Medical training is hard for everyone, but faculty and administration influence trainee success—and have the power to drive change. This article follows “The hidden cost of medical training: Debt, depression, and despair,” which left one cr…
Category: Education
Residency programs value diversity and inclusivity
Residency interview season is wrapping up; applicants and programs are weighing each other’s relative flaws and merits. In about a month, rank lists are due, and then the applicants’ fates are up to the Match. Where they will spend the next…
Why pursue a dual degree in medicine and policy?
As a third-year medical student pursuing both an MD and an MS in public policy, I am often asked, “Why add another graduate degree when medicine is already so demanding?” Wrapping up my first semester of policy graduate school, I’ve b…
The missing piece in medical education: Why health systems science matters
After the world watched a health care CEO get murdered on the street, the views of the public became intriguing. Although there are more current health care concerns on our minds, the murder of the United Health Care CEO should and will continue to be …
The future of diversity in medical schools is under threat
The recent decision by the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) to remove diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives from its website has sparked a significant debate within the academic community. This move, aimed at complying with an executive o…
Why I have mixed feelings about being inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society
When I learned that I had been chosen for the Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS), I was ecstatic. It felt like a profound recognition of my values and hard work—a celebration of compassion, empathy, and humanism, which have always been the cornerstone …
The burden of shadowing and volunteering in medical school admissions: a hurdle, not a measure of commitment
In recent years, the requirements for medical school admission have expanded far beyond academic excellence and personal statements. Shadowing physicians and accumulating volunteer hours are now seen as prerequisites for demonstrating commitment to the…
Rethinking residency: How to reshape graduate medical education
Graduate medical education (GME) could explore several forward-thinking processes to enhance the journey of medical trainees. These processes could focus on selecting applicants for residency, fostering their development to excel as trainees, and prepa…
The weight of the white coat: imposter syndrome among medical students
For students, medical school is more than just an educational opportunity: it’s a major stage of life that can evoke profound self-reflection. Between classes, clinical experiences, and interactions with classmates, one of these reflections may b…
Finding your “why”: lessons for future medical students
I still remember the day I opened my acceptance letter to medical school. It felt surreal—a rush of excitement and pride that had me packing my bags months before classes began. As a kid, I was always a dreamer. My dolls weren’t just toys; they w…
