From the Classroom to the Clinic: Dr. Concepcion on Advocacy, Equity, and Empowering the Next Generation [EPISODE]

In this engaging interview, Dr. Concepcion joins Dr. Dana Corriel to reflect on her return to her high school as both a physician and podcaster, inspired by her article "Going Back to High School: How Speaking to Students Inspired Me." Dr. Concepcion shares how the experience reignited her passion for advocacy, particularly in educating the next generation about healthcare access and equity. She highlights the surprising depth of student questions, especially around the perceived exclusivity of direct primary care, and shares powerful stories from her practice that challenge that notion. The conversation also explores the role of podcasting as a tool for storytelling and human connection, emphasizing how physicians can use their voices to bridge gaps and inspire change. Throughout, Dr. Concepcion’s insights reinforce the importance of early healthcare education, authentic communication, and the potential impact of empowering young minds to become informed advocates for themselves and their communities. Watch the video here: https://doctorsonsocialmedia.com/from-the-classroom-to-the-clinicThis episode touches on:The practice of DPC was touched on, and can be seen discussed in the series about the topic, and starring Dr. Concepcion in Their DPC Stories, here.Dr. Concepcion hosts a regular podcast on the topic, called My DPC Story, where you can hear even more about this rtype of practice. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST → https://www.doctorsonsocialmedia.com/podcastOUR DIRECTORIES → https://www.doctorsonsocialmedia.com/directories Transcript: Dr. Dana Corriel (00:05):I'd like to welcome Dr. Maryal Concepcion, and I’m feeling pretty great that I got the pronunciation right! We're here to discuss her article titled "Going Back to High School: How Speaking to Students Inspired Me." Dr. Concepcion, please introduce yourself and tell our audience a bit more about you.Dr. Maryal Concepcion (00:30):Thank you so much for having me! I’m excited to be here. I’m a full-scope family medicine physician practicing in rural Northern California. I own a direct primary care clinic and host a weekly podcast focused on DPC. I’m really happy to share more about my recent experience speaking at my old high school.Dr. Corriel (00:51):Fantastic! Let’s dive right in. What was it like stepping back into your high school—this time as a physician and podcaster? What did that full-circle moment feel like?Dr. Concepcion (01:06):Even though I’m 42, I didn’t feel that age walking into my high school again. It felt like only 15 years had passed. Being back there brought back so many good memories. It felt like home—but this time, I was standing in front of a new generation. I was a little intimidated at first, wondering how familiar they were with podcasting, but it turned out many of them were not only familiar—they were producing their own shows about teachers and alumni! I wasn’t too nervous; I just wasn’t sure what kinds of questions they’d ask. Dr. Corriel (02:06):You spoke to the students about the power of podcasting. What do you think makes podcasting such an effective tool for advocacy and storytelling—especially in healthcare?Dr. Concepcion (02:19):The conversation with the students actually evolved into one about both podcasting and healthcare, which I found fascinating. Unlike when I graduated in 2000, today’sSend us a message to tell us what you loved about the show!Doctorsonsocialmedia.com, or SoMeDocs for short, is a healthcare omnimedia platform committed to promoting autonomy for the individuals in healthcare. Subscribe to our newsletter to not miss our new articles, episodes, or events: https://doctorsonsocialmedia.com/subscribe. Contact us anytime, at [email protected]  (please note that we receive many emails and may not respond to all).