Tales From a Breast Surgeon

Dr. Erkeda DeRouen talks to Dr. Valentina Bonev, a board certified and fellowship trained breast surgical oncologist. They talk about how she decided on her subspecialty and how to seek out mentors in your chosen field.  [00:47] Introducing Dr. Valentina Bonev [02:37] Why Breast Surgical Oncology? [07:30] How to Make Your Application Stand Out [09:46] Finding Mentors in Medicine [15:52] Dr. Bonev’s Passions Outside of Medicine [17:48] What Dr. Bonev Would Change About Healthcare Be an Exceptional Surgical Applicant  Even before residency applications start, show interest during rotations. Make your enthusiasm known by being proactive. This will surely leave a good impression. It’s helpful to find a mentor who you can form a relationship with and learn from. By working closely together, they can write a letter of recommendation to endorse your strengths. Aside from this, it’s also a good idea to participate in relevant research. If the paper is published or presented at a conference, all the better!  Be honest about your shortcomings and communicate what you’ve learned from those experiences. Lying on your application or interview is a surefire way to sabotage your chances. Another word of advice: try to maintain a good professional relationship with your colleagues because you may end up working together one day. Residency programs look for well-rounded individuals who have exposed themselves to their chosen field. How to Seek Out Mentorship Join an interest group and contact the coordinator or president. Typically, interest groups have a roster of physicians who are eager to teach. Dedicate some time to shadowing them, assisting surgeries or joining whatever opportunity comes up. By getting to know the resident and attending physicians, they can take you under their wing and show you the ins and outs. If you find that a certain specialization is not enjoyable, you can always explore other fields.    To learn more about how MedSchoolCoach can help you along your medical school journey, visit us at Prospective Doctor. You can also reach us through our social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MedSchoolCoach Dr. Erkeda’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctordgram/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ProspectiveDoctor