On today’s episode, we interview Dr. Miko Rose, A psychiatrist and the founding dean for the proposed Indiana University of Pennsylvania.  She will discuss the importance of the school and why it is so impressive that it will be one of the few State Osteopathic schools in existence.  She will discuss why it is so vital to fill the underserved primary care need and what the school plans to accomplish.  She will discuss growing up in an indigent family and how she discovered osteopathic medicine, ultimately training as a psychiatrist.  An amazing do not miss episode.

In today's episode we meet Dr. Richard Thacker, the president-elect of the American Osteopathic Association.  We will learn why he decided to get involved in the organization and how he became the "future president" of the AOA.  Dr. Thacker's journey is inspiring and his enthusiasm is infectious.  You will love this episode. 

In today's episode we interview Dr. Syliva Caswell, DO, MPH. Dr. Caswell is a double board-certified physician in Preventive Medicine/Public Health and Lifestyle Medicine. After earning her undergraduate degree in Anthropology with a Health emphasis from the University of Utah, she completed her osteopathic medical degree at Campbell University in North Carolina. 

Dr. Caswell began her journey in family medicine, completing her internship year and practicing as a general physician in southwest Florida. Along the way, she’s worn many hats, from being a health coach to a certified group fitness instructor, leading high-intensity interval training classes during her medical school and residency years. Most recently, Dr. Caswell completed her residency training in Preventive Medicine/Public Health at Loma Linda University Health, where she served as chief resident and also earned her Master of Public Health degree. 

In this episode, we discuss the differences between Preventive Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine, explore Dr. Caswell’s inspiring personal journey, and highlight her role as the Associate Program Director for the Preventive Medicine Residency at Loma Linda University Health. She also provides valuable insights on what it takes to match into this specialty, and the qualities residency programs look for. 

  Shout out to Suzanne Char, MS III for bringing us this episode!

For those of you that don't know, in the modern system of medical school clinical rotations, students typically rotate at their "home institutions" or medical school affiliates.  One of the criticisms of post-graduate Osteopathic Medical education is that at some schools, students need to do a significant number of away rotations especially if they are interested in competitive surgical specialties.  The VSLO is an organization through the AAMC which allows American MD and American DO students to coordinate these rotations with outside hospitals.   This episode is mainly in response to posts on Redit and Youtube commenting on the process for Osteopathic Medical Students.  To shed some light on the topic, In this episode, we will interview Robin Carle, the director of VSLO at the AAMC to shed some light on the VSLO process and the validity of the comments regarding biases within the system against DO's. 

Alexander King is an ONMM specialist, who focuses on Manual therapy not just in an outpatient setting, but an inpateint setting as well!  He was in private practice, but transitioned to a teaching role at Rowan-Virta!  He was a rockstar at OMED!  Who else would make hats stating, "OMM SAVES LIVES!"  Amazing!

On today's episode, we interivew Kimberly Wolf, DO. a professor at Touro California.   Dr. Wolf will discuss with us the modality of Cranial Osteopathic Manipulation and how she became interested in the field.  She will share her passion for helping children with this miraculous therapy and how Osteopathic Physicians can become proficient in the technique. 

In this episode, we interviewed Dr. Matthew Cannon, the Campus Dean for the Carolinas campus and Senior Dean for all four campuses of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Cannon emphasized the importance of character development, compassion, and community involvement in medical education. He highlighted the unique approach of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, focusing on its global mindset, community focus, and commitment to serving rural and medically underserved populations. Dr. Cannon emphasized the holistic approach to medicine and osteopathy, which considers the mind, body, and spirit when treating patients. 

During the discussion, we explored the importance of preparing medical students for board exams and clinical practice. Dr. Cannon underscored the role of complex and USMLE step exams in evaluating students' knowledge and skills. Additionally, we discussed the significance of a holistic approach to learning, including considering the student's work environment, stress levels, diet, and financial status, all of which can impact their educational journey and clinical practice.

Osteopathic education in surgery has undergone significant changes, especially with the transition to a single ACGME accreditation system in 2020. Despite initial concerns about equitable access and representation, studies have highlighted increasing competitiveness of osteopathic medical students in surgical residency matches and comparable outcomes between allopathic and osteopathic surgeons, affirming the quality of osteopathic training. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Kristen Conrad-Schnetz, recent president of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons (ACOS) and General Surgery program director at Cleveland Clinic South Pointe Hospital, about osteopathy in general surgery. We delve into the role of osteopathic principles in surgical training and practice and the impact of transitioning to a single accreditation system. Dr. Conrad-Schnetz shares insights on overcoming misconceptions about DO surgeons and her vision for the future of osteopathic recognition in surgery.

Join hosts Pooja Varman MD, Judith French PhD, and Jeremy Lipman MD, MHPE for this exciting conversation with Kristen Conrad-Schnetz, DO.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this episode, listeners will be able to

1.     List the four tenets of osteopathic medicine

2.     Identify how osteopathic principles and practices can be incorporated into surgical practice

3.     Explain the significance of osteopathic recognition in residency programs

4.     Discuss strategies for promoting equity for DO surgery residents

References

1.  Williamson TK, Martinez VH, Ojo DE, et al. An analysis of osteopathic medical students applying to surgical residencies following transition to a single graduate medical education accreditation system. Journal of Osteopathic Medicine. 2024;124(2):51-59. doi:10.1515/jom-2023-0118 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37921195/
2.  Russell TA, Yoshida R, Men M, et al. Comparison of Outcomes for Patients Treated by Allopathic vs Osteopathic Surgeons. JAMA Surgery. Published online October 16, 2024. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2024.4580 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39412774/
3.  Etheart I, Krise SM, Burns JB, Conrad-Schnetz K. The Effect of Single Accreditation on Medical Student Match Rates in Surgical Specialties. Cureus. 2021;13(4):e14301. doi:10.7759/cureus.14301 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33968513/
Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more. 
If you liked this episode, check out our recent episodes here: https://app.behindtheknife.org/listen

If it is helpful, here is a brief intro to Behind the Knife.  Behind the Knife is the world’s #1 surgical education platform. From high-yield educational topics to interviews with leaders in the field, Behind the Knife delivers the information you need to know. Behind the Knife's mission is to revolutionize surgical education by creating timely, relevant, and engaging content delivered through an easily accessible multimodal educational platform that meets the needs of busy surgeons and modern trainees.  

In today’s episode we interview Dr. Dan Waters, a retired cardiothoracic surgeon. Dr. Waters is the author of multiple books and a column which appears semi-monthly In the DO online Journal, which is a must read.  This proud Osteopathic Trailblazer will reflect on his career as a cardiothoracic surgeon. He will take us through his medical school education at Rowan followed by his Specialty training at the elite institution, Cleveland clinic.  This beacon of Osteopathy will share with us  what being an osteopathic physician has meant to him over the span of his career and give advice to aspiring  Osteopathic surgeons interested in this clinical path.

In this episode, we will interview Dr. Thomas Cavaliere, the current Dean of the Rowan Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Cavaliere graduated from the Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine, following which he completed an internal medicine residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Under his leadership, the Rowan Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine has been named one of the best medical schools in the country for primary care and geriatric medical education. Dr. Cavalierey has also recently been selected to serve as the inaugural Senior Vice Provost of the Virtua Health College of Medicine and Life Sciences, as well as the Chief Academic Officer for the Virtua Health System. 

It is an honor to interview such an accomplished physician, and we believe his perspectives are valuable for everyone from pre-medical students to attending physicians. Dr. Cavaliere will discuss the advantages of pursuing a career in academic medicine, emphasizing the opportunity to combine clinical practice with teaching and research, and the fulfillment of caring for patients while training the next generation of physicians. We know you will love this episode.

If you enter a residency in family practice is it limiting? We've always heard things like "jack of all trade but master of none?"  Not true!  Listen to this D.O. who does family practice, but did extra training in Obstetrics so that she can take care of mothers in labor and other more specialized areas of medicine!

Today’s guest speaker is Chrissa Karagiannis, a fourth year medical student at Touro California College of Osteopathic Medicine, who is currently in the thick of the residency application and interview process for Family Medicine. In today’s episode, Chrissa will share with us her experience participating in the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program, as an excellent way for students interested in primary care specialties to alleviate the financial burdens of becoming a physician. Chrissa will share her journey to osteopathic medical school, and her passion for working with underserved populations, specifically in overdose prevention. Chrissa will share her involvement with SOMA’s Overdose Prevention Committee, and her experience with the AACOM Health Policy Internship, advocating for vulnerable populations and focusing on education for overdose training. Ultimately, I was inspired by Chrissa’s passion for advocacy and service with the opioid crisis, and I know you will enjoy this episode as much as we did.

D.O.'s are complete physicians in the US, but what happens if you go to another country?  This DO went to school in America, did residency and now is practicing in Canada?  How do you do that? Can you prescribe medications? Can you do OMM? How do patients think of Osteopathic Medicine up north?  Listen and find out!

Dr. Storch again? YUP!  He is invited by Jim Dhale, MD to disucuss the benefits of osteopathic medicine and have a showdown with him on which degree is better!

What should someone know when applying to a Caribbean MD medical school?  We have been asked this question more than once, but this is a D.O. podcast!

But we have the perfect answer. . . Today we speak to a couple, Jonah Zeitlin DO and Samantha Gerstman, MD. who went to undergraduate together and fell in love!

One decided to to the D.O. route and the other the Caribbean M.D.  We will speak to them about their perceived differences!  What were to pros and cons?  

Ultimately they successfully couples matched into ENT and Pediatrics!  We'll hear about that process as well!

What a discussion!  Don't miss!

Today we will interview Sean McMilan, the president of the AOAO, which stands for the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics.  He will discuss why he feels orthopedics is a great specialty and what being a DO brings to the profession.  He will talk about his own difficult journey and how he pays it forward, helping Osteopathic Physicians accomplish their dream!  What a great episode!

Dr Wunderler is a wonderful human being!

She started her career as an Orthopedic Surgery resident but left when she found that the specialty was not for her.  

She loved sports and shifted gears going into Family Practice with an fellowship in sports medicine.

She now works for Harley Davidson. . . A dream job!

But there is a dark side to the story.   Learn about SUDC and a time when two physicians came home from dinner to find their young daughter was not breathing!

A difficult story and what the good doctor has done to remember her daughter, Vienna!

A member of the Board of Governors for the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons, Dr. Sogunro feels that she was "born to be a D.O."

She will share with us her journey from growing up in Africa, to moving to Connecticut at 13 with a dream of becoming a physican.

When she became saddened as a trauma surgeon taking care of victims of gang violence, she pivoted to breast surgery where she felt she could make a deeper impact.

What an impressive woman and Osteopath!  Don't miss this one!

In today's episode we have the pleasure of speaking to Dr. Anna Levy, D.O.   Dr. Levy is an oncologist who works in the very specialized area of liver related cancers.  Dr. Levy is Medical Director of Hepatobiliary Malignancies and the Hepatic Artery Pump Infusion Program, based at the R.J. Zuckerberg Cancer Center.   

Dr Levy is  is Board certified in Internal Medicine, Hematology, and Medical Oncology.  She is  Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Health Medical School.  

Dr. Levy earned her medical degree at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine followed by an Internal Medicine Residency at the Christiana Care Health System and ultimately completed her fellowship in Medical Oncology and Hematology at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center.

Dr. Levy will delve into the life of an oncologist and the difficulties treating very sick patients.  She will discuss the difficulties of work life balance and how her family and home life allow her to “keep her cup full."  Dr. Levy will discuss the problem of suicide, among physicians specifically among high stress professions such as Hematology/ Oncology.  

Dr. Levy will share her journey which started as an emigre from the Ukraine.  She will tell us about her discovery of Osteopathic Medicine and how she developed a  love for oncology, a difficult and complex specialty.  

Please join us in our discussion with this  remarkable physician. . . a discussion you won’t want to miss!

Direct Primary Care or DPC is a model of medicine that has been around for well over decade. It has become a growing movement of passionate physicians focusing on restoring the physician patient relationship and providing excellent healthcare at an affordable price. It gives patient’s direct access to their doctor, as well as an appropriate amount of time to really address illness and prevent disease. How is this possible you might ask? Well, by limiting the size of the doctor's patient panel, the patient is able to get the time they truly need and deserve. Instead of a panel of 4000 patients being seen in 5-10 minutes intervals, you have 400-600 patients being seen at 30-60 minute intervals. And instead of insurance denials and going through multiple administrative staff, you deal directly with your doctor. You can call, text, video chat, or email your doctor directly. You get same day or next day visits when you need them. It’s healthcare that makes sense. You simply pay a monthly membership fee, which covers your basic care. This also allows the doctor to provide cost savings to you on medications, labs, imaging and other services and procedures that are usually significantly overpriced. No insurance. No copays. Just you and the doc.

This week, we are joined by Dr. Lisa Warren, Dean of Western University of Health Sciences, COMP and COMP-Northwest. Dr. Warren discusses the unique student experiences across the dual campuses and Western U’s commitment to preparing students for future healthcare challenges. She emphasizes the importance of humanism, collaboration, and compassion within the Western U community.


Dr. Warren reflects on her healthcare upbringing and her passion for serving underserved communities. As a former student-athlete, she shares how teamwork influenced her pursuit of osteopathic medicine and the holistic approach to patient care. Tune in to hear how her experiences shape her leadership in guiding future osteopathic physicians.


I’m confident you’ll find Dr. Lisa Warren’s insights inspiring as you navigate your own journey in medicine.

 This week, we are joined by Dr. Ginamarie Papia, a remarkable physician whose journey spans from her studies at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine to her current practice in integrative medicine. With a deep commitment to both traditional and complementary approaches, Ginamarie has seamlessly integrated her passion for patient-centered care with her expertise in osteopathic manipulative therapy. Her story embodies the spirit of resilience and dedication in the medical field. She will begin by sharing her path to becoming an osteopathic physician, highlighting how her values and the philosophy of osteopathic medicine aligned with her career goals. Ginamarie will then discuss her experiences at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, including the hands-on, problem-based learning approach that shaped her education. Finally, she’ll provide insights into her decision-making process for residency and how her journey led her to combine integrative medicine with endocrine practice. Dr. Ginamarie Papia’s experiences offer a unique perspective on blending traditional and integrative medicine. I hope her story motivates and provides you with fresh insights as you continue your own journey in the medical field.

Today, we’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Chris Belland, D.O., a retired Navy flight surgeon and the first osteopathic physician to serve as president of the Aerospace Medical Association. Dr. Belland was recommended by Dr. Hauler and the American Osteopathic association who together are spearheading an effort to educate physicians about patient safety, and foster a culture of transparency and responsibility.  

Dr. Belland graduated from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and has dedicated his career to improving patient safety by drawing on lessons from high-reliability industries like aviation and nuclear power. He shares his unique perspective on how these industries’ structured approaches to risk management, including the ‘Swiss cheese model’ of risk mitigation, can be applied to healthcare to prevent medical errors.

In our conversation, Dr. Belland explains the importance of occupational and preventive medicine, describing the role and responsibilities of physicians with this training. With a background in both aviation and medicine, he’s been on the frontlines of aerospace medicine, having served in combat zones, ensuring the readiness of our nation’s elite aviators, and fostering trust with his osteopathic philosophy of holistic care.

Dr. Belland continues to make waves in aerospace medicine—from advising companies on UV-C technology to reduce disease transmission in aircraft, to collaborating on global initiatives for pandemic response. His journey highlights the incredible impact that osteopathic principles can have, from taking care of aviators in high-stress environments to his leadership in advancing healthcare on a global scale.

Join us as we talk about his extraordinary career, the role of a flight surgeon, the intersection of osteopathic medicine and aerospace, and much more.

This is our third episode in a Series called M and M , or Myths and Misconceptions about Osteopathic Medicine.  Today we will tackle the sentiment that “Osteopathic Manual Medicine is Voodoo.”  Typically this is based on the fact that the scientific evidence behind the modality is limited.  

I want to start by sharing with our listeners that a large percentage of what we do in “conventional medical care” on a daily basis does not have scientific foundation.  That having been said, there is no question that in Western Medicine- what we strive for is evidence to support our practice.  This includes many types of studies ranging from “bench work” in a lab to clinical research on patients.

To tackle the question of is there “evidence” to support OMT, we will speak with Dr. Jordan Keys, DO professor of OMT at NYIT-COM and Dr. Kim Wolf, DO director of Pediatric OMM at  Touro California.  They will speak about their importance of showing the validity of Osteopathic Manipulation and the the others around the world that support their passion.

They will share with us the conference they started this year which they call CORK or the Conference on Osteopathic Research and Knowledge, where they bring together scientist from around the world to share their insights into Evidence Based Osteopathic Care.

We are always excited when listeners reach out to us to share their story.  Today, we're excited to speak with Josh Baker, a DO/PhD student at the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Josh will explain the path that a clinician scientist can take, the importance of scientific research and what Osteopathic Medicine offers that is special in this regard.

Josh shares his journey toward pursuing a dual doctorate degree, beginning with his early research experiences as an undergraduate that sparked his interest in osteopathic medicine. Dr. Baker explains what  t the process of applying to DO/PhD and MD/PhD program looks likeand explains the benefits of obtaining both a DO and a PhD, including diversifying one’s skills and enhancing patient care in medicine. Josh discusses the unique opportunities and diversity of research which led him to choose MSU to complete his dual degree. Additionally, Dr. Baker provides insights into his current neuroimaging research on traumatic brain injury and shares his future career goals in radiology. Join us as we delve into Josh's unique path and explore the intersections of research and clinical practice in osteopathic medicine.

Michael Ayoub was an Osteopathic Medical students with great expectations. . . and then  some difficulty passing a test called the COMLEX created a speed bump.  He didn't Match, he didn't SOAP. . . so what could he do?   

Michael kept his chin up and took a job as a medical assistant with a pain management physician and tried again . . . and again.

Dr. Ayoub never lost hope . . . never blamed anyone for his struggles . . . and continued to try.   In this "episode 4: A New Hope! "  Michael shares with us how he got through dark times in his medical journey and ultimately came out a Jedi!

What a tale!

Today, we’re joined by Dr. Richard Terry, D.O., a family medicine physician and founding dean of Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) Elmira campus, who also holds the title of  Assistant Dean of Regional Clinical Education. Dr. Terry shares how LECOM started the branch campus system and highlights the New York- Elmira campus’s problem-based learning curriculum, which fosters collaboration and prepares students for medical practice. 

Dr. Terry shares insights about the Elmira community and the early hands-on clinical rotations at local hospitals, starting as early as the first year of medical school. He highlights the robust research opportunities available to students, as well as LECOM’s mission to recruit New York State residents with a passion for serving underserved communities. We also discuss the accelerated six-year D.O. program in collaboration with the Elmira College and explore LECOM Elmira’s 100% match rate for 2024, with 52% of graduates matching into New York hospitals. 

Join us as we learn how LECOM Elmira is working to shape the future of osteopathic medicine and preparing students to make a meaningful impact.

Today’s episode is a crossover episode of an interview with Chris fullmer, a plastic surgery resident at Penn State.   To start, our listeners should know that for plastic surgery there are two paths, the traditional which includes application to general surgery followed by a second match into a plastic surgery fellowship and a newer path applying directly to integrated plastic surgery.

Integrated plastics is one of the most competitive matches after medical school with a match rate 20 percentage points lower than the average every year.  Applicants are required to have extraordinary Step Scores, high numbers of research papers and significant volunteer hours in addition to stellar audition rotations.  Chris will discuss his journey starting as a soccer player in college and going on a Mormon Mission before deciding on medical school.  He will discuss his decision to attend osteopathic medical school and how his DO student friend’s father, a renowned plastic surgeon helped to define his path.  He will speak about the trials and tribulations including addiction and balancing his relationship with his wife throughout his quest with achieving his dream.   Ultimately he inadvertently speak about the “secred DO handshake” and how finding a DO attending at Penn State may have ultimately helped him seal his fate.

We would like to thank Curtis Wilkerson Curtis Wilkerson, a rising first year osteopathic student at Michigan state, for the interview.  An unedited version can be found 

on the podcast the physician's mind.

Today, we have a special guest, Dr. Nicholas Elwert, DO, MS, who wears many hats in the field of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R). Dr. Elwert is an Assistant Professor at the University of Kentucky, where he also serves as the Stroke Rehabilitation Program Director and Associate Residency Program Director. With a deep passion for neuro-rehabilitation, and spasticity management, Dr. Elwert brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to today’s conversation.

In this episode, we dive into the world of PM&R, exploring what a typical day looks like for Dr. Elwert, the kinds of patients he sees, and how his work makes a difference in their lives. We also discuss his roles at the University of Kentucky, from teaching residents to shaping the future of the PM&R program. For students interested in pursuing a career in PM&R, Dr. Elwert shares valuable insights on what it takes to match into this specialty, the qualities residency programs look for, and advice on preparing a competitive application.

We also dive into Dr. Elwert’s personal journey through osteopathic medical school at Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, his fellowship in OMM/Anatomy, and how these experiences shaped his career in academic medicine.

We love when amazing Osteopathic Physicians reach out to us to be on the Podcast!  Today we interview Dr. Levy-Gantt,  A board certified OB/GYN who practices in Napa Valley!  She will speak to us about how she manages a solo practice in California and her work as an author.   Dr. Gantt will discuss her journey from physical therapy into medical school and finally a residency in a competitive specialty.   Her story is not for the faint hearted!  She will share her uphill battle to getting a positition in OB starting with a one year spot NO GUARANTEE!  Her story is one of DO Grit which allowed her to manage family and career and obtain success in both her personal and professional life!  Don't miss this one!

On today's episode we interview Dr. Harmit Kalia, the Outreach Director for Northwell Health's liver transplant program and a board certified Gastroenterologist and Transplant Hepatologist- Dr. Kalia will tell us about his journey into medicine and how he decided to attend Osteopathic Medical School.  He will describe how his close relationship with a mentor ignited his love for liver disease and put him on a path for an internal medicine residency, a fellowship in gastroenterology and finally an extra training in Transplant Hepatology.  This D.O. helps patients get a new lease on life by getting them a new liver!

We know you will love this episode!

In today’s episode we're thrilled to have Dr. Bill Admire, a physician whose dedication to both community and professional leadership is truly inspiring. Dr. Admire holds many titles,  including  Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of the Infirmary Health System in Alabama. He  serves as a Core site Medical Director for the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine and is a board member of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama. Dr. Admire has recently taken on the role as the Designated Institutional Official for the Mobile Infirmary Graduate Medical Education Program’s Internal Medicine Residency, further extending his impact on the next generation of medical professionals. He discusses his philosophy on the importance of leadership and volunteerism in medicine.

In today’s interview Dr. Admire shares with us lessons he has learned and his experiences starting as a practicing physician, moving to entrepreneurship by starting and growing a large medical group and maturing into a role as a leader and educator during 30-year career.  Dr Admire will share  his personal philosophy on medicine and  the importance of leadership and volunteerism.  We know you will  love this episode!

  On today's episode we interview Dr. David Shumway, DO.  David was invited to speak at the recommendation of Dr. Jennifer Hauler after a recent presentation to the American Osteopathic Association on Artificial Intelligence and it's importance to the osteopathic community. 

David will give us a definition and history of AI and explain to us it's relevance to modern medicine and his thoughts on the future of the technology.  He will discuss his own path from a military family as the son of a Navy Pilot to his undergraduate education in oregon.  He will speak to us the importance of his Gastroenterology Mentor who sparked his interest in medicine. He will discuss his gap years working in epcot/ disney where he met his wife.  Finally he will tell us about his time at AT Still Arizona, followed by a residency in internal medicine with the HPSP Airforce Scholarship and how his career has come full circle as he prepares to follow in the footsteps of his father through a fellowship in Aerospace Medicine while spending time with his wife's family in Great Brittain.  We hope you learn as much from Captain Shumway as we did!

M&M in medical terms mean Morbidity and Mortality (why did someone get sick or die!).   In this series we are using the term to stand for MYTHS and MISCONCEPTIONS about Osteopathic Medical education in response to posts and   websites which abound   on the internent.  

Today's episode will address the value of an Osteopathic School education.  Specifically we will address the question: is it worth the money to invest in a DO degree and  the mission statement of many Osteopathic Schools . . .  to train primary care docs. Who would we ask to comment on this?  None other than the famous, brilliant  financial wizard . . . . White Coat Investor!

Who is the White Coat Investor? Jim Dahle MD says it's not him . . . its you!  Dr. Dhale has a blog, podcast and courses to teach doctors about finances and money.  Today he will take about investing in an Osteopathic Medical education and answer the question. . . is the Juice worth the Squeeze!  

On todays episode we interview Amanda Martin, DO an orthopedic surgeon  who is practicing in Nashville Tennessee.  Amanda will start her story by telling us about her experience as a sports medicine doctor at the 2024 Olympics  working with the Women's Soccer team which won gold.   Amanda is an amazing woman who puts G-D and family first with Orthopedics as a close second.  She tells us about what it was like growing up with in an Osteopathic Family and her path into a competitive subspecialties.  She will give tips not only on how to survive but how to strive as a woman in Orthopedics.  Finally we will talk about her feelings on Natasha Bray, DO, her sister and  dean at OSU COM and we put Amanda’s  hand to fire by asking her who she would consider more successful. . . a Harvard trained D.O. Dean or a D.O. Sports trained Orthopedic Surgeon!

This is a D.O. not miss episode!

Today, we're thrilled to have Alex Sher, DO, arising first year psychiatry resident and writer for the D.O. who was born and raised in southern florida.  Alex’s story is special as medicine is a second career and he started as an Registered Nurse on a Surgical floor.  Dr. Sherd had a thirst for knowledge and  went back to school at night while working full time to get a degree as a Nurse Practitioner, ultimately working in a family practice and then an Urgent Care Clinic.  With the support of some strong Osteopathic Mentors, Alex picked up his family and moved to Tennessee to attend the Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Alex will discuss with us how  As a non-traditional student with a family, he navigated the challenges of taking the MCAT, returning to college, and applying to medical school. He offers valuable advice to those considering different paths in healthcare. He will explain his pride in Osteopathic Medicine that led him to become active on the DO magazines Editorial advisory board. Join us as we explore Alex's unique story and gain insights into the diverse opportunities within the medical field.

The D.O. philosophy fits perfectly with primary care specialties such as family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics and OB/GYN.  Can a D.O. go into competitive specialties such as Neurosurgery?  YES THEY CAN!

This week, we’re joined by Dr. Xavier P. J. Gaudin, a renowned neurosurgeon known for his expertise in spinal surgeries, endovascular interventions, and deep brain stimulation. His innovative techniques and dedication to patient care have made a significant impact in neurosurgery. 

Dr. Gaudin will share his path into neurosurgery, the challenges of residency, and strategies for success. He’ll also discuss his practice in New York, the hurdles of securing a position in a major city, and his approach to work-life balance. Finally, he will offer advice for aspiring neurosurgeons and insights into how the field is evolving.

Today we interview Dr. Joel Feder in what is one of Dr. Storch's favorite interviews to date.  Dr. Feder retired from Family practice after over 40 years.  He discuses with us his career and passion for osteopathic medicine, family practice and his time in the millitary.  

Most interestingly, Dr. Feder shares with us what he has been doing in his retirement including teaching, taking care of the homeless and going on a medical mission to Vietnam.

After he graduated in 1975 from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences (KCUMB), he did his residency in the Navy at the Naval Regional Medical Center in Philadelphia. He served on active duty in the Navy for three years, and then served in the reserves for 35 years, retiring in 2008 as a Navy captain.

Dr. Feder's passion for family medicine and Osteopathy is viral.  If you were considering this career path but weren't sure. . . Dr. Feder's "retrespectoscope" will remove all doubt!

Today we have a deep conversation with Dr. Richard Riemer about the Touro University Medical Group, which he has helped to create and run.  Dr. Riemer will discuss the importance of strong clinical and post graduate medical opportunities at a medical school and what he is doing to expand these opportunities at Touro-California.

Richard B. Riemer, DO, is a specialist in neurology at Touro University Medical Group.  Dr. Riemer treats all neurologic conditions with an emphasis on neuromusculoskeletal and spine disorders

Dr. Riemer earned his Doctor of Medicine from the AT Still University, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Missouri. He then completed his internship at Tucson General Hospital in Arizona and his residency at the University of California Davis in Sacramento.

Dr. Riemer has been endowed with numerous awards throughout his career, including Outstanding Educator of the Year (UC Davis Neurology), Physician of the Year (Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeon), and Volunteer Faculty (UC Davis).

 We know you will enjoy this episode!

In this weeks episode we hightlight Brian Loveless one of the authors of the DO journal where he discusses important topics such as Osteopathic distinctiveness. In our interview he will discuss not only his role as Associate Professor of NMM/OMM at Western University and his position as Chief Medical Officer at WesternU Health, but   why he thinks it is important to him to keep up his family practice clinical skills by working in Urgent Care.  Dr Loveless is a strong advocate for Osteopathic Medicine and champions the need for DO's to be proud of the profession.

We have no doubt that listening to Dr. Loveless will make you LOVE Osteopathy MORE!  This is one amazing interview you won't want to miss!

 This week we are joined by Dr. Richard Jadick, author of the book “On Call In Hell” which chronicles his time as a physician in the navy, where he was awarded the Bronze Star with “Combat V” device for heroic valor after he saved many lives during the second battle of Fallujah. Dr. Jadick talks about his journey to osteopathic medicine starting with the time where his drive to become a physician was born during a snowy night as a Marine (Yes he was a Marine as well!) Dr. Jadick details his time in the military before, during, and after his medical career and how his Urology program in Augusta held a position for him while he was serving our country. While serving as a physician in the Navy, he went to  the front lines because of his medical belief that every minute following an traumatic injury was crucial to the life of a Marine. We found Dr. Jadick’s story fascinating and we know that you will too!

In today’s we present our first in a series of  myths and misconceptions episode about Osteopathic Medicine.  Why are there so many new DO schools? There are many online comments and on  blogs commenting on the reason why, over the past ten years, so many Osteopathic Schools have opened.  Most of the reasons presented are unfounded and just plain untrue. Dr. Storch was asked this question on a recent interview on the white coat investor and was unable to answer it. . . so we decided to do some digging!

Today we will find the true  answer to this question through an interview Chad Toujague, the director of the Dr. Kiran C Patel Institute for Graduate Medical Education.  The institute has not only supported an Osteopathic school at Nova Southeastern, opened a new Osteopathic School in Orlando, and opened a new MD school in the United States at Nova Southeastern , but are opening international schools in India and Africa as well!  Do you think Chad had a better answer than say. . . a pediatric nephrologist?  Of course he did!  Want to know why so many new DO schools have opened recently and Coca’s response to this phenomenon? Listen closely to today’s interview and learn!  We certainly did!

On today’s episode, we interview Dr. Angela Franklin who is the President and CEO of Des Moines University.  Des Moines University Medical and Health Sciences Division is home of the second osteopathic school to open up in the United States and the 15th largest medical school in the country. The dean, Angela Franklin,  is a licensed clinical psychologist who completed her PhD at Emory University followed by a clinical internship at Grady Memorial Hospital. Our conversation with Dr. Franklin touches on several topics including her roles and responsibilities as President and CEO of DMU as well as the importance of opportunity and preparation for life’s challenges. For our pre-medical listeners, medical students, and members of the medical community, Dr. Franklin shares pearls of wisdom that you won’t want to miss. 

Today's episode is short but powerful!  Hear about the D.O. or DO not road trip to OMED in Orlando!  We had the chance to spend time with the AOA and interview Osteopathic Medical Students from around the country!  Their excitement is infectious!  A special thanks to OnLineMedEd for allowing us to use their booth to conduct our interviews. For those of you not able to attend, we highly recommend a trip to San Antonio,Texas for the meeting next year!

In today’s episode we will share with you an amazing rural family practice physician who represents the pinnacle of what all Osteopathic Physicians should strive to be.  Dr. Mylhan Myers was born in southern Missouri in an “Osteopathic Family” with multiple members who attended A.T. Still University in Kirksville.  Not surprisingly, with this background Dr. Meyers followed in their footsteps and knew early on that he wanted to go into Family Medicine.  Dr. Meyers found a passion for OB/GYN and decided to not only do his residency in Medicine Residency in Wichita, KS, but an OB/GYN fellowship as well.  He ultimately moved back to his hometown to come full circle with his practice.

During the interview, Dr. Myers paints a beautiful picture of his practice which  seamlessly interweaves him into the fabric of community with deep patient relationships relationships in the outpatient clinic and ranging to  inpatient medicine in the hospital as well as the delivery of babies which has always been his passion. He describes his time in military and the perspectives it provided him through his journey. We hope you enjoy this evocative episode.

This week’s episode features two  4th year medical students Madison Salvitti and Ethan Kremer who will share with us their medical experience doing Osteopathic Research in Europe.  The trip was facilitated by Dr. Jordan Keys, the Director of the  Osteopathic Manipulation Center at NYIT-COM  (episode 106).  Madison and Ethan flew to Italy and spent 3 weeks in  Milan and Pescara participating and learning about Osteopathic Research in Italy.  They will share their experiences seeing first hand how the "diplomats of osteopathic medicine" practiced side by side with Conventional MD practitioners to help facilitate the care of neonates and children.  They will explain how DO's in europe differ from those in the US and the things they feel that we can learn from them.  Finally Madison will speak about her path to a competitive surgical residency while Ethan will give advice on the Emergency Medicine match and how to choose the right hospital.  

Check out CORK (the Conference on Osteopathic Research and Knowledge) in New York on June 22-23, 2024!

Dr. Bradley Block is an ENT physician (M.D.) who has a podcast to teach doctors "things they should have been learning while they were studying the Kreb's Cycle."  Dr. Block reached out to us to discuss what Osteopathic Medicine is and what the differences between "Allopathic" or M.D. degrees and "Osteopathic" or D.O. degrees were.  For those of you who are not already familiar with what the D.O. difference is. . . Dr. Block's interview with Dr. Storch's  will help answer many of your questions!

This week we are joined by Bryce Piro, a medical student at VCOM - Carolinas who started his own company while in medical school - CoffeeDocs Co. Bryce gives an inside view of his journey and what prompted his idea to start this company with his roommates. He will discuss the process behind making his idea a reality, including how he got started as a content creator and how he ultimately transformed that into so much more. He will detail some of the procedures he went through in getting started as a LLC and what it took for his company to hit the ground running, as well as the valuable cause behind CoffeeDocs Co. Bryce then details his journey into medicine including how he found his calling and the various stops he took along the way that ultimately landed him at VCOM - Carolinas. 

Lastly, Bryce will discuss what he values most about his experience at VCOM - Carolinas and offers some parting advice for those who aspire to follow a similar path. I hope you enjoy hearing about his story and find it valuable for whatever path you pursue!

This week, we are joined by Dr. Michael Foti, a dedicated physician who serves as a professor at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, bringing his expertise and passion for medical education to the next generation of healthcare professionals. With a recommendation from the esteemed Dr. John Gimpel, Michael brings a wealth of experience as both a practitioner and educator. His journey, much like his passion for mental health advocacy, embodies resilience and compassion. As Michael reflects on his own challenges and triumphs, he echoes a sentiment from his journey: "You should never let where you come from dictate where you go."

He will start by sharing insights into his harrowing experiences as an intern during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, grappling with chaos and loss in the hospital. Then, he opens up about his personal battle with anxiety and depression, shedding light on the stigma surrounding mental health in the medical profession. Finally, Michael shares how he turned his own struggles into a mission to advocate for physician wellness and support medical students in their journey.

I'm confident you'll find Dr. Michael Foti's story both engaging and insightful. May his journey inspire you on your own pursuits.

Dr. Andrea Amalfitano is an osteopathic physician, has a PhD, is a pediatrician, geneticist, educator, patient advocate, virologist, dean . . . and so much more!

In today's episode Dr. Amalfitano discusses his pathway to Osteopathic Medicine,  from an immigrant family and a father who recommended medicine becuase. . . "doctors are never out of work!"  to a pediatric residency at the esteemed "Mayo Clinic," to being a researcher at Duke University and ultimately coming full circle to return to Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine as Dean.

Dr. Amalfitano is well spoken, witty, and may be the smartest D.O. we've had as a guest to date.

Listen to his ideas on Osteopathic Medicine . . . MSU  . . . PhD.  . . clinical medicine and the adenovirus!   He will make you want to go to Osteopathic School AND pursue a PhD!

We are always flattered when we are approached by exemplary physicians who wish to share their story.  On today’s episode we speak with Dr. Stella Rubina a physician who serves as Director of the Palliative Care Medicine Department at Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens. Dr. Rubina earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from Brooklyn College after which she attended NYITCOM for medical school. After considering a career in Orthopedics, Dr. Rubina entered the SOAP  to find a transitional year at St. Peterburg General Hospital in Florida, and subsequently did a  family medicine residency.   Although not her initial intended path, she ultimately found that she could contribute best to her patients through Hospice and Palliative Care medicine. 

In today’s interview, Dr. Rubina shares her deep philosophy and thoughts on the magnitude of end-of-life care. Dr. Rubina reflects on her journey to medicine starting as a young immigrant  woman from russia. She shares how she stayed centered through her unique pathway of medical training which was full of twists and turns. She provides unique  advice on navigating through a career in medicine when things don’t go exactly as planned and tells us how to find fulfilment and success as a physician no matter the circumstance. Enjoy the episode!

 This week we are joined by Dr. Josh Lenchus, who has been featured in the American Osteopathic Association’s “The DO” many times, most recently as the first DO to be elected as the president of the Florida Medical Association. While giving insight to his journey, Dr. Lenchus embodies a quote from the most recent article from “The DO” “You should never let where you come from dictate where you go”.  Dr. Lenchus walks us from the beginning of  his journey as he  started his academic career by attending community college to save money! He will discuss his three years of working as a pharmacist before attending Nova Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine. He discusses the trials and tribulations of his internal medicine residency at the prestigious University of Miami/ Jackson Memorial hospital where he was one of the first DO's at the hosptial. He shares his experience as a hospitalist at Jackson when he graduated and finally gives us amazing pearls of wisdom from his time as a residency director which is invaluable to those applying to residency in any specialty.

Ultimately, Dr. Lenchus discusses his transition into administrative work which led him to be selected as chief medical officer at Broward Health. We hope you enjoy listening to his story and take his philosophy with you on whatever journey you choose to pursue!

In this episode we interview four medical students who have been integral to the podcast over the past year.  Meet Violet, Matt, Ben and Lilly. . . all future Osteopathic Physicians!  Congratulations!  For anyone who wants to hear an uplifting story or who is interested in following in their footsteps. . . . we are so proud of all four of them! (if you're a premed. . . yes this is a pitch to join our team!)

Today we interview Dr. Adrian Woolley who is the current Director of Osteopathic Clinical Medicine at Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine (DMUCOM) . Dr. Wooley received her medical education from DMUCOM and completed her medical residency in Family Practice and OMM at the Des Moines General Osteopathic Hospital. Today she shares with us her nontraditional journey in medicine which began as a forensic technician before starting medical school. She talks to us about the many responsibilities of working in academic medicine and how her passions for osteopathic medicine stretch outside of the classroom through her ongoing involvement in the Fascial Net Plastination Project (FNPP).  Dr. Woolley shares unique pearls of wisdom and we know you will love this episode! 

How flattering it is when amazing Osteopathic Physicians call US to be on the podcast!  In today’s episode, we welcome Dr. Mary S. Doellman, a board-certified otolaryngologist and allergy physician (ENT) with Phelps Health in Rolla, MO. As an active duty physician, she served as chief otolaryngologist in Fort Leonard Wood, MO, and as a staff otolaryngologist at Fort Carson in Colorado.

Dr. Doellman speaks not only about her passion for fungi, but gives us a detailed window into a specialty unique for its blend of surgery, medicine, complex pathology, and longitudinal care. She  covers the topic of her rural and military upbringing and how this guided her path into similar circumstances in her professional career.  She  gives pertinent advice to female osteopathic physicians on how to succeed as a woman in medicine, specifically in a competitive surgical specialty.   The interview highlights Dr. Doellman as  a strong example of how dedication and persistance can allow an individual to carve a path straight through the heart of medicine to acheive their dreams. We know you find her as inspiring as we did!

 Today’s guest speaker is Dr. Vania Manipod. Dr. Manipod is a board-certified psychiatrist and graduate of Western University of Health sciences in Pamona California.  She is the editor-in-chief of the DO,  an amazing publication produced by practicing DOs  and osteopathic students which contains artilcles written about medical school, government advocacy, and life outside medicine.   It is amazing publication which if you are not familiar with, you definitely should check out!  We speak to Dr. Manipod about her role as editor of the journal, her practice of psychiatry and  the intricate world of psychiatric care.  She shares insight with us about her own training journey, addressing the pressing issue of burnout as well as her experience in advocacy and entrepreneurship.  This episode i a D.O. not miss!  

You can find "The D.O." at:
https://thedo.osteopathic.org/

In today's episode, we tackle the question of . . .  interested in primary care. . . should you do family practice or internal medicine?  and what are the differences?   To answer this question we called on Dr. Jill Sisselman, a board certified family practice doctor and her husband,   Dr. Stephen who did a residency in internal medicine. The couple attended medical school at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) after which they both chose residencies in primary care. . . but along different specialties!  After an unhappy experience with their first jobs, they decided to start their own  private practice! The Doctors Sisselman will both describe their  journey to Osteopathic Medicine, the trials and tribulations of a two doctor relationship, their experience with the couples match as well as give advice on how to rank  residencies as a couple looking at different specialties.  The Sisselmans share with us what their day to day lives look like and how they have made it possible to raise a family while running a successful business. We know you will enjoy this episode as much as we did!

In today’s episode, we are joined by Dr. Robert Hasty, Dean and Chief Academic Officer of OCOM.   This is a new osteopathic medical school which is opening it's doors in August 2024, in Orlando, FL. Dr. Hasty speaks about what the school will offer including  state of the art facilities, unique features of the curriculum and the incredible teaching staff at OCOM. He talks about the pros and cons of attending a "new school" and what the school is looking for from its inaugural class.  He also shares with us his journey through osteopathic medical school at Nova Southeastern and completing IM residency at Mt. Sinai in Miami, FL. Dr. Hasty’s many administrative experiences include starting osteopathic medical schools like such as Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine in North Carolina and serving on various boards and seving as President of the American College of Osteopathic Internists. Dr. Hasty describes his inspiration for attending osteopathic medical school and  offers evidence based advice to stay happy in life.  We hope you enjoy this informative and truly motivational episode!

On today’s episode of DO or Do Not, we sit down with Dr. Alan Yee. an associate clinical professor and neurology associate program director at the UC Davis Medical Center. Dr. Yee is a fellowship-trained critical care neurologist with clinical interests in osteopathic manipulative medicine and stroke recovery. Our conversation with Dr. Yee covers a broad span of topics from his medical journey to applying manual medicine in neurology along with his work studying the relationship between somatic dysfunction and stroke patient survivorship. To all our listeners, Dr. Yee gives us an exciting look at how osteopathic medicine can apply to clinical practice and academic research through a neurologic scope. You won’t want to miss this episode! 

Today's episode is a "Crossover Episode."   The Short Coat Podcast is produced by students at the University of Iowa Carver School of Medicine.    The podcast features a group of medical students who discuss different medical topics.  Three years ago, Dr. Storch listened to an episode where Osteopathic Medicine was discussed and felt that there were some inconsistencies.   He reached out to the group and they were happy to host him with a few of his "student friends" to "set the record straight!"  The episode is amazing and really speaks to what MD students know and don't know about the DO degree.  The episode features Dr. Amir Khiabani, from the Alabama College of Ostepathic Medicine who is now an ER resident in Tampa as well as Dr. Courtney Merlot, from the Michigan College of Osteopathic Medicine who is currently an ER resident in Michigan.  

In  this episode, Matthew Kaplan, our very own Social Media Director, tries on a "different hat" as he  interviews Steven Toplan , Director of Admissions at TouroCOM's Harlem Campus.   Matt is applying to Osteopathic Medical School this year and is the perfect person to  ask pertinent questions  not only about academics, but extracurricular activities and what Harlem is like for students.  The episode covers everything from the campus' history to what the school is looking for when choosing it's entering class. The interview  is a pre-med "don't miss" for any student applying to DO school this cycle!

In today’s episode we are joined by  Dr. John Kelly, a general anesthesiologist practicing out of Port Washington, New York. Prior to attending New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Kelly worked as a chemical engineer for five years. Dr Kelly will discuss the transition from a career in engineering to medicine, as well as what inspired him to do so. Dr. Kelly describes not only his non-traditional pathway to medicine, but what had drawn him to the field of anesthesia. He describes how he chose Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City, a large M.D. institution, where  he was chosen  Chief Resident his third year. Finally, he speaks about his transition from residency to becoming an attending, and what he thinks it takes to become a successful clinician. We know you will find the episode inspiring as I have.  

In today's episode, we are excited to be joined by the dean of Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Tami Hendriksz, a true "D.O. Rockstar!" Dr. Hendriksz will shed light  on what makes Touro California stand out as an academic institution, as well as what  students can expect form four years in Vallejo, California. Dr. Hendriksz shares her unique journey , from taking time off from the medical field to care to care for her sister in a time of need, to finding a passion not just for medicine, but for  osteopathy  and finally coming full circle by becoming dean of an osteopathic medical school! We know you will love this inspiring episode!

 In this episode we had the  pleasure of interviewing Dr. Matthew Shatzer. Dr. Shatzer discusses the specialty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, also known as PM&R, and why it is the perfect match for an Osteopathic Physician.  Dr. Shatzer served as program director for Northwell Health for over 10 years and helps us understand what  programs look for in prospective residents as well as  the role of personal statement in an application. He will describe his own journey to PM&R including his time at the prestigious Johns Hopkins in Baltimore.  His "pearls" will help anyone interested in a career in osteopathic medicine, PM&R or applying for any medical or surgical specialty who is working on their applications.

In today's episode, we are joined by Dr. Jordan Keys, Professor Of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine at the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine. In this episode, Dr. Keys describes what Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine is and  what types of medical problems can be treated with the modality.  She discusses why manual techniques are important and how they make Osteopathic Medicine  distinct. Dr. Keys will discuss her "origin story," growing up in a small town in California and why she eventually moved to New York to pursue her medical training. Dr. Keys explains  how she became interested in Osteopathic Manipulative therapy and why she chose to pursue a residency in Family Medicine for three years before going  into a neuromuscular medicine fellowship instead of going directly into the program. She will tell us about the Osteopathic Schools she has taught at from Touro in California to Lake Erie in Florida and finally to her current home in New York.  We know you will find Dr. Keys' journey inspiring. 

This is a "book-ends" episode where we interview Dr. Renee Darko.  Remember a few months ago we interviewed her husband, "Dr. Nii" but there is no question that "Dr. Renee" deserves her own spotlight!

On this episode of the D.O. or Do Not Podcast, we meet Dr. Renee Darko who as she states wears “ a lot of different hats”. In this episode Dr. Darko tells her inspiring journey to become an OBGYN. She attended Pace University and Hunter College for her undergraduate training followed by the  Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine and Rockhurst University with a dual D.O/ MBA degree. She completed her OB/GYN residency at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and went on to the Morehouse School of Medicine where she did a fellowship in Health Policy Leadership. 

Dr. Darko is the mother of two children and works as a part time/ locum OBGYN.  She will tell us about how she accomplices these two herculean tasks.   She talks about the difficulty having a long distance relationship in residency.  She speaks about how to persevere when people tell you "you can't."  She talks about her podcast, her mentorship of minority students, her children's book and MUCH MUCH more!
A don't miss!

In today's episode of the D.O. or Do Not, we are joined by Mr. Austin Gentry, Associate Director of Admissions at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Mr. Gentry speaks about the medical school application process and what pre-medical students should be doing to optimize their application. He discusses what makes Burrell special and what his team is looking for in students entering a first year medical school class. We know that all premeds,  especially those already considering Burell will   find this episode informative and valuable. We hope you enjoy this episode. 

Sayeed and Wali are two pre-medical students at Stony Brook who started a Podcast called "Chai With the Pre-Med Guys." The duo reached out to Dr. Storch to speak with them as Mentor of the D.O. or Do Not podcast and advocate for Osteopathic Medicine. On today's "crossover" episode. Sayeed and Wali will speak with Dr. Storch about his "Why."  The Pre-Med Guys define this as  the reason one chooses medicine. You may be surprised at Dr. Storch's response!  Dr. Storch talks about Osteopathy and Medicine, but also about poetry, the benefits of falling asleep against attending physician's doors on holidays and how the journeys of Odysseus can give you insight into your own medical journey!  We know you will love listening to our very own Yoda!  D.O. or do not . . . There is no try!

In today’s episode we are joined by Dr. Patricia Matto who is currently serving as the Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs at Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM). She gives advice for pre-med students on the application process, what VCOM has to offer and what they can expect as students, specifically during clinical rotations. She continues on to tell us her journey and inspirations in pursuing osteopathic medicine beginning from her undergraduate studies at Gannon University in Erie, PA to being a part of the inaugural class of Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM). Dr. Matto also explains her decision to work in academic medicine and leaves us with her philosophies on practicing medicine with great advice on how to be successful in a career as an osteopathic physician. We hope you enjoy this episode.

Today we will follow the story of Dr. Austin Price. Dr. Price is a 3rd year combined vascular surgery/surgical resident at the University of Arkansas. Dr. Price wanted to be a doctor since he was in high school and started his journey by practicing as a certified nursing assistant at a nursing home for 5 1/2 yeas in Pennsylvania. He then went on to Nova Southeastern University for both undergraduate as well as medical school. During his training, he discovered a passion for vascular surgery and pursued a program which allowed him to match directly into the field without having to first complete a general surgery residency. Dr. Price discusses his path to becoming a surgeon as well as his "buissnes"which helps medical students in their pre-clinical studies. We hope you enjoy this episode. 

We are proud to reach a milestone of 100 episodes.  We would like to thank all of our listeners for accompanying us on this journey.  We would lake to thank everyone who has participated and helped us along the way!  

Today we interview just a few of the DO students who have participated in the project and helped to make it what it is today:

Dr. Ian Storch- Gastroenterology - D.O. or Do Not Mentor.

Dr. Tian Yu She: Internal Medicine Resident- Chief Resident- Year 1 Co-founder
Dr. Amir Khiabani- Emergency Medicine Resident - Year 2  Producer
Dr. Tiffany Carlson- Military Residency/ Anesthesia - Year 2  Host
Dr.  Courtney Merlo - Emergency Med Resident- Year 2  Social Media Director
Dr.  Akito  Nicol- Radiology Resident - Year 3  Host
Hadia Tariq, MS III - Year 3/ 4  Host 

No question. . . D.O. or Do not Rockstars!

Today we interview Mathew Sison, a second year medical Student at the NYIT college of Osteopathic Medicine Old Westbury Campus.   Before enrolling in medical school Matthew completed his undergraduate at Cornell University and did clinical research at the Mount Sinai Hospital Ican School of Medicine within the Department of Anesthesiology.. While at NYIT-Com, Matthew has continued his research efforts at Mount Sinai as well as on campus at NYIT and at the University of Rochester.  Mathew has been distinguished with multiple  scientific research Awards including the NYCOM Student Researcher of the year award and the National SOMA Research Spotlight Award.  He has also won and placed at several national conferences including AOCA VAPOR  and Soma.   In this episode Matthew discusses his experiences and the role research has played in his medical journey so far.

On this episode of the DO or do not podcast, we have Dr. John Graneto, dean of the college of osteopathic medicine at California Health Sciences University, or CHSU. Dr. Graneto also serves as the chief academic officer, vice president of health affairs, and professor at CHSU-COM. Previously, he served as associate dean and professor of pediatrics and emergency medicine at the Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Granto received his osteopathic medical education at Ohio University and received his masters of education in health at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Graneto specializes in both emergency medicine and pediatrics. In this episode, we dive deep into Dr. Graneto’s medical journey and the factors that brought him to ultimately pursue a career in academic medicine. He also highlights the challenges of emergency medicine and pediatrics and the unique perspectives he has obtained because of his osteopathic background and training. Finally, he reveals his unique superpower, which he believes makes him successful as a physician. We hope you enjoy this episode.    

Today, we will be interviewing Dr. Amir Khiabani, a first year resident in the University of South Florida emergency medicine residency program at Tampa General Hospital.  Amir joined the DO or Do Not Podcast team during the second year and was the second  producer. Having worked as a chemist and teacher  before attending the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, Amir has had a decidedly non-traditional path to becoming a physician. We discuss his path to medicine, the challenges he overcame along the way, and  his involvement in the  podcast. We know that Amir’s story will prove both insightful and motivational to the pre-meds and medical students in the audience. Without further ado, here is Dr Amir Khiabani.

 On this episode we are thrilled to interview Dr. Nii Darko also known on his podcast “Docs Outside the Box” as Dr. Nii.  He will tell us about why he started podcasting as well as how he chose the specialty of Trauma Surgery.  He will explain what Locum Tenens work is and why he feels it fits his life and goals.   Dr. Darko will discuss his journey from Lehigh University  to Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine  and how he persevered in obtaining a general surgery residency at Morehouse followed by a prestigious Trauma Fellowship at the Ryder Trauma Center at the University of Miami.  Dr. Nii speaks about  his pride in being an osteopathic physician and how seriously he takes  being a role model to  minority pre-medical students and physicians.  We Know you will enjoy this episode.

On today’s episode we interview Dr. Bernadette Riley, the current director of New York Institute of Technology's Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)/Hypermobility Treatment Center and an associate professor of Family Medicine. For those of you that don’t know EDS is a a group of rare inherited conditions that affect connective tissue.  Dr. Riley cares for these special patients and helps coordinate their care in a multidisciplinary approach

On today’s episode Dr. Riley will share with us her unique journey in medicine  starting her post doctorate training as an ENT resident and finding out that this was not the correct path for her. She will discuss how she pivoted into family practice and ultimately academic medicine.

Outside of clinical medicine, Dr. Riley will discuss her passion for organized medicine. Such as her role on the Executive Committee for the Nassau County Medical Society (NCMS) as well as her role in the AOA House of Delegates. 

Dr. Riley has made many personal sacrifices to get to her current position today and she will share the challenges and joys of her journey.  We hope you enjoy this episode. 

In today's episode we focus on  Women in Osteopathic Medicine.  We have the honor of interviewing Dr. Thomas Quinn the author of "The Feminine Touch: History of Women in Osteopathic Medicine". Dr. Quinn is military and family practice physician who transitioned from clinical practice into academic medicine teaching at the Lake Erie college of osteopathic medicine branch campus in Florida. During a “pilgrimage” to the Kirksville museum of Osteopathic Medicine, he extensively researched and wrote a definitive book entitled, “ The feminine touch: women in osteopathic medicine,” which later was made into an Emmy award winning PBS documentary. Dr. Quinn describes the importance that AT Still placed on training women whit at the  time  was far from the norm. Dr. Quinn  highlights the contributions that prominent female physicians such as Margaret Wilson, Barbara Ross Lee, and Karen Nichols have made to osteopathy. We hope you enjoy this episode and would suggest if you have not heard some of our prior episodes highlighting these amazing women or the PBS special, "the Femine Touch" we urge you to you take the time to do so!

The special can be found at
https://www.pbs.org/video/the-feminine-touch-documentary-poirx0/”

Dr. Tyler Cymet, D.O is an internal medicine physician in Baltimore, Maryland who has had an amazing and diverse career both in clinical practice and organized medicine. We were excited when Dr. Cymet reached out to us to be a guest on our podcast!  Dr. Cymet did his undergraduate studies at Emory University and continued his medical education at Nova Southeastern University. He  pursued a Research fellowship at Chicago college of osteopathic medicine and completed an internal medicine residency at Yale university.  He continued his journey in Academics at Sinai/ Hopkins for 18 years. Dr Cymet worked for AACOM (the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine) for 14 years to improve education  and curriculum for Osteopathic medical schools. While at AACOM Dr Cymet  started a program called NAOME which helped to advance and develop D.O leaders and educators. Dr. Cymet is currently focusing his efforts on developing a college of osteopathic medicine in Maryland for underserved minorities. He is helping other DO “legends” such as Dr. Barbara Ross-Lee to create an osteopathic school to train diverse physicians and to help promote population health.
We hope you enjoy this episode. 

Dr. Robert Cain is the current president and CEO of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, also known as AACOM. Every osteopathic student has communicated with AACOM directly or indirectly  as the organization that supports the 37 accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine in the United States.

Dr. Cain is a pulmonologist who graduated from Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine.  Dr. Cain started his career as the director of medical education at Grandview Hospital in Dayton, Ohio.  Dr. Cain  subsequently served as the associate dean for Clinical Education at the Ohio COM, where he oversaw business development and relationship management for clinical experiences associated with undergraduate and graduate medical education. 

Dr. Cain is interviewed by Ben Berg, one of the pre-medical students on our team to get more information on what students applying to Osteopathaic School should understand about the organization and the process

We hope you enjoy this interview.

On this episode of the DO or Do Not podcast, we interview Sandra Snyder, DO. Dr. Snyder is the Program Director of the Family Medicine residency program at the Cleveland Clinic. It is with pride that we speak with Dr. Snyder, an Osteopathic Physician who leads a program at one of the most prestigious institutions in the country. For those of you who are not familiar with the Cleveland Clinic, read this blurb from their website:
Cleveland Clinic was at the forefront of modern medicine when its founders
opened it as a multi-specialty group practice in 1921. In its first century,
Cleveland Clinic has introduced many medical firsts, opened facilities around the
world, and is proud to be ranked among the top hospitals in the country. Now, 100
years later, the vision of the founders remains Cleveland Clinic’s mission: caring
for life, researching for health, and educating those who serve. 
This episode mostly focuses on the field of family medicine from the unique perspective of a residency director. Dr. Snyder will talk about the residents that come to the Cleveland Clinic to train with her and provide further insights for medical students interested in such a program. Dr. Snyder will discuss why both osteopathic and allopathic students should care about the future of family medicine. We hope you enjoy this episode!

Today’s episode features Noshir Amaria D.O. Dr. Amaria is currently one of the team physicians for the Wolverine football team at the University of Michigan, a division 1 school as well as a member of the Big 10.  Dr. Amaria will discuss his discovery of sports medicine in high school, which led him to become an athletic trainer. He will tell us how meeting a small group of inspiring osteopathic physicians during college at Michigan State University made him decide that he wanted to pursue a D.O. degree. He will share his hardships in medical school, such as his struggles in the pre-clinical years. Dr. Amaria will tell us why he chose not only to do a traditional internship, a family medicine residency, and a sports medicine fellowship, but also why he spent an extra year of training mastering osteopathic manipulative techniques. We know you will be inspired by Dr. Amaria’s love for sports medicine, family practice, osteopathic medicine, as well as the University of Michigan Athletic Program. We would like to thank Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine for the amazing recommendation.

In April of 2022 the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic medicine or AACOM graciously invited the D.O. or do not podcast to attend their national meeting, “Educating Leaders” conference in Denver, Colorado. Our two producers, Lerone Cark, MS-II at the New York Institute of technology college of osteopathic medicine and Brooke Pillegi, MS-II at the Alabama college of osteopathic medicine, as well as Ben Berg, our pre-medical student liaison, attended the conference to continue our mission of promoting awareness of osteopathic medicine by interviewing leaders in the field.

We would like to thank Dr. Robert Cain, president of AACOM, Joseph Shapiro, director of media relations and Helene Cameron, Vice president of medical education services for having us at the conference and supporting the podcast. We had an amazing experience and would recommend the conference for any medical or pre-medical students interested in learning more about the inner workings of osteopathic medicine and osteopathic medical education.

On this episode of D.O. or Do Not, we have Dr. Jeremy Ginoza, a family medicine physician and Attending at Skagit Regional Health Family Medicine Residency. In this episode, Dr. Ginoza shares his non-traditional path to medical school and his love for rural primary care. He dives into his own professional journey, beginning as the son of a minister, discussing the challenges and obstacles he’s faced along the way. He offers advice for future medical graduates who may be interested in applying to his program and shares his wisdom on how to navigate and prevail in the face of such a rigorous profession, finishing the interview with one of his original poems. Like his journey into medicine, this is a “non-traditional interview” that you will not want to miss.

Recommended Reading: The Social Transformation of American Medicine by Paul Starr

The Seed by Dr. Jeremy Ginoza

One day I planted a seed.

In a pot one day, I planted a seed.

Every morning I woke and I watered my seed,

and I waited and watched for my seed to sprout.

But I did not see my seed ever sprout.

Still every morning, I watched for my seed to sprout.

Then one day I woke, and I watered - a bud.

And every morning I waited and watched.

I waited and watched for my bud to blossom.

I did not see my bud ever blossom,

but I waited and watched for my bud to blossom.

Then one day I woke and I watered - a flower.

And every morning I waited and watched.

I waited and watched for my flower to fade.

I did not see my flower ever fade,

but I waited and watched for my flower to fade.

Then one day I woke and my flower I forgot.

I did not wait and I did not watch,

and I did not water my flower.

Then one day I woke and I watered - a pot.

And every morning I waited and watched.

I waited and watched for my pot to.....

and it was then that I remembered my seed.

And so then I went out to find a new seed,

and in my pot I planted the seed.

And every morning I wake and I water my seed.

Every morning I wake,

watching and waiting for my seed to sprout.

Dr. Tala Kassm D.O. is a board-certified Ophthalmologist who specializes in the treatment of glaucoma and cataracts. She received her medical education from A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona, completed residency at the University of Louisville in Kentucky followed by a glaucoma fellowship at the Storm Eye Institute Medical University of South Carolina. She currently practices at the MUSC Medical Center in Charleston, South Carolina. Dr. Kassam speaks with us about her journey, how she has balanced her career and parenting responsibilities as well as her new-found passion for helping other physicians as a life coach deal with important problems such as physician burnout. we hope you enjoy this episode.

Dr. Adam Goodcoff is a third-year emergency medicine resident at the University of Illinois in Chicago. He graduated from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and started "The Med Life" with co-founder and CCO, Josh Opitz, with the intention to bring medicine and social media together through a blend of education and entertainment. Dr. Goodcoff posts amusing and educational reels that explain a multitude of medical diagnoses and procedures into digestible pieces of knowledge and he has over 2 Million Followers across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube! He has been featured on many major news networks including CNET, US & World News, Yahoo Business, Fox News, Newsweek, NBC, and more. In today's interview, we will discuss his journey through medicine as an osteopath and why he was inspired to pursue a career in medicine and social media. We hope you enjoy the podcast!

The D.O. or Do Not podcast had the significant honor to be invited to the OMED conference in October. This is the largest gathering of osteopathic physicians, students, and advocates in the nation! Our team had the privilege to conduct several mini-interviews with students during this action-packed weekend and we have patched them together in this episode for our listeners to enjoy! It is a little bit different than our usual episodes, but we hope you enjoy something new. 

Today on the DO or Do Not podcast, we have Dr. Margaret Wilson, Dean of ATSU Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. ATSU is the oldest/founding osteopathic school and is located in Kirksville, Missouri. We first interviewed Dr. Wilson 2 years ago on episode 21 and are excited to have her back on the podcast. Today’s episode is focused on the pre-medical perspective. We will discuss with Dr. Wilson topics such as what makes a great osteopathic school candidate. She will talk about non-traditional applicants and answer questions such as “is it ever too late to apply to medical school.” She will talk about what makes her school special and why students should consider ATSU-KCOM. Finally, she discusses why many pre-medical students do not know about opportunities in osteopathic medicine and what DOs can do to improve understanding of the profession. 

Especially for new medical school applicants, understanding the field of osteopathic medicine and the DO degree can be difficult due to ongoing challenges in public awareness. In this podcast, we take a clinical direction with our questions for Dr. Wilson to shed light on these topics. Dr. Wilson discusses some of the current challenges in bringing public awareness to the DO profession along with her personal experiences that have shaped her as an educator and an osteopathic physician. In this podcast, she will provide illumination to the audience on the DO profession for the general public and interested premeds who want to join the DO community. We hope you enjoy this episode.

Dr. Manish Sharma is a graduate of the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency in emergency medicine. He is an associate professor at the Cornell Weill School of Medicine and currently serves as the chairman of emergency medicine at New York Presbyterian Queens. He holds an MBA and has extensive leadership experience. He has a long history as a successful educator and believes in collaboration as a foundation for delivering high-quality compassionate medical care. We hope you enjoy this episode.

On this episode of the D.O. or Do Not Podcast, we interview Dr. Laura Wolfe a non-invasive cardiologist and mother of 2. Dr. Wolfe attended medical school at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic medicine, completed her internal medicine residency at NYU-Winthrop Hospital, and continued to pursue a fellowship in cardiovascular disease at that institution. She currently works with a large group practice affiliated with Stony Brook University Hospital. On today’s interview, Dr. Wolfe will share her medical journey, how she navigated and excelled as a D.O. in a predominantly M.D. residency, and how she has excelled as a female physician in a male dominated sub-specialty. Dr. Wolfe will also reflect on her relationship with her late aunt and role model Dr. Natalie Assalone whose story was featured in episode #75 during the interview with Dr. Philip Nizza. 

In April of 2022, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) graciously invited the D.O. or Do Not Podcast to attend their national meeting, the “Educating Leaders” conference, in Denver, Colorado. Our two producers, Lerone Cark, MS-II at the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Brooke Pillegi, MS-II at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, as well as Ben Berg, our premedical student liaison, attended the conference to continue our mission of promoting awareness of osteopathic medicine by interviewing leaders in the field.

We would like to thank Dr. Robert Cain, president of AACOM, Joseph Shapiro, director of media relations, and Helene Cameron, vice president of medical education services for having us at the conference and supporting the podcast. We had an amazing experience and would recommend the conference to any medical or premedical students interested in learning more about the inner workings of osteopathic medicine and osteopathic medical education.

Today on the D.O. or Do Not podcast, we have Dr. Sharon Gustowski, the chair of the Department of Osteopathic Principles and Practices (OPP) at Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. For those unfamiliar, D.O.’s treatment modalities are similar to our M.D. counterparts, with OPP being one of the main factors that makes osteopathic physicians unique by giving us another “tool in the tool belt” with hands-on musculoskeletal treatment.

In this episode, Dr. Gustowski discusses both her clinical practice, which focuses on manual therapy for children, as well as her role as a professor of OPP in Texas. She will further share her views on how new osteopathic students engage with the philosophies and techniques of osteopathic manipulative medicine, and why these techniques and philosophies bring value to all osteopathic students, regardless of what specialty they pursue.

Today on D.O. or Do Not, we interview Dr. Matthew Mené. After our discussion with professional comedian David Siegel in episode 66, we thought it would be interesting to speak with a D.O. urologist about what “really goes on” with a physician when a male has issues with infertility. Dr. Mené will speak about his journey into osteopathic medicine starting with a seven-year program, how he became interested in urology, and how hard work and dedication earned him the opportunity to train in Philadelphia in a competitive surgical subspecialty. He will comment on the ACGME merger and how it has made obtaining a urology residency more difficult for D.O. students. For medical students and residents interested in osteopathic school and urology residency, we would recommend more research into this; although Dr. Mené's comments may be true, we do not have data to support or refute them. 

Joining us today in this episode of D.O. or Do Not is Dr. Natasha Bray, Interim Dean at the Oklahoma State University College of Medicine (OSUCOM) at the Cherokee Nation in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Dr. Bray earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from OSUCOM and completed her internship as a chief intern physician at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She then went on to complete her internal medicine residency at Cambridge Health Alliance, a Harvard-affiliated teaching hospital. Board-certified in internal medicine and addiction medicine, Dr. Bray has dedicated herself and her career to using medical education as a means to serve the most vulnerable of populations. In this episode, Dr. Bray delves into OSUCOM's background and discusses the unique aspects of the school, including its status as the only tribally affiliated medical school in the nation.

In April of 2022, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) graciously invited the D.O. or Do Not Podcast to attend their national meeting, the “Educating Leaders” conference, in Denver, Colorado. Our two producers, Lerone Cark, MS-II at the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Brooke Pillegi, MS-II at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, as well as Ben Berg, our premedical student liaison, attended the conference to continue our mission of promoting awareness of osteopathic medicine by interviewing leaders in the field.

We would like to thank Dr. Robert Cain, president of AACOM, Joseph Shapiro, director of media relations, and Helene Cameron, vice president of medical education services for having us at the conference and supporting the podcast. We had an amazing experience and would recommend the conference to any medical or pre-medical students interested in learning more about the inner workings of osteopathic medicine and osteopathic medical education.

In this episode of D.O. or Do Not, we have Dr. Joel Dickerman, the current dean of the newly established Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine, the first osteopathic school in Kansas. Dr. Dickerman will discuss the new campus in the city of Wichita and what makes the school special, including innovations in education, a virtual anatomy lab, and a team-based approach to learning. He discusses some of the benefits to students looking for population management and in-person experiences that they may not get elsewhere. He explains the pros of attending a new school and helping to shape the future of the educational experience. He also talks about the diverse clinical opportunities that are open to students while in Kansas. Dr. Dickerman shares his unique journey and how being treated by an osteopathic physician while in high school changed his trajectory from becoming a teacher to an osteopathic physician and finally coming full circle as a dean of an osteopathic medical school. 

Welcome to the D.O. or DO Not Podcast. My name is Ben Berg, a “nontraditional" premedical student who graduated from Albany University and is now doing postgraduate work at Hunter College in New York to get ready to apply to osteopathic schools for the 2023 application cycle. I was lucky enough to attend AACOMs “Educating Leaders 2022” conference in Denver, Colorado.  Attending the conference afforded me an incredible week of lectures and networking. It was a great experience that I would recommend to any premedical student. Attending the conference as a representative of the podcast provided me with an incredible opportunity to be surrounded by great osteopathic physicians as well as administrators. Speaking for myself, this experience truly affirmed my desire to become an osteopathic physician.

In this episode of D.O. or Do Not, we have Janette Martin, M.Ed., Director of Admissions at Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM). She gives some insight as to what makes ICOM special, including its wide range of clinical sites spreading across Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, and New York. For our premedical audience, Dr. Martin gives helpful advice regarding applying to medical schools and how to help your application stand out to admission committees. She touches on personal statements, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, prerequisite courses, as well as advice for nontraditional applicants.

In April of 2022, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) graciously invited the D.O. or Do Not Podcast to attend their national meeting, the “Educating Leaders” conference, in Denver, Colorado. Our two producers, Lerone Cark, MS-II at the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Brooke Pillegi, MS-II at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, as well as Ben Berg, our premedical student liaison, attended the conference to continue our mission of promoting awareness of osteopathic medicine by interviewing leaders in the field.

We would like to thank Dr. Robert Cain, president of AACOM, Joseph Shapiro, director of media relations, and Helene Cameron, vice president of medical education services for having us at the conference and supporting the podcast. We had an amazing experience and would recommend the conference to any medical or pre-medical students interested in learning more about the inner workings of osteopathic medicine and osteopathic medical education.

In today's episode, we talk with Dr. Laurie Curtin, the chief research and policy officer of the NRMP. Dr. Curtin received her Ph.D. in developmental psychology from the University of Houston. With over 10 years of experience at the NRMP, Dr. Curtin has helped to usher in some of the most substantial changes made to the match process, including the recent unification of D.O. and M.D. matches. In this episode, Dr. Curtin provides listeners, both premedical and medical students, with valuable information about navigating the match and what to expect during the culmination of a medical student's education. We are extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to interview her and hope you enjoy this episode.

In April of 2022, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) graciously invited the D.O. or Do Not Podcast to attend their national meeting, the “Educating Leaders” conference, in Denver, Colorado. Our two producers, Lerone Cark, MS-II at the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Brooke Pillegi, MS-II at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, as well as Ben Berg, our premedical student liaison, attended the conference to continue our mission of promoting awareness of osteopathic medicine by interviewing leaders in the field.

We would like to thank Dr. Robert Cain, president of AACOM, Joseph Shapiro, director of media relations, and Helene Cameron, vice president of medical education services for having us at the conference and supporting the podcast. We had an amazing experience and would recommend the conference to any medical or pre-medical students interested in learning more about the inner workings of osteopathic medicine and osteopathic medical education.

In today's episode, we talk with Dr. Sami Nandyal, a recent medical school graduate from Ohio University at Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine in Athens, Ohio. She won Student Doctor of the Year this year at the AACOM conference and is currently preparing to start her family medicine residency at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Nandyal talks about her experiences in medical school and why she has such a strong passion for family medicine, her experience with board exams, and her involvement with her community. She also gives great information and advice to medical students and premedical students alike. We hope you enjoy this episode. 

In today’s episode, we interview Dr. Philip Nizza, D.O., a board-certified infectious disease physician. Dr. Nizza went to medical school at NYITCOM, followed by a three-year internal medicine residency at North Shore University Hospital and ultimately a two-year infectious disease fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York, arguably the most prestigious cancer center in the world. Dr. Nizza discusses with us his responsibilities as an ID physician as well as how his D.O. degree shaped his experience and perspective on medicine and patient care.

Dr. Nizza goes on to share with us how he met his wife, Dr. Natalie Assalone, during medical school at NYITCOM and how they built their life together through residency and raising children in a “two-physician household.” He ultimately relates Natalie’s battle with a rare type of cancer and her tragic death. He touches on the unique experience of love and loss made more difficult through the lens of a skilled physician.

This episode touches on heavy topics and difficult experiences that many of us do not expect to encounter in our lives. However, Dr. Nizza’s story is an inspiring one and teaches us the many valuable lessons he has learned despite the hardships he has faced.

Dr. Nizza and his family have created the Natalie Assalone Nizza Memorial Award in her honor, which gives $5,000 annually to a graduating student who demonstrates dedication as a parent while simultaneously balancing their passion for medicine.

Last year, the award was given to Dr. Larysa Aheyeva, who grew up in Belarus and moved to America to better her daughter's life. She is training to become an OB/GYN.

This year, the award went to Dr. Yisroel Grabie, a father of three who matched at Staten Island Hospital for internal medicine.

Dr. Nizza has asked that anyone moved by Natalie’s story consider a donation, no matter how large or small, to the scholarship fund. Donations can be made through the NYIT.edu website by clicking in the right upper quadrant on the “give” icon, choosing "other," and typing in "Nizza Memorial." You can also use the following link https://alumni.nyit.edu/giving/nyitcom and then select Natalie Assalone Scholarship from the dropdown menu.

We hope you are moved by this episode.

In April of 2022, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) graciously invited the D.O. or do not podcast to attend their national meeting, the “Educating Leaders” conference, in Denver, Colorado. Our two producers, Lerone Cark, MS-II at the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Brooke Pillegi, MS-II at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, as well as Ben Berg, our pre-medical student liaison, attended the conference to continue our mission of promoting awareness of osteopathic medicine by interviewing leaders in the field.

We would like to thank Dr. Robert Cain, president of AACOM, Joseph Shapiro, director of media relations, and Helene Cameron, vice president of medical education services, for having us at the conference and supporting the podcast. We had an amazing experience and would recommend the conference to any medical or pre-medical students interested in learning more about the inner workings of osteopathic medicine and osteopathic medical education.

Mr. David Bergman, J.D. is Vice President of Government Relations for the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM). His team works with Congress and agency professionals to directly advocate for the osteopathic profession. Mr. Bergman comes from a family of M.D.'s and has worked in medical policy for many years. Upon learning of osteopathic medicine, he quickly embraced the osteopathic profession and what it stands for. In this episode, Mr. Bergman discusses the contributions he and his AACOM team have made on behalf of D.O.’s and his goals for the future. For any listeners interested in becoming more involved in AACOM, medical policy, or advocacy, this episode is a must-listen that we are sure you will enjoy.

Welcome to the D.O. or DO Not Podcast. My name is Ben Berg, a “nontraditional" premedical student who graduated from Albany University and is now doing postgraduate work at Hunter College in New York to prepare to apply to osteopathic schools for the 2023 application cycle. I was lucky enough to attend AACOM's “Educating Leaders 2022” conference in Denver, Colorado. Attending the conference afforded me an incredible week of lectures and networking. It was a great experience that I would recommend to any premedical student. Attending the conference as a representative of the podcast provided me with an incredible opportunity to be surrounded by great osteopathic physicians as well as administrators. Speaking for myself, this experience truly affirmed my desire to become an osteopathic physician. The reason for the trip was so that I represent the premedical student perspective and share my experience with our premedical listeners who are interested in osteopathic medicine - and that is what we are going to do in this episode.

Tune in to listen to Ben Berg, our premedical student liaison, interview Dr. Helene Cameron, Ph.D. Dr. Cameron serves as the Vice President of Undergraduate Medical Education Services for AACOM (American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine). In this interview, Dr. Cameron offers insight into how AACOMAS (AACOM Application Service), which is a subsidiary of AACOM, works to help premedical students matriculate into osteopathic medical school, as well as provides crucial information and dates about the upcoming application cycle. 

In April of 2022, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) graciously invited the D.O. or Do Not Podcast to attend their national meeting, the "Educating Leaders” conference, in Denver, Colorado. Our two producers, Lerone Cark, MS-II at the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Brooke Pillegi, MS-II at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, as well as Ben Berg, our pre-medical student liaison, attended the conference to continue our mission of promoting awareness of osteopathic medicine by interviewing leaders in the field.

We would like to thank Dr. Robert Cain, president of AACOM, Joseph Shapiro, director of media relations, and Helene Cameron, vice president of medical education services, for having us at the conference and supporting the podcast. We had an amazing experience and would recommend the conference to any medical or pre-medical students interested in learning more about the inner workings of osteopathic medicine and osteopathic medical education.

In today’s episode, we interview Jeanne Sandella, D.O., a family medicine-trained physician who currently serves as Vice President of Professional Development Initiatives and Communications for the NBOME (National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners). Dr. Sandella will discuss important topics relevant to current and incoming osteopathic students across the country, including the  Level 1 switch to pass/fail, changes surrounding the Level 2 PE, and her thoughts on D.O. students who feel pressure to take both COMLEX and USMLE to secure their desired residency programs.

We hope you enjoy this episode.

Today, we are excited to hear from Dr. Sadia Riaz.

Dr. Riaz is a board-certified hematologist/oncologist. This specialty deals with disorders of the blood as well as various tumors and cancers. Training is intensive, with three years of internal medicine residency followed by three years of fellowship.

Dr. Riaz started her career in an accelerated seven-year program at NYITCOM, followed by post-doctorate training at a large academic institution.

She then went on to private practice, followed by a decade working in academics focusing on oncology and transplant medicine, and finally transitioning back to private practice.

In this episode, Dr. Riaz discusses her journey and the challenges she has faced as a Muslim female in medicine today. She also draws on her own experiences and shares her advice for women who are seeking careers in similarly competitive subspecialties of medicine.

Dr. Jeremy Polman, D.O., is a third-year internal medicine resident and aspiring gastroenterologist in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Dr. Polman attended Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine for medical school and Baton Rouge General for internal medicine residency. He is passionate about teaching and has even worked for an online education company throughout his residency that helps thousands of D.O. and M.D. students prepare for both USMLE and COMLEX. He also recently published a book, Osteopathic Medicine: A Core Concepts Approach, to further simplify learning the osteopathic principles. Tune in today to listen to Dr. Polman’s path to osteopathic medicine and all that he has contributed to the osteopathic profession thus far!

Today on D.O. or Do Not, we have Ashton Gatewood, an osteopathic medical student at the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences. Gatewood is a member of the Choctaw Nation and a descendant of Cherokee and Chickasaw ancestors. Before enrolling in medical school, she worked as a nurse and health care administrator at an Indian Health Services clinic in Oklahoma City for almost five years. While at OSU-COM, Ashton was distinguished in January as the OSU-COM Student Doctor of the Year and recently was runner-up for National Student D.O. Doctor of the Year. In this episode, Gatewood discusses her Cherokee and Chickasaw ancestry along with her unique experiences as a Native American osteopathic medical student.

In this episode, we have Dr. Lewerenzii, who gives us a unique perspective of a physician working in a non-clinical position. Dr. Lewerenzii graduated from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, now better known as A.T. Still University. He completed his residency in family medicine. After 10 years of practicing, he decided he wanted to do something different. Dr. Lewerenzii tells his experience and path of becoming a Medical Science Liaison (MSL), where he works to bridge the gap between healthcare workers in the field and the pharmaceutical industry. As an MSL, he has worked in multiple disciplines including rheumatology, dermatology, and, currently, gastroenterology. This episode will give pre-medical and medical students the opportunity to explore unique careers and roles while still being a physician.

Dr. John Biery is a family medicine-trained physician that currently teaches osteopathic manipulative medicine at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine and also recently completed an osteopathic neuromusculoskeletal medicine (ONMM) residency. In this episode, Dr. Biery discusses the different possible routes to ONMM residency, including his unique path that involved pharmacy school, the Navy, osteopathic medical school, family medicine residency, sports medicine fellowship, and finally ONMM residency. Tune in to this episode to hear what one might expect during ONMM residency as well as how it has augmented Dr. Biery’s career since he completed it.

In this episode, we will hear commentary from Ian Storch, D.O. to "break down" the recent "D.O." performance from Hasan Minhaj on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," both to discuss some misconceptions that may arise from the comedian's comments as well as discuss some of the hard truths that are brought up and how D.O.'s might learn from them.

We interview David Siegel, a professional comedian in Florida who has worked with Comedy Central and appeared on America's Got Talent. David will discuss the thoughts of a comedian when writing a skit and the importance of an audience to try not to take them too seriously.

Dr. Joe Bush is a chief resident at the AMITA St. Francis Ob/Gyn residency program. Dr. Bush comes from a long line of physicians. Prior to residency, he served in the US Navy for four years as a general medical officer. After graduating, he plans to join his father and brother in their Ob/Gyn private practice clinic. Dr. Bush is eager to share stories from his military experience and residency training that highlight just how critical of a role osteopathic training plays in patient care. We hope you enjoy this episode.

Tian Yu "Collin" She is a first-year internal medicine resident at NYU Long Island. His parents immigrated from China when he was a child and he long had aspirations of becoming a physician. He chose a 7-year medical program through the State University of New York and NYITCOM.  With aspirations of becoming a gastroenterologist, he sought out mentorship from Dr. Storch and helped found this podcast. Tian Yu will speak about 7-year medical programs, his experience with osteopathic medicine, podcasting, and how he obtained a "coveted" residency program.  He will speak about the benefits and difficulties of "working through medical school" and the experiences that he feels were important in getting him to where he is today as well as his plans for the future.

In this episode, we have family medicine physician Dr. Hollis H. King, D.O. Dr. King attended UNT Health Science Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine and received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Louisiana State University. He serves on the research committee for the Osteopathic Cranial Academy and is also on the editorial advisory board for The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. We hope you enjoy listening to Dr. King talk about his journey as well as his passion for cranial osteopathy!

Dr. Amir Olfat is a native Californian and a graduate of Chapman University, where he earned a degree in biochemistry and molecular biology. After graduating from Chapman, Dr. Olfat moved to New York's Hudson Valley for medical school.

While in medical school, he had the opportunity to explore the greater New York area, from Brooklyn's East Flatbush to Nyack, in order to complete his core clerkships. After graduating from medical school, Dr. Olfat completed an intense surgical internship at New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital where he was awarded “Intern of the Year.” Dr. Olfat is now working on completing his residency in interventional and diagnostic radiology at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. He is excited about what the future holds for the field of IR. In addition to his academic interests in radiology and research, he enjoys photography, biking, and traveling.

Dr. Julieanne Sees, DO, FAAOS, FAOA, FAOAO, is an AOA board-certified osteopathic orthopedic surgeon with dual fellowship training in pediatric orthopedic surgery and neuro-orthopedic surgery. She notably has been recently named a 2021 "Top Doc of America." She currently is the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine fellow in Osteopathic Medicine, serving on the National Academy of Medicine Action Collaborative on Clinician Well-Being and Resilience and Committee on Accelerating Progress in Traumatic Brain Injury Research and Care.

Dr. Sees received her degree in osteopathic medicine from Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine in Downers Grove, Illinois. During medical school, she received several honors, including the Illinois Medical Society Student of the Year Award and the National Medical Council of Student Government Presidents Student DO of the Year. She went on to complete a combined internship and orthopedic residency at the former University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Osteopathic Medicine. During residency, she received AOF’s Outstanding Resident of the Year Award. Her passion for promoting clinician resiliency and traumatic brain injury research, prevention, and care are at the forefront of her practice.

An active member of the osteopathic medical profession, Dr. Sees serves on the AOA’s Committee on Governance and Organizational Structure as vice chair, the American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF) Board of Directors, and the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedic Surgery Publications and Communications as chair. Currently, she is president of the Delaware State Osteopathic Medical Society and president of the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine Alumni Association (CCOMAA) Board of Governors.

Tune in to hear  Dr. Sees' story about how she went from working in development at a major pharmaceutical company to a CCOM student and her advice to students interested in pursuing pediatric orthopedic surgery and neuro-orthopedic surgery.

Dr. Norman Gevitz currently serves as senior vice president of Academic Affairs at A. T. Still University. His osteopathic journey started at the University of Chicago, where he studied sociology. Interested in writing his thesis on "occupational role duplication," he spoke to an MD friend about different professions. When the topic of osteopathic medicine came up, he became intrigued. This work ultimately led to his landmark book, "The DO's: Osteopathic Medicine in America," which documents the evolution of osteopathic medicine from its founder, the "Lightning Bone Setter," to its comprehensive range of practice today. He speaks about the benefits of osteopathy and the challenges the profession may face in the future.

Dermatologist and current Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology Fellow Dr. Luke Maxfield, D.O., joins host Amir Khiabani, OMS-IV, in this episode of D.O. or Do Not. Dr. Maxfield attended Pikes Peak Community College and the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, receiving a Bachelor of Science in biology. He then attended Lake Erie’s College of Osteopathic Medicine. He was a Transitional Rotating intern at Sampson Regional Medical Center to then achieve his goal of becoming a dermatology resident at Campbell University.

In today’s episode, Dr. Maxfield discusses his journey during his premedical years that ultimately led him to osteopathic medicine. He starts his story by discussing obstacles he faced during high school and his time at a community college. Dr. Maxfield recounts his experiences as an EMT and journey to osteopathic medicine, ultimately providing premedical students and medical students guidance in their own journeys to medicine. Dr. Maxfield is an active influencer on social media. Through Instagram and TikTok, he shares premedical advice to students as well as educational content for medical students! @dr.ljmaxfield

The team here at D.O. or Do Not Podcast hopes you enjoy this episode!!!

Dr. Jenkins is an assistant professor of sociology at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Her interest is in medical sociology, and she recently published a book describing her post-doctoral work entitled, "Doctors' Orders: The Making of Status Hierarchies in an Elite Profession." She evaluates the differences between US MD and "Non-US MD" physicians regarding opportunities in medicine and medical specialties. In our interview, she will discuss the book and specific observations she made during her research in regard to the "osteopathic journey."
 

Dr. Perry Marshall, D.O., is an emergency medicine physician. He completed medical school, his internship, and his residency all at Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. As a member of the Health Professions Scholarship Program with the Navy, Dr. Marshall served a three-year tour in Hawaii as a general medical officer between his intern year and residency. He is now a professor and associate dean of Interprofessional Education at his alma mater, CCOM. Today, he will share with you his passion for teaching and mentoring future physicians. We hope you enjoy this episode.

Dr. Andrew Little, D.O., emergency medicine physician at AdventHealth East Orlando Hospital, joins host Amir Khiabani, OMS-IV, in this episode of D.O. or Do Not. Dr. Little serves as the associate residency director for the emergency medicine residency at AdventHealth East Orlando. In addition to this role, Dr. Little is the co-founder and host of "EM Over Easy," the official podcast of the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians (ACOEP). Recently, Dr. Little was nominated and selected for the Emergency Medicine Residents’ Association’s (EMRA) "45 under 45" award!

In today’s episode, Dr. Little speaks about his childhood in rural Montana and his experiences with osteopathic medicine, and why he chose his path. He speaks about his experiences throughout his premedical years, his time at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine as a medical student, as well as his time as a medical resident in Ohio. Dr. Little reflects on his path and provides guidance to students of all tiers in addition to advice on the application process. He also provides a glimpse into what he, as an emergency medicine associate program director, looks for during the residency interview trail!

The team here at D.O. or Do Not Podcast hope you enjoy this episode!

Dr. Aimee Stotz is board-certified in anesthesiology, pain management, and osteopathic neuromusculoskeletal medicine. Prior to attending osteopathic medical school, she worked as a physical therapist and discovered her passion for cranial sacral therapy. Drawn to osteopathic medicine, she decided to pursue a career as a DO at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. Following graduation, Dr. Stotz completed an internship with the Chicago Osteopathic Health Systems at Rush Medical School, a residency in anesthesiology from Northwestern University, and a fellowship in pain management at Loyola University. She has worked as a staff and attending anesthesiologist in a variety of different settings and currently performs anesthesia during gastrointestinal procedures. Additionally, Dr. Stotz serves as a clinical professor at both an allopathic and osteopathic medical college.

Dr. Stotz is a member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, the American Osteopathic Association, the American Academy of Osteopathy, the Illinois State Medical Society, the Illinois State Osteopathic Society, and the Osteopathic Cranial Academy. She gives back to the osteopathic community by teaching and supervising Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine students at the free Old Irving Park Community Clinic.

Dr. Lawrence Sands has spent over 25 years working as a public health physician. He has led a variety of local and state-level teams in community health services, biodefense preparedness, and epidemiology. Dr. Sands was introduced to medicine by working in his father’s primary care practice in Michigan before going on to earn a Master of Public Health from the University of Michigan. He then received his D.O. degree from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, became board-certified in General Preventative Medicine and Public Health, and then earned a fellowship in clinical administration.

Dr. Sands is currently the vice-chair of the Department of Osteopathic Family and Community Medicine, Clinical Associate Professor at the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Associate Professor in Public Health at Midwestern University. He has held various board positions in the past, including president of the Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association and Adelante Healthcare board chair.

We hope you enjoy his story of becoming an osteopathic medical practitioner with a focus on health policy, prevention education, population health management, addressing the social determinants of health, and promoting health equity.

An emergency medicine physician by training, Dr. Thomas Boyle, DO, FACOEP, FACEP, currently serves as the dean of the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (CCOM) at Midwestern University. As a clinical assistant professor of emergency medicine, Dr. Boyle began his career at Midwestern University in 1992. From 2001 to 2008, he served as its Student Education coordinator and chair of Emergency Medicine. Following these positions, Dr. Boyle had the opportunity to serve as the associate dean of Clinical Services for CCOM, the dean of Postdoctoral Education, and even as the interim dean for one year while the current dean, Karen J. Nichols, DO, MA, MACOI, CS, took a leave of absence from the position to serve as the president of the American Osteopathic Association.

Prior to his roles in academic medicine and medical education, Dr. Boyle earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the Philadelphia College of Medicine. Following graduation, he completed his intern year and went on to serve as a general medical officer in the United States Air Force before returning to complete a residency in emergency medicine at CCOM. In addition to his medical degree, Dr. Boyle also completed a Master’s in Business Administration at Saint Joseph's University Erivan K. Haub School of Business in 2019. In fact, it is Dr. Boyle’s interest in teaching that lead him to pursue a career in academic medicine.

Tune in to hear about Dr. Boyle’s pathway to becoming dean of CCOM and learn more about the osteopathic medicine program at CCOM, including what makes a good applicant for the program, elaboration on the program’s strengths, and plans to improve the curriculum for future classes of osteopathic graduates. 

Jann Gael, OMS-IV, is a medical school student at Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest. Born in Amarillo, TX, he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor of science in biology before spending several years working at the university as an embryology research assistant. During his time in research, Gael invested his efforts towards fully characterizing fundamental physiological processes necessary for proper human development in the hopes of elucidating mechanisms that could be used to create treatments for congenital disease. Currently, in his role as a medical student, Gael believes that diligence, integrity, and a love of learning will allow him to best serve and support his future patients and peers. Focusing on the flexibility needed to view problems from different perspectives, he holds these values as essential in creating a robust and reliable foundation for treatment plans that can best address a patient’s needs.

Medicine offers the perfect venue in which deductive reasoning and natural curiosity can be used to affect and improve the lives of others more directly. Passionate about the field of pathology, Gael was drawn to the challenge of finding connections between vast amounts of information, the openness to collaboration needed to address a problem from multiple angles, and the critical thinking skills required to be successful in these endeavors.

Alongside his love of science, Gael indulges in his passion for fine arts. Music has always played an instrumental part in Gael’s life, even more so now in the face of COVID. In his spare time, he enjoys performing lullabies on the piano, singing (poorly but enthusiastically) to songs from the last musical he’s seen, or listening to music livestreams as he sketches and writes on his weekend evenings.

Tune in to learn more about Gael’s path to osteopathic medicine, his passion for working with others, and his experiences navigating life and medicine as a transgender medical student.

In this episode of D.O. or Do Not, we interview Dr. Melanie Jessen. Dr. Jessen is the Family Medicine Residency Director at West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park, Illinois. Dr. Jensen also serves as the second-year Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine course director at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. She graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and subsequently attended the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she also completed her internship, a neurology residency, and a family medicine residency. Dr. Jessen has served as president of the Illinois Osteopathic Medical Society and was a  delegate for the American Osteopathic Association.

I hope you enjoy her journey starting as a teacher of dance and music and ultimately pivoting direction to attend medical school and become an osteopathic physician.  

Hosted by Tiffany Carlson
Edited by Thomas Jasionwski

In this episode of D.O. or Do Not, we welcome Dr. Justin Boge.

Dr. Boge did a residency in anesthesiology at UW Madison and a fellowship in pain medicine at Oregon Health and Science University. He is an Air Force veteran who is currently on staff at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Wisconsin.  While working part-time in his pain management practice, he is simultaneously furthering his education with a Master of Health Administration through Cornell University.

In this interview, Dr. Boge will tell us how he chose osteopathic medicine and why he decided to pursue extra time as a teaching assistant in osteopathic manipulation while in medical school at Des Moines University. He will talk about his experiences serving in Iraq and how he chose to specialize in anesthesia and pain management. I hope you enjoy his story and journey in being and becoming an osteopathic physician. Thanks for listening!

Hosted by Tiffany Carlson
Edited by Nicholas Buskill

In this episode, we interview Dr. Georgeanne Freeman, a family medicine physician who graduated from the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences in Des Moines, Iowa. She then went on to complete her intern year at East Tennessee State University followed by a family medicine residency at the University of Washington. Currently, Dr. Freeman owns her own full-spectrum family medicine practice called Downtown Doctor in Austin, Texas. She is also the founder of Hippo Hydrate, which provides rehydration treatments for a variety of ailments.

Hosted by Madli Vahtra 
Edited by Thomas Jasionwski

In this episode of D.O. Or Do Not, Dr. Tonni Bacoat-Jones shares her story with us. Dr. Bacoat graduated with a degree in mathematics from Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina. She attended medical school at Des Moines University and completed a traditional osteopathic rotating internship in Brooklyn New York. Dr. Bacoat completed a residency in anesthesiology and a pain management fellowship at the University of Maryland in Baltimore. Ultimately, she went on to work and teach at Nova-Southeastern University on the Clearwater campus, where she is currently the post-baccalaureate gross anatomy course director and assistant course director for first-year medical students. Dr. Bacoat holds a Master of Public Health that she obtained through George Washington University.

In this interview, Dr. Bacoat will tell us about her journey as a non-traditional medical student who raised her five-year-old daughter during her studies at Des Moines. She describes how an early family mentor led her to choose osteopathic medicine and will give students her study strategies to be successful in medical school. We hope you enjoy listening to Dr. Bacoat’s journey.

Hosted by Tiffany Carlson
Edited by Nicholas Buskill

In today’s episode, we have Dr. Tuvia Marciano. Dr. Marciano is a pediatric gastroenterologist at NYU Langone on Long Island. He graduated from the New York Institute of Technology in 2000 and completed his pediatrics residency at Downstate Medical Center before moving on to finish his pediatric gastroenterology fellowship in 2007 at the prestigious Montefiore Medical Center. Dr. Marciano has won several awards for his excellent care and is featured in multiple regional guides including Newsday and New York Magazine. We hope you enjoy this episode.

Edited by Thomas Jasionwski

Dr. Ariel Nassim is a sports medicine physician at Nassim Medical in New York. He graduated from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his internal medicine residency at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai Beth Israel. He also completed a sports medicine fellowship at Drexel University College of Medicine. In addition to his regular practice, Dr. Nassim has worked with several professional athletes at various sports events, including the US Open and Pan American Games. He is even scheduled to be on Team USA’s medical staff at the upcoming 2021 Olympics.

Hosted by Madli Vahtra 
Edited by Thomas Jasionwski

Today, we will be speaking with Dr. Jim MacKenzie, a child psychiatrist in Chicago. Dr. MacKenzie graduated from the Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He then completed his residency in psychiatry at Loyola University followed by a fellowship in child psychiatry at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago. He went on to practice academic medicine, but recently transitioned much of his time to focus on political advocacy. He is currently working to expand the scope of practice of family medicine physicians to include psychiatric care. As you will soon see, Dr. MacKenzie demonstrates how intelligent and thoughtful psychiatrists can be. If you have not previously considered a career in psychiatry, I know you will be inspired to reconsider after listening to his interview about topics ranging from autism to how a pizza party changed his life.

Hosted by Madli Vahtra 
Edited by Celine Tran

For our fourth and final Osteopathic Medicine Month episode, we had the pleasure to host Student Doctor Edith Waskel, OMS-IV, and Student Doctor Edward Ng, OMS-IV, MS. Edie and Ed are current fourth-year osteopathic medical students and soon-to-be graduates of the Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (WU-COMP) in Pomona, California. Successfully beating the odds and couples-matching to the University of Illinois-Chicago Emergency Medicine Residency program, they will begin their physician journey as emergency medicine interns this July.

Drawn to the mind, body, and spirit approach of osteopathic medicine, Edie felt a career as an osteopathic physician was a natural choice. As she entered medical school, she quickly recognized her passion for healthcare policy and osteopathic political advocacy and entered into leadership roles within the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA). Currently, she serves as the student representative on the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Board of Trustees. In this position, Edie has worked alongside Kevin Klauer, D.O., EJD,  current CEO of the AOA, to help eliminate any remaining osteopathic medical student discrimination students may have encountered when applying to away rotations and residencies – a huge success for the osteopathic profession. Additionally, enthusiastic about social medicine, she has also served as the National SOMA Community Outreach Director and on the SOMA Resolutions Committee to help amplify the osteopathic medical student voice.

Ed also found that the osteopathic philosophy aligned with his own healthcare philosophy and chose to pursue a career as an osteopathic physician over the allopathic route – with the added bonus that WU-COMP was close to home. As a first-generation American and college student, Ed’s connection to medicine grew from his humble roots and desire to serve others. Like Edie, Ed chose to pursue medical school leadership positions focused on healthcare policy and osteopathic political advocacy. As a medical student, he served on the American Association of Osteopathic Medicine’s Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents by overseeing the Mental Health Awareness Task Force. In this position, he helped to organize the Osteopathic Medical Student Day of Wellness, which is dedicated to bringing recognition to the mental health challenges medical students face and stopping the stigma associated with mental health. Similarly to Edie, he also worked to pass osteopathic medical policy to help further and better the profession by acting as an alternate voting delegate at the 2019 American Osteopathic Association House of Delegates.

As they enter into the next stage of their osteopathic medical career, Edie and Ed are excited for their future together as emergency medicine residents in Chicago, IL – and hopefully, with a puppy. Tune in to learn more about their experience with the NRMP couple’s match, healthcare policy and osteopathic political advocacy, and their advice for students pursuing a career in osteopathic medicine.

Edited by Nicholas Buskill

For our third Osteopathic Medicine Month episode, we had the honor to host pediatrician Dr. Tyree Winters, DO, FACOP, FAAP. Dr. Winters is both the Pediatric Residency Associate Program Director and the third-year medical student pediatric clerkship director at Goryeb Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Winters is committed to community pediatrics and child advocacy and maintains a special interest in helping youth combat obesity. To that end, he created a dance exercise program called “Hip Hop with a Doc” for kids and adopted the moniker "Dr. Tye."

Tune in to learn more about Dr. Winter’s path to pediatrics, his passion for osteopathic medicine, and advice to students intent on pursuing a career as an osteopathic pediatrician.

Edited by Nicholas Buskill

In today’s episode, we have the privilege of speaking with Dr. Gerard Baltazar, with whom I will be working in the future at my residency. Dr. Baltazar is a trauma and intensive care surgeon at NYU Langone Health. He obtained his undergraduate degree in biology and fine arts from Georgetown University and his D.O. degree from Touro University in 2007.

Dr. Baltazar completed his general surgical residency at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY, and finished a fellowship in trauma and surgical critical care at Rutgers University Hospital in Newark, NJ. He has received several regional, state, and national awards for scientific research, writing, and community service. His research interests include traumatic brain injury, international medicine, and osteopathic manipulative treatment for surgical patients. He has volunteered for surgical missions on three continents and was the recipient of the 2015 Oriens Award from the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma. Before joining NYU Long Island School of Medicine, Dr. Baltazar was Director of Surgical Critical Care at a safety-net hospital in the Bronx.

Welcome to the first episode in our series highlighting physicians for  Osteopathic Awareness Month. Today, we interview Jason Haxton, who has been awarded an "honorary D.O." because of his role as the director of the Museum of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, MO. for the past 20 years. Today, he will share with us some of the fascinating history of osteopathy.

The collections of the Museum of Osteopathic Medicine include more than 80,000 objects, photographs, documents, and books dating from the early 1800s to the present (focused mainly on 1870–1940). The core of the collection consists of artifacts from the professional and private life of A. T. Still, the founder of osteopathy; most of the artifacts were donated by Dr. Still's daughter and her family members.

Since the founding of the museum in 1934, other family members, DOs, and museum supporters have donated many additional artifacts that reflect the ongoing history of the osteopathic profession. The research collections of the International Center for Osteopathic History (ICOH) also include many former holdings of the A. T. Still Memorial Library, for which the museum assumed responsibility in 1997. Of note, when we interviewed Dr. Darnita Anderson Hill last month, author of "Blacks in Osteopathic Medicine: An Idea Whose Time Has Come," she found the resources of the museum invaluable to her writings. We hope you enjoy this episode.

Today, we have a special episode for you in celebration of National Doctor’s Day. For the past 14 months, we have been interviewing osteopathic physicians about their career journeys and experiences. We like to ask them about the best advice they have for students entering the field of medicine. Today, we have compiled for you some of the most valuable advice we have heard from our guests to help motivate you through YOUR journey in medicine. We hope you enjoy this episode!

Created and edited by Madli Vahtra

Welcome to our 39th episode and the fourth installment in the resident physician series. Today, we have Dr. Tara Gaston, a fifth-year orthopedic resident at Rowan University and Jefferson-Kennedy Hospital. Prior to receiving her DO degree at Rowan University, she obtained a master's in physiology and biophysics and a bachelor's in biology at Gettysburg College. She is married to a previous guest we have had on this podcast, Dr. Ryan Moncman, a neurosurgery resident.

In this episode, Dr. Gaston talks about what made her choose orthopedic surgery and her journey into the challenges faced by female physicians in what is historically perceived as a male-dominated field. We hope you enjoy this episode and our others dedicated to Women’s History Month.

This episode was hosted by Daniella Rodriguez OMS-III at Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Edited by Thomas Jasionowski

Third-year osteopathic medical student Madli Vahtra is joined by her colleague, Tiffany Carlson, in speaking to Dr. Teresa Hubka, a D.O. practicing obstetrics and gynecology in Chicago. Dr. Hubka graduated from Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed an internship year in New Jersey at the Atlantic City Medical Center and her residency in OB/GYN at Mercy Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago. After residency, Dr. Hubka started a private practice that subsequently grew into Comprehensive Wellness Care, a practice that specializes in the total care of women of all ages. Dr. Hubka is a clinical professor and chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is also the Obstetrics and Gynecology Program Director at Presence Resurrection Medical Center. We hope you enjoy this episode.

Hosted by Madli Vahtra & Tiffany Carlson
Edited by Nicholas Buskill

Carisa Champion is the third resident DO physician we have had on the podcast. She is currently a fourth-year surgical resident at the University of Florida Health in Jacksonville, FL.

In medical school, she not only graduated with a concomitant doctor of osteopathy degree and a jurisprudence doctorate, making her a physician and lawyer, but also a master's in public health.

Dr. Champion's resume includes acting as a White House intern, AOA Board of Trustees Student Representative, national chair of the Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents (COSGP), and member of the Board of Trustees of the Academic Consortium on Criminal Justice Health, to name just a few of her accolades.

On top of her duties as a surgical resident, Dr. Champion has been working as a member of the production staff for the TV show "Grey’s Anatomy" and with the FDA to find a treatment for COVID-19! We hope you enjoy the interview!

In today’s episode, we have Dr. Cindy Hoffman. Dr. Hoffman graduated from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1985 and completed both family medicine and dermatology residencies by 1990.

Dr. Hoffman's practice ranges from general dermatology to Mohs surgery and even cosmetic and laser treatments. She rounds out her busy schedule by acting as the dermatology residency director at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx and is the course director of the dermatology department at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine.

In episode 19, we spoke with her about how DO students can be competitive for dermatology residency positions. Today, we will learn more about the competitive field of dermatology through her own private journey. We hope you enjoy this episode.

Edited by Thomas Jasionowski

In this episode of D.O. or Do Not, I interview Dr. Ashley Peterson. She grew up as a military kid, started kindergarten at age four, and attended UNC Charlotte, graduating at the ripe age of 19 with a degree in anthropology. She then went directly to the Georgia campus of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and is very candid about her mistakes and successes there. As a student, she served as the Student National Medical Association's Georgia Chapter President. She was able to take advantage of and learned a lot during away rotations at the flagship PCOM campus.

At 24 years old, she earned a residency spot in family medicine at the prestigious historically black college and university Morehouse School of Medicine.

She has her own podcast called "Real Medicine with Doctor Rox" and her Instagram account has 7,000 followers. She and her family run a non-profit that supports minority students in their educational pursuits. She also continues to give back through the Student National Medical Association as a board member, ensuring the advancement of minority students in osteopathic medicine.

I hope you enjoy the interview as much as I did as its host. Thanks for listening!

Host: Tiffany Carlson
Editor: Nick Buskill

For our fourth Black History Month episode, we had the privilege to speak with Dr. Darnita Anderson Hill, DO. Dr. Anderson Hill is the daughter of Dr. William Anderson, DO, a surgeon and pioneer in the Civil Rights Movement who we interviewed previously this month.

At a young age, Dr. Anderson Hill knew she wanted to pursue a career as a physician. Ultimately, her passion led her to apply to both osteopathic and allopathic institutions. Dr. Anderson Hill quickly discovered that the philosophy and principles of osteopathic medicine truly resonated with her, leading her to attend the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Today, Dr. Anderson Hill is a board-certified family medicine physician who remains deeply connected to osteopathic principles in her practice.

Passionate about both the history of osteopathic medicine and her African American heritage, Dr. Anderson Hill set out on a spiritual journey to learn about the origins of osteopathy, the osteopathic philosophy, and the role that the Black community has played in the founding and progression of medical practice - more specifically, osteopathic medicine in America. Spanning from Kirksville, Missouri, the site of the first osteopathic medical school, to Jonesville, Virginia, the birthplace of Andrew Taylor Still, the founder of osteopathy, her journey ultimately led her to author a book entitled "Blacks in Osteopathic Medicine: An Idea Whose Time Has Come."

This book, which is a must-read for all medical students and physicians alike, aims to clarify not only the history of osteopathic medicine but more importantly highlight the role and contribution of Blacks to modern medicine - specifically, osteopathic medicine in America.

In our interview, Dr. Anderson Hill comments on history, but, more importantly, offers insight into how she feels osteopathic schools might work to better represent minorities, specifically Black students, and further discusses what Black students can do to learn more about the osteopathic profession.

Dr. Jennifer Caudle is a board-certified family medicine physician and associate professor in the department of Family Medicine at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Caudle was a faculty member in the Johns Hopkins University/Sinai Hospital residency program in internal medicine in Baltimore, MD, and an instructor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Dr. Caudle graduated with honors from Princeton University and earned her medical degree from UMDNJ School of Osteopathic Medicine.

She appears as a regular on-air health expert for local and national news networks, including The TODAY Show, The Dr. Oz Show, CNN, FOX News, The Rachael Ray Show, The Steve Harvey Show, Fox 29 Philadelphia News, PBS, and many others.

Her health articles have been published in The Daily Beast, CNN.com, DoctorOz.com, and ABCNews.com, and she has been quoted by USA Today, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Prevention, Shape, The Huffington Post, Reader's Digest, Good Housekeeping, Men’s Health, and others.

Dr. Jen is a spokesperson for the American Osteopathic Association and a radio/video host for ReachMD.

She is a national lecturer on opioid prescribing for physicians. She presents the CORE-REMS “ER/LA Opioid REMS: Achieving Safe Use While Improving Patient Care” lecture throughout the country.  She also presents workshops on health, wellness, and motivation to companies and organizations, and she lectures on the topic of childhood bullying to hospitals and healthcare organizations.

As a musician who plays the cello, Dr. Caudle has performed in orchestras and string ensembles internationally. She attended Walnut Hill School for the Arts and studied cello at the New England Conservatory of Music Preparatory School during her high school years. Dr. Caudle is a former trustee of Walnut Hill School for the Arts. 

In 1999, Dr. Caudle earned the title of Miss Iowa and competed in the 1999 Miss America Pageant.

Interviewed by Dr. Carisa Champion
Edited by Thomas Jasionowski

In this episode, I have the privilege of interviewing Dr. Barbara Ross-Lee, a woman whose accolades include building a successful family practice during the 70’s, a difficult feat at the time for a woman and an African American, to becoming the first woman of color to hold the position of dean at an American medical school.

Dr. Lee tells us about growing up in Detroit as the eldest daughter of a large family, her discovery of osteopathy, and her amazing life journey that led her to the dean’s position at two osteopathic schools, Ohio University’s Heritage COM and NYITCOM.

We know that you will be inspired by Dr. Ross-Lee’s exceptional journey.

Dr. Anderson is a 93-year-old African American osteopathic physician who is currently a professor of surgery and senior advisor to the dean at the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSU-COM). He holds the distinction of being the first African American on the American Osteopathic Association Board of Trustees and served as the president of the American Osteopathic Association in 1994 and 1995.

Dr. Anderson was born in Americus, Georgia, to the daughter of a slave in 1927. Dr. Anderson attended Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He returned to Albany, Georgia, where he was prevented from treating patients because of segregationist policies in 1957.

Dr. Anderson became a pioneer in the Civil Rights Movement and was a personal friend and colleague of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His story is amazing and uplifting. This is an episode not to miss!

In this episode, we are lucky to have a special guest: Dr. Jamie Lanzillotta. In prior episodes of our podcast, we have tended to focus on the excitement of specialties such as neurosurgery or emergency department and doctors who work on the frontlines saving lives. Today, we host a different type of “superhero”, who, in my opinion, is more impressive: a doctor who can balance her career and her family, making sure her three children feel just as important and well-cared for as her patients.

Dr. Lanzillotta practices general pediatrics on Long Island, New York. She graduated from the NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her residency at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, where she also served as chief resident. 

Today, Dr. Lanzillotta will highlight the pros and cons of a career in pediatrics. She will describe the differences between working in the small private practice where she first worked after residency and the larger multispecialty group where she is currently employed. 

Dr. Lanzillotta will help us understand the challenges that face a physician/working mother and give us tips that help guide women in medicine who are considering a similar career path.

In today’s episode, we welcome Dr. Rebeccah Rodriguez, a Latin American trailblazer and osteopathic physician who serves on the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee as a Team USA physician and was on the medical staff at the Olympic Training Site in Chula Vista, California, as team physician for over 10 years. Dr. Rodríguez earned her medical degree from the ATSU-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and subsequently completed a family practice residency at John C. Lincoln Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. She did a sports medicine fellowship at San Diego Sports Medicine & Family Health Center in 2010, which opened the door for her to work with the Olympic rugby team.

Beyond her family and sports medicine practice, Dr. Rodriguez is passionate about improving quality healthcare. She helps make policy for national organizations such as the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine, the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians California Board Health and Wellness and Procedural Committee, and the President’s Council for Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition.

Dr. Rodriguez shares her views on osteopathic medicine and sports medicine and how she felt as a woman going into the previously male-dominated field of sports medicine. We hope you enjoy this episode.

In today's episode, we welcome Dr. John Gimpel. Dr. Gimpel is the president and CEO of the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners. The NBOME is the organization that administers the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination or COMLEX- USA for short, which ensures that osteopathic physicians have competency for licensure and practice.

In today’s conversation, Dr. Gimpel will speak with us about the history of the Board and the examination and the importance of the COMLEX for licensure. Furthermore, Dr. Gimpel will share his opinion on topics including the importance of the ACGME merger for osteopathic postgraduate education, whether DOs need to take the USMLE,  specifically if considering competitive fellowship, and the challenges that faced the board specifically with the Level 2-PE during the pandemic.

In this episode, we will speak with Dr. David Rhoiney. Dr. Rhoiney is the model of success, but his path was far from easy. He is a minority physician who clearly demonstrates that strength of will and hard work can overcome any hardship. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy before graduating from A.T. Still University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2014 and becoming a general surgeon. Dr. Rhoiney is currently stationed in Guantanamo Bay and serves as the lieutenant commander in the Navy. However, before achieving any of his academic accolades, he survived a difficult life on the streets. We hope you enjoy the story of how Dr. Rhoiney preserved through all odds to get to where he is today.

Dr. Anne Kozlowski is a diagnostic radiologist who works at Tulsa Radiology Associates, which is affiliated with St. John Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Dr. Kozlowski went to medical school at the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and has more than 20 years of experience in her field of radiology.  Dr. Kozlowski will share with us her journey, from starting as a ballerina that danced in front of the camera to her current job as a physician who works behind the film.

-Description updated 01/2021

​Richard Morgan was a board-certified physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation who trained at the Rusk Institute of NYU Medical Center. He graduated from NYCOM in 1998. He then went into private practice in New York City with a focus on sports medicine and musculoskeletal disorders. Throughout his early career, where he was triggered by an early injury and surgical procedure, he followed a dark path down an abyss of addiction that ultimately led him to federal prison, where he was sentenced to 14 years for conspiracy to distribute oxycodone. After serving 97 months of his sentence, he was rewarded with an early release. In the one year that he has been out of prison, he has begun the process of not only reconnecting with his family and society but also has begun the process of giving back and helping others with chemical dependency. His story was recently highlighted on "The Dr. Oz Show," and he shared his story with his alma mater, NYCOM, stressing the importance of recognizing the signs and symptoms of addiction in colleagues.

Today, I am excited to be interviewing Dr. Rodney Bates, who serves as professor and chair of primary care at ICOM. Dr. Bates is a favorite of almost every student at ICOM. Dr. Bates has over 12 years of extensive experience as an internal medicine doctor, working both in a large practice and as a hospitalist before joining the school’s faculty.

Dr. Bates will describe what it was like to be raised in a rural area and how his interests in medicine and osteopathy were sparked by his interactions with a small-town physician. We will follow the professor’s journey from college in Idaho to a residency in Michigan and how he made the decision to come back to Idaho to help the fledgling osteopathic school achieve its mission of training the next generation of physicians in a truly underserved/physician shortage area.

Dr. Qiuping Zhou is a board-certified attending physician specializing in emergency medicine and critical care medicine at North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical Center, part of Northwell Health. She is the director of the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit at Long Island Jewish Medical Center and an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Zucker School of Medicine. She earned her medical degree in China and obtained a second degree in osteopathy at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Zhou is an active member of the Society of Critical Care Medicine and the American College of Emergency Physicians.

Dr. Robert Cain is the current president and CEO of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, also known as AACOM. Every osteopathic student has communicated with AACOM. AACOM is the organization that supports the 37 accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine in the United States.

Dr. Cain is a pulmonologist by trade and graduated from Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. Before he became president and CEO of AACOM, he served as the associate dean for Clinical Education at the Ohio COM, where he oversaw business development and relationship management for clinical experiences associated with undergraduate and graduate medical education. Prior to this university appointment, he served as the director of medical education at Grandview Hospital in Dayton, Ohio.

Over the past two decades, Dr. Cain has served in a variety of roles on a number of local, state, and national committees, task forces, and boards, including the American Osteopathic Association and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education  Osteopathic Principles Committee.

Dr. Cain was inducted into the AOGME Collegium of Fellows in 2018 and has received many other awards for his contributions to osteopathic medical education, including the Association of Osteopathic Directors and Medical Educators Leadership Award in 2014, Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine Master Clinical Faculty in 2011, Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine Standard of Excellence Award in 2009, and the ACOI Teacher of the Year in 2004.

We hope you enjoy this interview.

In today’s episode, we will be speaking with Dr. Margaret Wilson, the current dean at A.T. Still University’s Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, the founding school of osteopathy. Dr. Wilson actually grew up in Kirksville, Missouri, and is a graduate of the very same school.  She did a rotating internship in Ohio, became a family practitioner, and worked with the National Service Health Corps.

Dr. Wilson is a true leader and role model to all osteopathic physicians. She serves as the chairman of the Board of Deans for the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), where she works diligently to promote osteopathic medical education. We know you will be inspired by this inspirational woman.

Dr. Aston is a Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine alumnus who did a family practice residency at Unity Health in Arkansas and completed further training in osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) at the University of North Texas. He currently works at the University of North Texas Health Science Center's family medicine clinic and residency. In addition to these accolades, Dr. Aston was the world's first fellowship-trained performing arts medicine physician, using OMM to treat musicians and dancers.

Dr. Aston is dedicated to the study of osteopathy. In an effort to educate students and the public about his passion, he has created a podcast, "Rollin’ Bones," where he discusses topics from the history of osteopathic medicine to the intricate details of specific osteopathic techniques. If you are interested in learning more about osteopathy, we highly recommend listening to his podcast. A link can be found in the podcast section of our website.

Before we begin this episode, we think it is important to take a minute to define some terms that will be discussed with Dr. Aston.

Osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM), osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMT), and neuromusculoskeletal medicine (NMM) are all synonymous terms that describe the study and practice of the manual techniques that make DOs unique. OMM is not meant to replace standard surgery and medical therapies but to COMPLEMENT them. Using manual medicine, the physician or “operator” uses their hands to fix “somatic dysfunctions.” Somatic dysfunctions are problems with the body’s structure, which when repaired can improve nerve, lymphatic, and/or blood flow in order to help return internal balance or homeostasis that, in turn, will accelerate the body’s natural healing process.

The main osteopathic techniques include:

1) soft tissue and myofascial release, where the physician massages muscles and superficial connective tissue to release tension.

2) high-velocity low-amplitude thrusting technique (HVLA) - the classic “cracking” technique where joints are aligned into their barrier and then forced back into place with quick, forceful movements.

3) muscle energy, where the physician engages the point of restriction and uses the patient’s strength to counteract that force, bringing the muscle to relax.

4) counterstrain, where we put the tense tissues into a position of ease to relax tenderpoints in the tissues.

There are also two very specialized techniques that frequently take years of extra study to master. They are visceral osteopathy, which focuses on facilitating the functions of the internal organs such as the stomach and heart, and cranial osteopathy, where the operator aims at releasing tension and stress in the body’s internal rhythms and impulses that they can feel with their hands through their patient’s heads and returning their body to a balanced rhythm.

We encourage this episode for any listeners who are interested in learning more about OMM and how neuromuscular medicine can be an incredibly helpful and important treatment modality for all patients.

We hope you enjoy this interview. Although our previous episodes have clearly shown the attributes that make osteopathic physicians special, this interview demonstrates what makes us unique.

Today on D.O. or Do Not, we venture slightly “off the path” to try and help medical students applying for residencies in the “new post-graduate education” system.

To give some historical background, there previously were separate residency programs sponsored by the American Osteopathic Association (DO) and the American College of Graduate Medical Education (MD). Graduates of osteopathic medical school could apply for either. In 2018, the ACGME and AOA merged, allowing one residency pathway for MDs and DOs.

According to the ACGME, the reasons for the merger were to:

-provide high-quality and uniform graduate medical education accreditation

-eliminate the need for programs to choose a pathway

-reduce cost and increase efficiencies

-provide consistency

-allow all US medical graduates (both DO and MD) a uniform graduate education pathway

-preserve and protect osteopathic medical education

-increase opportunities for osteopathic graduate medical education and recognition.

Although this merger was meant to simplify the application process and is an exciting step for equality for the osteopathic profession, it leaves many new questions for DO student applicants.

To prepare for this episode, the staff of D.O. or Do Not surveyed DO students to determine what the most common questions were regarding application to residency and the merger.   We decided to split the episode into two parts, interviewing a program director from a program that was previously AOA-certified and a program director from a historically allopathic residency.

In the first part of this episode, we interview Dr. Cindy Hoffman. Dr. Hoffman is a DO and the program director of the dermatology residency program at St. Barnabas Hospital, one of the busiest hospitals in New York City. The program is affiliated with both Mt. Sinai School of Medicine and Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

In the second part of this episode, we will speak with Dr. Kyle Katona. Dr. Katona is an MD and the associate program director for the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell residency program in internal medicine. The residency is a university-based program supported by one of the largest health care systems in the United States, Northwell Health. It is situated on the border between Queens and Nassau County on Long Island, New York, and cares for a diverse group of patients.

In this episode of D.O. or Do Not, we interview Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum. Dr. Steinbaum is a board-certified cardiologist who has devoted her career not just to the treatment of heart disease but more importantly to its prevention.  Although she has had impressive post-doctoral training in allopathic institutions, there is no question that her philosophy is osteopathic.

Dr. Steinbaum was raised in an “osteopathic family” with a father and multiple relatives who were D.O. physicians. She is an alumna of Tufts University in Massachusetts and earned her D.O. degree from the A.T. Still University in Kirksville, Missouri. She continued on to do an internal medicine residency at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City and continued there as a cardiology fellow and ultimately attending physician. During her cardiology training, she participated in research including multiple landmark trials.

Dr. Steinbaum is a pioneer in cardiac rehabilitation and has a special interest in heart disease in women. She currently serves as a spokeswoman for the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign. Dr. Steinbaum has a private practice at the Juni Ash Integrative Health Center. Dr. Steinbaum is the author of the book "Every Woman's Guide to a Heart-Healthy Life."

Dr. Steinbaum is an inspiration to DOs and female physicians. We hope you enjoy the episode.

In today’s episode, we will be speaking with Dr. John Thurman. Dr. Thurman is a family medicine physician who attended medical school at A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency training at MacNeal Memorial Hospital in 2015.

Dr. Thurman’s history of leadership, however,  predates his career in medicine. Before medical school, Dr. Thurman attended West Point, the United States elite military academy. While at West Point, he commanded a company at Camp Buckner and was on battalion staff during the academic year. Dr. Thurman played football in college where he led the scout team.

In 2003, Dr. Thurman was deployed to Kuwait and later Iraq. When Dr. Thurman returned to the US, he took a position in admissions at West Point, where an unfortunate accident, although leading to hardship, put him on the path to becoming a community leader as a family practitioner in Iowa. Dr. Thurman speaks on his views of minority physicians, specifically African Americans in medicine, and provides insight to help others on their own personal journeys.

Dr. Humayun “Hank” J. Chaudhry is president and chief executive officer of the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) of the United States. The FSMB is the umbrella agency for all state medical licensing boards. Dr. Chaudhry graduated from New York University, NYITCOM, and Harvard School of Public Health. He is board-certified in internal medicine and completed his residency training at Winthrop University Hospital. In addition, he served as health commissioner for Suffolk County, a flight surgeon with the 732nd Airlift Squadron, and the medical operations flight commander for the 514th Aeromedical Staging Squadron of the 514th Air Mobility Wing.  He is the author of multiple books and textbooks, and was listed by Modern Healthcare magazine as "one of the 50 Most Influential Physician Executives and Leaders." We are incredibly lucky to be able to talk and listen to someone who has impacted so many of both patient and student lives. We hope you enjoy this episode.

"It's not about giving back. It's about paying it forward." 

Dr. Nichols is a true trailblazer. She worked as a family practitioner and became the first female dean at the Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she served for 16 years. During this time, she was elected president of the American Osteopathic Association. When we interviewed female physicians on our podcast, many identified Dr. Nichols as their mentor and role model. In 2015, Dr. Nichols was selected for the Distinguished Service Certificate, the highest honor awarded by the AOA, for her leadership.

Despite her modesty, Dr. Nichol’s CV places her as the first DO chair-elect of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, or ACGME, which, since the recent merger, accredits residencies and fellowships programs in the United States for both MDs and DOs. As you will quickly see from this interview, Dr. Nichols is a paradigm and inspiration for the osteopathic profession.

Currently, Dr. Katof has a busy internal medical practice, working with a physician assistant, and is employed by a large healthcare organization.

Dr. Katof practices in a small suburb of New York City and cares for thousands of patients, sometimes spanning three generations in one family.

He went to the elite University of Pennsylvania for his undergraduate education. After evaluating all of his options for medical school, he attended NYITCOM and graduated in 1999. After considering a career in radiology and gastroenterology, Dr. Katof completed his internal medicine residency at North Shore. After residency, he accepted a position with an established medical practice.

Unhappy with his decision, he proceeded to explore every permutation of internal medicine in a quest to find personal fulfillment and work-life balance.  Although Dr. Katof did not follow a “straight” path, he shares his journey, which we know will help future doctors with their own.

Please note we are not offering any individual financial advice in this episode; if you have questions, you should seek the help of a financial advisor.

In Part I of this episode, Dr. Ian Storch, D.O., has agreed to answer personal financial questions and share with us the decisions that he made during his physician’s journey. These choices, right or wrong, will be laid out as the basis for further discussion and analysis.

In Part II of the episode, Dr. Storch will talk with Dr. James Dahle, M.D. Dr. Dahle is the author of the acclaimed book and podcast "The White Coat Investor," a "household name" for every medical professional with financial questions.

Today's guest is not a D.O., but we think that he has helped osteopathic students, residents, and physicians enough that he and his financial advice warrant an interview.

https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com/

Welcome to our twelfth episode. Today, we have Dr. Tara Liberman. Dr. Liberman specializes in geriatric and palliative medicine. She graduated from NYITCOM in 2001 and completed her residency and fellowship at North Shore Manhasset. Dr. Liberman is an assistant professor at the Zucker School of Medicine and currently serves as associate chief of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, overseeing inpatient and outpatient clinical services. 

Dr.  Liberman has won multiple awards for her dedication to her field and compassion for patients. She provides an approach that improves the quality of life for patients and their families facing problems associated with life-threatening illnesses through prevention and relief of suffering. We hope you enjoy this episode.

Usually, we interview physicians; in this episode, however, we made an exception. We hope that this interview can provide insight for pre-medical students hoping to apply to osteopathic medical school. 

Janette Martin serves as director of admissions at Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine. She came to Idaho from Tennessee, where she worked as the director of admissions of an osteopathic medical school for over nine years. 

“We love having Janette at ICOM! I enjoy seeing her smiling face every time I see her on campus. I know I can always count on Janette to support me through medical school as well as be the energy I need on my toughest days,” said ICOM Student Doctor Dreher.

Janette is a valuable member of the ICOM team. She is hardworking and dedicated to finding students with the perfect fit for ICOM as well as the best candidates for future DOs.

Dr. Mirtha Macri is an emergency medicine physician in the new Netflix hit series "Lenox Hill."

She graduated from NYITCOM in 2008 and subsequently completed her residency at St. Luke's Hospital, now known as Mt. Sinai West. Dr. Macri will discuss important attributes needed for an emergency medicine physician, insight and tips into the residency process, her perspective on an osteopathic education, and her dedication to helping the underserved. 

Dr. Jason Golbin is the system chief quality officer and senior vice president of the Catholic Health Services of Long Island. Not only does Dr. Golbin oversee thousands of executive decisions, he is also board-certified in internal medicine, pulmonology, sleep medicine, critical care, as well as neuro-critical care. He obtained his medical degree from NYITCOM. He completed his internal medicine residency at Lenox Hill and went on to finish his fellowship at the prestigious Mayo Clinic.

We hope that his interview will give you insight into medical administration. 

Dr. Colleen McCally graduated from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2006 and went on to specialize in anesthesiology. She completed her residency at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Columbia Hospital and her fellowship at the New York School of Regional Anesthesia. In addition to practicing clinical anesthesiology, she is also the assistant director of East Shore Ambulatory Surgical Center.

In this episode, we will discuss her career successes and her fulfilling work-life balance.

This is the second episode in our new resident series. 

In this episode, we will be talking with Dr. Matthew Rosenzweig, an incoming abdominal transplant fellow at Baylor University Medical Center in Texas.

This is our first episode in our new resident series. 

In this episode, we will be talking with Dr. Ryan Moncman, a neurosurgical resident at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. 

Approach it with a good attitude, defined as: 

• working with diligence and a smile
• understand that the patient is always watching

Dr. David Elkowitz comes from a line of physicians, with his father being one of the founders of NYITCOM.  He trained as a pathologist and found early on in his career that he had a passion and skill for teaching students.   

For years, he was a professor at NYITCOM and was ultimately recruited by the progressive Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra University. Zucker is an MD institution where he now holds the title of Associate Dean.  Dr. Elkowitz wins teaching awards almost yearly and has inspired and mentored thousands of students over the years. 

On today’s episode of D.O. or Do Not, we will be talking with Dr. David Galinkin. Dr. Galinkin is an infectious disease expert who graduated from NYITCOM in 1998, did his IM residency at North Shore Manhasset, and completed his ID fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Today, he will take us through his journey in medicine and give us his thoughts on the COVID-19 situation. 

Welcome to our third episode. We hope that you and your family are staying safe and healthy during these challenging times. Our podcast will continue to give you high-quality interviews with relevant information from the safety of our homes. 

For our interview, we have Dr. Adena Leder, a board-certified neurologist with fellowship training in movement disorders. Dr. Leder graduated from NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1999 and completed her neurology residency at Long Island Jewish Medical Center and Montefiore Medical Center. She moved on to finish her movement disorder fellowship at Beth Israel Medical Center in 2004 and practiced clinical neurology for 10 years before joining NYITCOM.

Dr. Matt Nelson is an emergency medicine physician who received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from NYITCOM in 2001 and trained in emergency medicine at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. He was selected as chief resident in his final year and subsequently completed a fellowship in emergency ultrasound.

In addition to his numerous publications, he became program director of the prestigious emergency medicine residency at North Shore/LIJ-Zucker School of Medicine in 2014. As program director, Dr. Nelson has selected and trained hundreds of EM physicians, both DO and MD, over his career.  By reputation, both medical students and residents feel that their love of emergency medicine was fostered by Dr. Nelson and feel that their training would not be complete if he were not there to guide them in their training. Today, Dr. Nelson will not only shed light on his personal path to success but also give insight into what a residency looks for, particularly for osteopathic students, especially with the new changes recently instated by the NBME and USMLE.

In the first episode, we delve into the career path of Dr. Ian Storch, an accomplished gastroenterologist and founder of this series. Tune in to discover how he overcame numerous obstacles throughout his professional career as well as invaluable advice regarding how he achieved his career goals. 

Osteopathic Medicine is a distinct pathway for training physicians in the United States. There are currently 34 schools that have trained more than 145,000 practicing physicians. Osteopathic medicine has a holistic approach at its core and has historically been geared toward training primary care physicians. 

Learn who we are, why we're doing this, and what this podcast is about!

Hosted and produced by Ian Storch, D.O., and Tianyu She, OMS-III
Send all inquiries, comments, and suggestions to DOorDoNotPodcast@gmail.com