual Medical School and Residency Interviews: Tips for Success
Medical schools and residency programs have shifted to virtual interviews in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While virtual interviews offer a safe alternative to in-person interviews, they do present applicants with unique challenges. In this episode, Drs. Rajani Katta and...
10.10.2020
Analyzing your Activities Before the Medical School Interview
The strongest medical school interview responses are those that are unique to you. Creating these types of responses relies on being able to discuss and highlight your unique interests, strengths, goals, and experiences. That's why it's so important to review...
09.25.2020
A Common Medical School Interview Question: Why Are You Interested In Our Medical School?
There are some questions that we can confidently say you will be asked at every medical school admissions interview. "Why are you interested in our medical school" is certainly one of them. Unfortunately, many applicants fail to develop and deliver...
09.25.2020
Medical School Admissions Interview: More Important than GPA or MCAT?
After all those hours spent in class and studying for the MCAT, not to mention poring over your application and personal statement to make sure it's just right, you've received the words you've been waiting to hear. "We would like...
07.17.2020
Why You Should Consider Writing Program-Specific Personal Statements For Residency
Although residency applicants may submit the same personal statement to all programs, ERAS allows applicants to create program-specific personal statements. Should you personalize or customize your personal statement for different programs? Join Drs. Rajani Katta and Samir Desai as they...
06.19.2020
USMLE Step 2 CS Exam Suspended: What IMGs Should Know About New Pathways for ECFMG Certification
In response to the suspension of the USMLE Step 2 CS exam due to COVID, the ECFMG has identified new pathways for ECFMG accreditation for international medical graduates (IMGs) who have not yet taken and passed the CS exam. Join...
06.05.2020
The Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE), also known as the Dean's letter, and its importance in the residency match
The Medical Student Performance Evaluation or MSPE, previously known as the Dean's Letter, is an important part of the residency application. In a recent survey of over 1,200 program directors representing 24 specialties, over 80% of programs cited the MSPE...
05.29.2020
Step 2 CS Suspension: Implications for Residency Applicants
The USMLE program has suspended the USMLE Step 2 CS (Clinical Skills) exam for the next 12-18 months due to the coronavirus pandemic. What does this mean for residency applicants? Join Drs. Rajani Katta and Samir Desai as they discuss...
05.05.2020
What Medical Students need to know about Strong Letters of Recommendation and The Residency Match
Letters of recommendation are extremely important for success in the residency match. How important are these letters? In a recent survey of program directors in 24 specialties, letters were rated second in importance. The only factor rated more important in making...
04.24.2020
Coronavirus and the residency match: What US medical students should do next
The process of applying for a residency position in the Match is challenging under normal circumstances. The coronavirus pandemic has made the process even more complex. In this episode, Drs. Rajani Katta and Samir Desai discuss how U.S. medical students...
04.02.2020
What to do if your Observership or Externship was canceled due to Coronavirus
The coronavirus pandemic has led hospitals to cancel their observership and externship programs for international medical graduates (IMGs). In this episode, Drs. Rajani Katta and Samir Desai discuss how this will impact IMGs in the residency match. You will learn...
03.13.2020
USMLE Step 1 Pass/Fail | What This Means for IMG Residency Applicants
The USMLE Step 1 exam will change from numerical scoring to pass/fail scoring in 2022. This will have a major effect on the way in which residency programs evaluate applicants. What does this mean for international medical students and graduates seeking...
01.25.2020
Why I Went To St. Matthews University School of Medicine: Advice for Premedical Students
With so many medical school options in the Caribbean, it can be difficult for premedical students to decide which school to attend. In this episode, join Dr. Samir Desai as he interviews Sapana Desai, a graduate of the St. Matthews...
07.16.2018
How I Got Into Harvard Medical School: Strategies to Boost your GPA (Part 2)
Dr. Samir Desai continues his conversation with Showly Nicholson who recently received some great news - he got into Harvard Medical School! In Part 1 of this two-part series, Showly described his journey to medical school with a focus on academics....
07.03.2018
How I Got Into Harvard Medical School: Strategies to Boost your GPA (Part 1)
Join Dr. Samir Desai as he interviews Showly Nicholson who just received some great news - he got into Harvard Medical School! In Part 1 of this two-part series, Showly describes his journey to medical school with a focus on...
06.26.2018
Applying to Internal Medicine Residency: 3 Important Factors
With over 500 internal medicine residency programs to choose from, it can be difficult for applicants to decide which programs to apply. In this episode, join Dr. Samir Desai as he discusses 3 important factors to consider.
06.05.2018
How I Matched Into Psychiatry: Interview With Dhruv Gupta (Part 2)
In this episode, Dr. Samir Desai continues his conversation with Dhruv Gupta, a fourth-year medical student who just received some good news. He got into Psychiatry! Part 2 will provide an in-depth look at letters of recommendation and the residency...
04.25.2018
How I Matched Into Psychiatry: Interview With Dhruv Gupta (Part 1)
Join Dr. Samir Desai as he interviews Dhruv Gupta, a fourth-year medical student who just received some good news. He got into Psychiatry! Dhruv's interest in psychiatry can be traced back to his childhood spent living in different countries. He...
03.28.2018
How I Matched Into Ophthalmology: Interview With Sudip Thakar
Matching into Ophthalmology has been difficult for years, and the 2018 Ophthalmology Match was no exception. There were far more applicants than positions available, and approximately 25% of the applicant pool failed to secure residency positions in the specialty. To maximize...

What's Success in Medicine about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Success in Medicine episodes:

Energized at Work: Episode 17 with Patient Safety Researcher Dr. Hardeep Singh

Energized at Work: Episode 16 with Physician-Scientist Dr. Lavannya Pandit

Energized at Work: Episode 15 with Radiologist Dr. Monica Huang

Energized at Work: Episode 14 with Healthcare Administration Leader Dr. Abbey Vandersall

Energized at Work: Episode 13 with Family Practice Physician/ Fair Trade Medicine Proponent Dr. Andru Zeller

Energized at Work: Episode 12 with Pediatric Allergist/Immunologist Dr. Pooja Varshney

Energized at Work: Episode 11 with Dermatologist Dr. Stephanie Cotell

Energized at work: Episode 10 with Dr. Srihari Gopal, Drug Development Leader

Energized at Work: Episode 9 with Dr. William "Brett" Perkison, Occupational and Environmental Medicine Physician

Energized at Work: Episode 8 with Dr. Terri-Ann Samuels, Urogynecology/ Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgeon

Energized at Work: Episode 7 with Dr. Munish Chawla, Lifestyle Medicine Physician

Energized at Work: Episode 6 with Dr. Caitlin Sutton, Maternal Fetal Anesthesiology

Energized at Work: Episode 5 with Dr. Ying Guo, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Cancer Rehabilitation

Energized at Work: Episode 4 with Dr. Anthony Brissett, Facial Plastic Surgeon and Medical Non-Profit Founding Member

Energized at Work: Episode 3 with Dr. Sejal Desai, Obesity Medicine Physician and Family Medicine Physician

Energized at Work: Episode 2 Dr. Thao Galvan Transplant Surgeon

Energized at work: Episode 1 with Dr. Amy Paller Pediatric Dermatologist and Translational Researcher

Succeeding on the USMLE Step 2 exam (Part 2): Active Learning Strategies for medical students

Succeeding on the USMLE Step 2 exam (Part 1): The “open secret” to increasing your USMLE Step 2 score by 40 points

Preparing for the MMI Multiple Mini Interview Part 2

Preparing for the MMI Multiple Mini Interview Part 1

How To Match Into a Competitive Specialty: Part 2

How To Match Into a Competitive Specialty: Part 1

Supplemental ERAS Application Part 3: Preference Signaling

Supplemental ERAS Application Part 2: Geographic Information

Supplemental ERAS Application Part 1: Past Experiences

How Residency Applicants Can Find Research Opportunities and Increase Their Chances of Publication

Advice from a Caribbean Medical School Graduate: Interview with Dr. Marc Katz

NRMP SOAP: How To Prepare in Case You Don't Match

How To Succeed In Your Telemedicine Rotation

Matching into Internal Medicine with USMLE Brazil Founder - Dr. Bruno Lima

Virtual Medical School and Residency Interviews: Tips for Success

Analyzing your Activities Before the Medical School Interview

A Common Medical School Interview Question: Why Are You Interested In Our Medical School?

Medical School Admissions Interview: More Important than GPA or MCAT?

Why You Should Consider Writing Program-Specific Personal Statements For Residency

USMLE Step 2 CS Exam Suspended: What IMGs Should Know About New Pathways for ECFMG Certification

The Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE), also known as the Dean's letter, and its importance in the residency match

Step 2 CS Suspension: Implications for Residency Applicants

What Medical Students need to know about Strong Letters of Recommendation and The Residency Match

Coronavirus and the residency match: What US medical students should do next

What to do if your Observership or Externship was canceled due to Coronavirus

USMLE Step 1 Pass/Fail | What This Means for IMG Residency Applicants

Why I Went To St. Matthews University School of Medicine: Advice for Premedical Students

How I Got Into Harvard Medical School: Strategies to Boost your GPA (Part 2)

How I Got Into Harvard Medical School: Strategies to Boost your GPA (Part 1)

Applying to Internal Medicine Residency: 3 Important Factors

How I Matched Into Psychiatry: Interview With Dhruv Gupta (Part 2)

How I Matched Into Psychiatry: Interview With Dhruv Gupta (Part 1)

How I Matched Into Ophthalmology: Interview With Sudip Thakar

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