Medical school
My book reviews for premed students
As a child, I was always reading. As is the case for many people, I lost my literary passion in high school and college as my time was taken up by extracurriculars and doomscrolling on my phone. One thing I have thoroughly enjoyed about my gap years between graduation from college and matriculation into medical school is reconnecting with reading. I have read a wide variety of books, but below …
How one medical student’s life-changing conversation reshaped her career
The fourth-year medical student “Megan” urgently wanted to meet with me. She just returned from an away rotation in pathology in mid-August and wanted to talk. She was not her usual confident self, appearing distracted and pale. She shared that she had thoroughly enjoyed her rotation and had found it stimulating and the faculty inspiring. One of her …
Why kindness is the missing link in medical education [PODCAST]
It’s not a normal job, folks: How 3 elemental forces of reality shape the profession of medicine
Introduction
In the book Ender’s Game, humans face a time-dilation war in which they must travel light-years into the future to face an enemy of unknown strength and scale. The weapons and technology they possess for the journey may be outdated by their arrival, because relativity minimizes the passage of time. The same dilemma is true for medical and premedical students who can spend decades in training, only to emerge without …
Insights gained by attending vascular surgery conferences as a medical student: tips and lessons learned
Attending academic conferences as a medical student offers a wealth of opportunities. Whether it’s networking, finding potential mentors, deepening your knowledge of specialties, or simply exploring new cities, conferences provide unique experiences that can significantly shape your career. As a medical student, I had the chance to attend both regional and national vascular surgery conferences through travel scholarships, and I want to share the lessons I learned in the hope …
The health crisis no one’s talking about: Why teens need better health education
Many students only learn basic health facts, like how to put a condom on a banana or that the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell. But when it comes to making real-life health decisions, this scarce knowledge just doesn’t cut it. Shockingly, only 12 percent of American adults have proficient health literacy skills. This gap becomes especially clear in college, where young adults face new independence and make crucial …
How can we make neurosurgery more accessible to future generations?
Neurosurgery is an exhilarating and rewarding field that combines cutting-edge technology with the intricate art of surgical precision. Yet, despite its allure, many medical students feel intimidated or uncertain about pursuing this path. As a fourth-year medical student applying to neurosurgery, I have noticed several barriers that could be addressed to make the field more accessible and inclusive for future generations.
One of the primary obstacles is the lack of early …
How lack of hands-on experience could endanger patient safety [PODCAST]
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Join us for an episode featuring Lynn McComas, a recognized expert in precepting nurse practitioners and advanced practice provider students. We’ll discuss the critical importance of hands-on training in medical education and the …
The surprising power of laughter and creativity in medical training
Teaching is a blast! As an attending, I love to employ offbeat methods, with absurdity and humor, at times skirting the edge of political incorrectness, all for the purpose of enhancing one’s medical education.
Educating medical students and residents by practicing physicians is a tried-and-true element of medical education, a practice dating back through the ages, where those without formal education in the art of teaching provided instruction. This tradition continues …
Redefining failure in neurosurgery: a student’s perspective on growth and learning
Failure is a word that carries a heavy burden, particularly in the field of neurosurgery, where precision is paramount and the stakes are often life and death. As a 4th-year medical student preparing to enter this demanding specialty, I have come to realize that failure is not something to be feared, but rather an essential part of the learning process. During my rotations, I have witnessed and experienced firsthand how …
Failure is not the end: Creating space for grace in the medical field
A medical school classmate recently said to me, “You won’t be remembered for your failures.” Her words were exactly what I needed to hear after failing my medical school licensing exam. She was right—I am more than my failures. I have failed, but I am not a failure. There is a difference. Failing is something that happens to you. Failure is what can define you, but only if you allow …
The power of emotional intelligence: a personal story and lessons for physicians
The student I worked with quietly said, “Dr. Reinking, I think you multiplied wrong.” My shoulders tensed slightly, and my stomach dropped. We had just spent the better part of an hour working through a feeding and fluid plan with a patient’s family. The child had recently undergone open heart surgery. Feeding intolerance is relatively common after surgery and in children with congenital heart disease. Fluid management is also important …
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Neurosurgical innovations that could define my generation of surgeons
As a fourth-year medical student on the cusp of entering neurosurgery, I am constantly amazed by the innovations revolutionizing this field. These advances promise not only to transform the practice of neurosurgery but also to redefine the training and skill set required for the next generation of neurosurgeons. From virtual reality (VR) for surgical planning to novel minimally invasive techniques and the emergence of personalized medicine, these cutting-edge technologies hold …
How medical students can contribute to neurosurgery research: tips for getting started
Neurosurgery is a rapidly evolving field, with continuous advancements in technologies and techniques. For aspiring neurosurgeons, involvement in research is key to enhancing residency applications and contributing to the field’s progress. Here are some practical tips for students aiming to contribute to neurosurgery research:
1. Find a mentor who matches your research interests. Identifying the right mentor is key to starting your research journey. Look for faculty members who are active …
How delayed gratification in medical school can make or break your career [PODCAST]
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We sit down with Ben Reinking, a board-certified pediatric cardiologist, medical educator, and certified physician development coach, to explore the challenges and rewards of medical training. We dive into themes of delayed gratification, …
Why representation alone won’t solve health care equity issues
I attended a workshop on developing equitable health information materials, emphasizing that people are more responsive to data when individuals of similar complexion and/or features are represented. This concept originated in education, where research indicated that youth learned better from teachers with similar characteristics, and it was subsequently extended to health care. However, universal application is unrealistic, as Black children will not always have Black teachers, and patients of color …
A day in the life of a medical student on a neurosurgery rotation
As a fourth-year medical student applying to neurosurgery residency, my rotation in neurosurgery has been one of the most intense and rewarding experiences of my medical education. The days are long, the cases complex, and the learning curve steep, but every day reaffirms my passion for the specialty. Here is a glimpse into a typical day on my neurosurgery rotation—a day that starts before the sun rises and is filled …
How this doctor turned music into a secret weapon for medical students [PODCAST]
Living out of a car to pursue a dream: the true price of becoming a doctor [PODCAST]
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We sit down with Christina Stach, a medical student who shares her powerful journey of navigating the financial hardships of medical education. Christina’s story sheds light on the unique challenges faced by first-generation, …
Past Week
Past 6 Months
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Rethinking the JUPITER trial and statin safety
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How one physician redesigned her practice to find joy in primary care again [PODCAST]
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When language barriers become a medical emergency
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The measure of a doctor, the misery of a patient
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A doctor’s struggle with burnout and boundaries
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The stoic cure for modern anxiety
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Recent Posts
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Past Week
Past 6 Months
-
Rethinking the JUPITER trial and statin safety
-
How one physician redesigned her practice to find joy in primary care again [PODCAST]
-
When language barriers become a medical emergency
-
The measure of a doctor, the misery of a patient
-
A doctor’s struggle with burnout and boundaries
-
The stoic cure for modern anxiety
-
Recent Posts
