“What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore— And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over— like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. Or does it explod…
Category: Medical school
The immediate impact of the transition to a pass/fail Step 1 exam
Historically, students’ three-digit scores on the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) Step 1 were a main factor in determining competitiveness for residency programs. In February 2020, the world of medical education shifted drastically w…
Effective doctors need to be challenged [PODCAST]
Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes! “Empathy, intelligence, and commitment are crucial traits every doctor must have to succeed. However, there is one trait that stands above the rest. One of the most important aspects …
Medical school admissions: wokeism vs. the Bible
According to Psychology Today, wokeism is defined as a system of thought and behavior characterized by intolerance, policing the speech of others and proving one’s own superiority by denouncing others. In a September 2, 2022, article in the New Y…
Who reads personal statements? [PODCAST]
Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes! “You received an interview invite based on ERAS filters the program set, so you already have your foot in the door. Don’t have them yawning at a two-page extravaganza of your life sto…
Who gets to graduate from medical school?
Getting into medical school is only the first step of an intense journey. Undergoing the admission process and being accepted into medical school can be an exceptional challenge, especially as a student of color, but it isn’t the only hurdle. In a prev…
Let’s meet in child’s pose and welcome the day
Anyone who has ever practiced yoga knows what that means. Child’s pose. Kneeling with toes untucked. Upper body hinged over the hips with arms outstretched and forehead resting against the mat. Breathing. In and out. In. And. Out. We are told it&…
Making it work when you’re married to a medical student
My husband’s medical school offered a “key supporters” session during his first-year orientation week. Each student’s family or significant other was invited to attend a two-hour session to learn the schedule of a student doctor…
Using simulations to improve medical decision making [PODCAST]
Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes! “The scenario is preset, and hence based on a lot of constraints, but when it is run, there is freedom for everyone to operate. This freedom to take part in the defined context is the…
The desire to be challenged is one of the most important aspects of an effective doctor
Bang! A pulsing pain surged through my head. As I floated in the water of the makeshift pond, it became apparent. I was concussed. That day, June 16, 2018, is what I consider the most significant day of my life. That injury, for a long time, led me to …
