Category: Medical school

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 …

How the ARISE model transforms feedback into professional growth [PODCAST]

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes! Alicia DiGiammarino, an expert in health professions education innovation and research, discusses her KevinMD article, “Transform feedback into growth with the ARISE…

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…

If I could talk to my younger self before medical school

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…

Debt and despair: Navigating medical training challenges [PODCAST]

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes! A medical student, Janet Constance Coleman-Belin, discusses her KevinMD article “The hidden cost of medical training: debt, depression, and despair.” Janet exp…

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…

Transform feedback into growth with the ARISE model

I am going to ask you to do something, and I hope you’ll play along. Think back on your week. Did anyone tell you that you did something well or that you could tweak the way you did something just a bit? Did anyone pull you aside to say they woul…

Going beyond apologies: Bringing intergenerational trauma education into medical training for Indigenous health

In October, President Biden formally apologized for the U.S. Indian boarding school system—a brutal legacy of forced assimilation that inflicted profound harm on Indigenous communities and continues to reverberate today. For those who are unfamiliar, N…