Shadow Me Next!

Most people hear “psych” and picture two options: talk therapy or life-altering medication. Whar so many of us miss is an entire world of careers. I sit down with licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Christal Badour to make the landscape of psychology finally feel clear, practical, and real, including what psychologists do, what psychiatrists do, and why that difference matters for patients. We get specific about scientific psychology and evidence based mental health care. Dr. Badour walks us through what psychology research can look like, from brain MRI studies and genetics to applied studies on risk factors, PTSD, panic disorder, and which treatment approaches help the most people. We talk about the less visible but high impact work too: implementation science, training clinicians to use proven tools, and translating findings into policy so insurance reimbursement supports the best care instead of blocking access. If research has ever felt intimidating, this conversation reframes it as a skill you can learn and a space where curiosity matters more than perfection. Then we shift into trauma psychology, trauma informed care, and what surprises her across survivors of different kinds of violence, including systemic trauma and war related experiences seen through telehealth. We explore the common emotional thread of self blame, guilt, and shame, and why the first response from a healthcare provider can shape recovery. Dr. Badour also explains forensic psychology, including assessments for personal injury, disability, sentencing mitigation, and immigration or asylum cases, plus what inspired her public education platform ScienceForSurvivors.com. Subscribe for more conversations on the human side of medicine, share this with someone choosing a career in mental health, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show.To connect with Dr. Christal Badour: Instagram | WebsiteSupport the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

You can study medicine for years and still feel unprepared for the moment you deliver news that changes someone’s life, then immediately have to walk into the next room and do it all again. That emotional handoff is one of the most invisible skills in healthcare, and it’s exactly what we unpack with Michelle Nesky, The Posh PA, who has spent more than 20 years as a physician assistant in oncology.We get practical about what oncology care really looks like: the difference between medical oncology, surgical oncology, and radiation oncology, and why treatment goals can range from cure to recurrence prevention to long-term control of metastatic disease. Michelle shares how she “resets” between patient encounters, why you have to process hard moments instead of stuffing them down, and how relationship-heavy cancer care changes the way you communicate. We also talk about the game-changing shift toward immunotherapy, biomarker testing, and personalized cancer treatment, plus a reality check on chemotherapy side effects and how far supportive care has come.Then we pivot to the other side of her work: helping future PAs get accepted. Applying to PA school through CASPA can be uniquely stressful because prerequisites and requirements vary across programs, and a small mistake can cost you an interview. Michelle breaks down what strong applicants do differently with essays, strategy, and interview prep, including the kind of “emotional reset” question that separates good candidates from unforgettable ones.If this helped you, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a review so more pre-PA students and healthcare learners can find Shadow Me Next.Youtube @theposhpaInstagram @michele.theposhpaTikTok @michele.theposhpaLinkedIn | Website Support the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

Not knowing is not the problem. Hiding it is.Jordan Kessler works as a critical care PA in a neuro ICU, where the alarms are loud, the decisions are fast, and uncertainty is constant. We talk about the skill nobody grades you on in PA school or pre-med tracks: how to communicate clearly when you are not sure yet. That single habit shapes patient safety, team trust, and how quickly you grow from “new grad” to steady clinician.We also take a look at the real ICU ecosystem, including the clinicians people forget to mention, and how Jordan’s early career in trauma shifted into intensive care during COVID. From pressors and procedures to three-hour rounds, we break down what an ICU day actually looks like and why the best teams rely on repeatable frameworks like a strong one-liner and SBAR style communication. Jordan shares why mentorship can be excellent in critical care and still feel inconsistent day to day, plus how she is building practical tools through ICU Clinician’s Compass to close the gap between knowing the medicine and fitting into ICU culture with confidence.If you are a pre-health student, PA student, or new clinician considering critical care, we also talk through what post-graduate critical care fellowships typically include and who they can help most. Listen, share this with a friend who is stepping into a new clinical role, and then subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: what do you say when you do not know yet?Connect with the guest: LinkedIn | WebsiteSupport the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

You can do everything “right” in healthcare and still feel like you’re missing the point. That’s the tension we discuss with Dr John Oberg, a clinician, entrepreneur, and behavioral science thinker who has worked across medicine, business, and AI. We talk about the trap of chasing knowledge and productivity without building the skills that matter: clear thinking, real connection, and the ability to meet people where they are.Dr Oberg shares the story behind Priscina Health and why chronic disease outcomes improve when you redesign care around behavior, access, and agency. We examine AI in healthcare. AI agents can take on repetitive work and information-heavy tasks, but tools still require critical thinking, judgment, and empathy. We connect that to longevity and burnout, including the idea of eustress vs distress and the importance of exercising your brain and emotions the way you exercise muscle. And finally, we wrap with tangible ways to build community through mentorship and LinkedIn, because isolation is not a career strategy.If you want a career in medicine that’s effective, human, and resilient, hit subscribe, share this with a friend who’s in training, and leave a review with the skill you’re working on most right now.To connect with our guest John Oberg: Website | Linked In | Instagram | PodcastSupport the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

A 16-year-old with lupus asked an honest question: “How does my diet affect my disease? and it chamged everything for Kerry Jenkins. She discusses being a seasoned derm PA who traded 15-minute appointment slots and quick fixes for a slower, systems-based approach that treats skin as a mirror of the gut, immune system, liver, hormones, and stress. The story isn’t a takedown of conventional care; it’s a blueprint for pairing acute-care excellence with root-cause medicine that finally makes sense of chronic conditions.From acne, eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, and lupus to complex fatigue and brain fog, we follow the path beyond band-aids: elimination of inflammatory drivers, smarter nutrition, sleep and stress repair, and targeted therapies that help the body do its job again. We also speak directly to clinicians and students: build a strong primary care base, know when to rule out the dangerous stuff, then integrate evidence-based lifestyle medicine. Curiosity from patients (even when sparked by Google or AI) is not a threat: it’s an invitation to partner.If this conversation shifts how you see chronic disease, share it with a colleague, subscribe for more grounded, patient-first insights, and leave a review to help others find the show.To connect with Kerry: whisper health | whispering wisdom | Instagram Support the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

What are we still missing when service members come home “intact” on paper but feel amputated in spirit? We sit down with Rachel Howard, a 14‑year Army National Guard combat medic, purple heart recipient, VA program developer, and now U.S. Senate candidate, to trace a path from convoy medicine and CBRN readiness to building one of the first VA post‑deployment respiratory clinics, where patients had real symptoms and “normal” tests. The common theme is service: how identity forms under pressure, why it fractures after discharge, and what it takes to stitch purpose back together.Rachel breaks down what combat medics actually do, the messy overlap between emergency response and daily primary care needs, and the hidden exposures veterans face: from burn pits to sandstorms and solvents. Our “Quality Questions” segment arms pre‑health listeners with an interview‑ready mindset: listen first, map patterns, and navigate uncertainty without dismissing patients.Then comes the major pivot: why Rachel left a job she loved to run for office, and why healthcare leaders must shape policy before policy breaks care. Boots‑on‑ground voices understand trade‑offs, workflow, and consequences in a way white papers rarely capture. If you care about veterans’ health, diagnostic blind spots, and smarter healthcare policy, this conversation offers practical insight and a challenge to lead where you stand.Enjoy the episode? Subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review to help others find the show. Got thoughts or questions? Message us on Instagram or Facebook and join the conversation.Connect with Rachel Howard: Instagram | TikTok | LinkedIn | Website Support the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

What if AI could run every clinical protocol and you (the clinician) still felt more essential than ever? We sit down with Dr. Chris Seitz (board-certified in emergency medicine, licensed in all 50 states, and now CEO of Guardian Medical Direction) to rethink how modern care is built, supervised, and scaled. From trauma bays to telehealth, Chris shares why the “medicine is the medicine,” and how a functional, personalized mindset can live inside algorithm-driven environments without losing rigor.We dig into the oversight gap that stops many great ideas at the door. Outside the hospital, nurses, PAs, and NPs hit a maze of state-by-state rules on ownership, supervision, and scope. The future theme is clear: let AI handle the checklist work while humans do the healing work. For students and early-career clinicians, we offer a challenge worth writing down: if AI runs the pathways, what unique value will you bring? Learn the business basics now, notice where presence beats memorization, and design a career that restores your craft.If this conversation sparked a new way to see your role in healthcare, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review with the one moment that changed how you think about your value.Support the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

What does it really take to last in medicine?In this episode of Shadow Me Next, I sit down with Johnnie Gilpen, a veteran, first responder, and pediatric emergency medicine PA whose path into medicine was anything but linear. Told multiple times that he would never get into PA school, Johnnie shares how resilience, relationships, and reflection shaped a decades-long journey that ultimately led him into leadership, education, and service.This conversation explores not just how to get into medicine, but how to stay human once you’re there.Connect with Johnnie : Instagram | AmazonSupport the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

What if the moment that wrecked your plan ended up shaping your purpose?Follow Dr. Shanea Clancy along the real (and difficult) road to forensic nursing, starting with a fatal EMS tragedy, two jobs, an accelerated program, and the choice to keep going when quitting felt easier. This isn’t a glossy success story. It’s grit, structure, and a deep belief that no one can take your education away.We learn about forensic nursing beyond TV: trauma-informed care, mental health and addiction, chart reviews, death investigations, and what it actually means to serve as an expert witness. Dr. Clancy also reframes addiction in a way that might surprise you and challenges how we think about control, coping, and responsibility.If you’re a student or early in your career, there’s a lot here for you. We talk about finding mentors when you didn’t grow up with access, asking better shadowing questions, and staying coachable so doors can open. And we get into her mountaineering mindset: why resilience isn’t just pushing harder, but knowing when to reset so you don’t burn out on the climb.Connect with Dr. Shanea Clancy: Website | Instagram | TikTok | LinkedInSupport the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

What if heart attacks weren’t a surprise? Dr. Jeffrey Boone of Boone Heart Institute shows how imaging plus modern meds can make heart disease optional. Bold claim, big data. Listen and tell us: would you get scanned before symptoms?Connect with Dr. Boone Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BooneHeartInstituteInstagram: @booneheartinstitute  TikTok: @booneheart LinkedIn: Boone Heart InstituteWebsite https://www.booneheart.com/Support the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

What if medicine chooses you before you choose it? In this episode of Shadow Me Next, I sit down with Roberts Essex, a seasoned physician assistant who chose to speak under a pen name so he could tell his story honestly. He is a veteran PA with decades across emergency medicine, hospital medicine, and public health, to unpack a life shaped by faith, service, and the quiet power of human connection. Writing under a pen name to protect sensitive details, he shares the personal journey behind his memoir, Chance Beginnings, and the lessons he wants the next generation to carry forward.We discuss the moments that form a clinician’s core: learning to listen like a detective, making contact in a world that forgot how to touch during COVID, and finding purpose when the system feels indifferent. Roberts traces the evolution of the PA role from “scut work” to frontline leadership, explains where resistance still shows up (from pharmacy boards to professional associations) and makes a case for partnership over rivalry with physician colleagues. His take on burnout is both candid and compassionate: reflect, pray, keep going one patient at a time, or step back if you must; wisdom is knowing which season you are in.The conversation also tackles the controversial PA title change and why words can either open doors or trigger unnecessary fights. Roberts urges us to be known by outcomes, trust, and presence, not branding alone. We close with practical steps for students and clinicians: answer the “quality question” about your past with insight instead of denial, get involved in policy where it affects patient access, and use storytelling to sharpen empathy and teach what can’t be scripted.Subscribe, share with a friend who needs encouragement, and leave a review with your take: title or impact, which matters more and why?Roberts Exxes book Chance Beginnings is available on Amazon. Support the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

Sleepless nights rarely start in the bedroom. They usually begin with a racing mind, a tender story, or a belief we’re afraid to say out loud. We sit down with Dr. Benjamin Long, a dual board certified sleep medicine physician and pediatrician, military doctor, and author, to explore how real rest happens when data meets dignity and treatment meets presence.We trace Dr. Long's journey from a 12-year-old who dreamed of pediatrics to a resident whose sleep rotation “clicked” and changed his career. He detilas the inner workings of sleep medicine: interpreting home tests and in-lab polysomnography, spotting pediatric apnea from a shaky phone video, and guiding exhausted parents through evidence-based behavioral tools. Beyond the monitors, he shows why the most common insomnia profile is the overthinker and how sleep deprivation rewires the brain (dimming the prefrontal cortex while turning up the amygdala) making focus sink and emotions swell.What makes this conversation different is how Dr. Long integrates meaning into medicine. He takes a simple spiritual history (Is spirituality or religion important in your daily life?) in order to understand the patient’s inner world. That single question can surface existential worry, religious trauma, or grief that keeps people awake. We compare modern “clock in, clock out” systems with the relational roots of care, and hear vivid stories from military medicine that brought community pediatrics back to life: neighbors at the door, newborns on the dining table, trust built one late-night knock at a time.If anxiety scripts your nights, you’ll leave with a practical tool: scheduled worry time. Set a daily, non-bedroom window to write every concern, expect a brief spike in worries, and retrain your mind over four to six weeks to save rumination for that container. Ben’s Sleep Habits Journal weaves medical strategies with reflective prompts to help anyone—faith-oriented or not—calm an overactive mind and reclaim rest.Join us for a clear, compassionate guide to better sleep, smarter habits, and the courage to listen to what your insomnia is trying to say. If this conversation helped you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so others can find it.To connect with Dr. Benjamin Long, MD, please check out: Instagram – thewholeheartedmd TikTok – thewholeheartedmdLinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-long-md-6384b8257/thewholeheartedmd.com  https://www.SleepHabitsJournal.com/Support the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

The quietest lifesaving moments often happen between a slammed door and a deep breath. We sit down with crisis mental health clinician and SWAT negotiator Jessi Beyer to unpack what it really takes to bring a volatile scene down, earn trust in minutes, and move someone from danger toward safety. Jessie works nights alongside law enforcement on 911 calls involving suicidal ideation, psychosis, and severe substance use, and she opens up about the tools that work when nothing else seems to.You’ll hear how a winding path from vet school to EMT to graduate studies in trauma and terrorism shaped a clinician who knows her lane and thrives in it. Jessi breaks down tips for de‑escalation you can use anywhere: matching tone without escalating, reflecting the exact pain under the behavior, and delivering the one line that can drop someone from a ten to a six. We talk about realistic definitions of success in crisis care, why “alive tonight” is often the right metric, and how clean handoffs and community resources reduce reliance on emergency rooms and revolving-door hospitalizations.We also confront a blind spot: up to 75% of people who die by suicide see a primary care clinician within a year. Jessi offers practical, time‑smart suicide screening questions any clinician can use, along with ways to sit in discomfort and listen without rushing to fix. And for trauma survivors who don’t thrive with talk therapy, we explore evidence‑supported alternatives like dance/movement therapy, canine- and equine-assisted work, and ecotherapy, drawing from Jessi's book on natural therapies.If you’re a clinician, student, or curious listener, this conversation delivers actionable skills, candid stories, and a humane framework for care under pressure. Subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave a review to tell us which de‑escalation tip you’ll try this week.Connect with Jessi Beyer at: Website: https://jessibeyerinternational.com/Instagram: @itsjessibeyerSupport the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

What happens when the humanity of oncology collides with the creative engine of biotech? We sit down with Dr. Satya (Nanu) Das, a former gastrointestinal oncologist who left a thriving academic career to build the next generation of cancer therapies. He walks us through his turning points:  carrying patients’ stories home, confronting the limits of “approved” treatments, and realizing that trial design (who gets included, what’s measured, and how fast signals are found) can change lives at scale.We define biotech, from large biopharma to smaller startups, and how clinicians fit into two powerful tracks: clinical development, where protocols are designed and drugs move from first-in-human to pivotal studies; and medical affairs, where data becomes real-world practice through education and access. Dr. Das shares why oncology is inherently experimental, how phase boundaries are blurring, and why targeting biology instead of tumor labels opens doors for rare and understudied cancers. The conversation also gets personal: the emotional calculus of reconciling individual disappointment with collective success, and the courage it takes to “bet on yourself” when outcomes aren’t guaranteed.If you’ve wondered whether a move from clinic to industry means leaving patients behind, you’ll hear a different story: one where debate beats hierarchy, evidence beats eminence, and collaboration is the default. We compare the instant gratification of patient care with the slower, high-stakes creativity of drug development, explore policy’s role in FDA consistency, and highlight how patient narratives can keep standards focused on what truly matters. Subscribe, share with a colleague who’s biotech-curious, and leave a review! If you are a practicing clinician, a pre-health, pre-med, pre-pa or pre-nursing student, or someone who is interested in how our drugs are made, you'll want to give this a listen. Support the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

What if your hardest seasons became the fuel for your life’s most meaningful work? We sit down with Dr. Oluwole Babatunde, a physician who turned early loss, cross-continental training, and relentless study into a compassionate career in psychiatry. From medical school and public health in Nigeria to a PhD in epidemiology and psychiatry residency in the United States, his story shows how purpose and discipline can shape resilience that lasts.We explore how global research exposure sharpened his analytics, how humility and grit powered a move that meant starting over, and why psychiatry emerged as the place where his lived experience meets his clinical skill. Dr. Babatunde opens up about cases where depression and anxiety intertwine with life stressors like job loss, divorce, and homelessness, and how listening for the trigger matters as much as the treatment plan. He shares what faith looks like in practice without preaching: values that guide every interaction, quiet habits that sustain hope, and the simple, sincere goal of sending patients out ready to be the best version of themselves.You’ll also get a tour of his book, Adapt and Advance, and its MAPLAMP framework. We break down how to find meaning in hardship, convert big dreams into daily actions, plan with clarity, build networks that protect your growth, and anchor your work in a personal mission. If you’ve ever wondered how to hold steady through change, or how faith and evidence can coexist in mental health care, this conversation offers both a philosophy and a toolkit you can use today.If this episode sparks something for you, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs encouragement, and leave a review to help others find these stories. Your support helps us bring more human, practical conversations to your feed every week.To hear more about Dr. Babatunde, please visit his website.Purchase his book Adapt and Advance on amazon. Support the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

A 97% pulse ox can lull anyone into a false sense of safety, until ventilation fails and the patient quietly slips into danger. That tension between what looks stable and what is actually happening runs through our conversation with Dr. Julie Siemers, whose 46 years in nursing span ICU, trauma, helicopter medicine, academia, and leadership. We explore the moments that forged her commitment to advocacy (like the 90‑year‑old man without a family voice) and unpack why preventable harm is not just tragic, but systemic and solvable.We walk through failure to rescue in plain language: failure to recognize, failure to act, and failure to communicate. Julie shares her “seven pillars” that anchor clinical judgment: vital signs, neuro assessment, labs and critical values, hydration and intake/output, diagnostics, communication, and escalation, showing how small signals add up hours before a crash. We dig into oxygenation versus ventilation, why respiratory rate is an early warning sign, and how opioids and sleep apnea can create a perfect storm, even when SpO2 looks good.Culture matters as much as protocols. From air medical missions where airway and safety beat speed, to interprofessional exercises where authority gradients surface early, Julie argues that respect, clarity, and closed‑loop communication are life‑saving tools. We talk about simulation that builds confidence under pressure, Lifebeat Solutions focused courses that retrain judgment in one‑hour bites, and the readiness gap across professions that puts patients at risk.Families are part of the safety team. You’ll learn how to ask sharper questions, use CUS words (Concerned, Uncomfortable, Safety issue), work the chain of command, and even choose safer hospitals with public safety grades. It’s a practical, human roadmap for anyone who wants to catch deterioration sooner, speak up with impact, and make care safer shift by shift, conversation by conversation.To learn more, please visit: drjuliesiemers.comSupport the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

We start with a simple question: what is your why? Today we sit down with Dr. Ken Botelho, a seasoned primary care PA and the founding director behind a new Doctor of Medical Science program, to explore how purpose, presence, and mentorship shape better clinicians and healthier teams. From the first lab review of the morning to the final patient call, he shows how showing up as a human can stabilize more than symptoms.We dig into the realities of primary care right now: musculoskeletal injuries at the front door, diabetes and cardiometabolic risk on the rise, and anxiety and depression woven through many visits. With psychiatric access limited, primary care becomes the first line, demanding both clinical confidence and emotional skill. Ken shares how small choices (language, pacing, asking one more question) unlock trust and lead to better decisions. He also spotlights the hidden engines of the clinic: front desk teams, medical assistants, and call center staff who set the tone and carry the follow-through that make or break outcomes.Then we step into education and leadership. Ken explains how the DMSc can elevate a PA’s career by formalizing mentorship, recognizing transition-to-practice learning, and turning precepting into structured academic credit. Teaching is a performance enhancer; it forces clarity, protects professionalism, and reveals the nuance we usually process silently. You’ll hear practical examples, like when to drop the white coat to build rapport, how to read the room, and why knowing a patient’s story changes the plan before the chief complaint is finished.We close with a Quality Question worth keeping in your pocket: what is your why? Use it to unfreeze an interview answer, reset a tough visit, or guide a leadership decision. If this conversation gave you something useful, follow Shadow Me Next, subscribe for new episodes, and share it with a pre-health friend. You can find out more about Dr. Botelho at his LinkedIn pageOr visit The College of St. Scholastica directly.Support the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

Curiosity is a skill, and it can carry a medical career farther than raw talent. We sit down with interventional gastroenterologist Dr. Doug Adler to unpack 30 years of change in training, technology, and the mindset it takes to serve patients well. From the rise of gap years and research-heavy applications to the moment you realize you’re responsible for another human life, Doug brings candid advice and memorable stories that cut through the noise.We dig into why GI is now one of the most in-demand specialties: broad organ systems, high-impact procedures, and advances that turned yesterday’s surgeries into today’s same-day endoscopy. Dr. Adler breaks down important techniques, evolving devices, and the practical realities of staying current so you never become the clinician practicing like it’s 1998. For students and early clinicians, the conversation turns to professionalism and presence. Everything is part of the interview: your tone, pacing, clothing, and judgment under mild pressure. You’ll get a simple exercise to test whether your delivery inspires TRUST. And because a full life fuels better medicine, Doug opens up about flying single‑engine planes and writing about aerospace, space exploration, and the people who inspired him as a kid.More about Dr. Adler at: podcast: GIE X (twitter): @DouglasAdlerMDSupport the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

Connect with Dr. Duffy at: aimeeduffymd.comFeeling “fine” on paper but worn out in real life? We sit down to virtually shadow Dr. Amiee Duffy, a board-certified family physician and founder of Carolina Integrative Medicine. Dr. Duffy traded seven-minute visits for two-hour conversations and a root-cause approach that helps patients actually feel well. Her journey from delivering babies and teaching residents to building an integrative, functional practice reveals how time, testing, and trust can change outcomes.We learn crucial definitions so you can navigate Medicine with clarity: what board certification means, how integrative medicine blends modalities like nutrition, PT, and talk therapy into conventional care, and why functional medicine pushes deeper to restore physiology. Dr. Duffy explains how bioidentical hormones, advanced stool and cortisol testing, and inflammation markers can uncover why “normal” labs still leave people tired, foggy, and inflamed. She shares the turning point after the Women’s Health Initiative, the pitfalls of one-size-fits-all hormone fear, and the practical safeguards that keep therapy both effective and safe.She explains why your gut health matters. We connect microbiome balance, barrier integrity, and nutrient absorption to immune function, brain fog, insulin resistance, and hormone stability. You’ll hear how addressing the gut often unlocks better sleep, steadier mood, and true metabolic change, even when GI symptoms aren’t obvious. We also talk career flexibility for trainees and clinicians: why pre-education, structured wellness programs, and a systems approach help patients commit and thrive, and how longer visits make space for the science and the story.It's access you want and stories you need. You're always invited to Shadow Me Next! Support the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

To learn more about Dr. Aaron Hartman, visit: aaronhartmanmd.comDr. Aaron Hartman—triple board certified in family, integrative, and functional medicine—walks us through his path from military rounds and high-volume private practice to a more deliberate, patient-first model. We unpack how evidence-based medicine lost two of its three legs, why publication bias distorts what we read, and how overlooked data from neuromodulation, nutrition, and environmental health can outpace costly procedures. From a $300 stim device that relaxed spasticity and avoided a $400k surgery, to low-dose naltrexone for neuroinflammation, to butyrate’s modern biochemical validation of an ancient insight, we connect research to real-world wins.You’ll hear how he rebuilt clinic life around longer visits, smaller panels, and a foundation of sleep, nutrition, movement, relationships, and micronutrient, and then layered in precision labs, peptides, hyperbaric oxygen, and targeted devices when needed. We talk candidly about mitochondrial toxicity from common drugs, the gut microbiome’s role in medication metabolism, and the hidden costs of “that’s just how it is."Support the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

Want a front-row seat to the human side of sexual health and urology? We sit down with Dr. Stephanie “Dr. Z” Zwonitzer, a urology and sexual health nurse practitioner, to explore how candor, education, and empathy turn the most awkward appointments into moments of relief and real progress. From the first conversation to the follow-up high five, Dr. Z shows how evidence-based care—and a little humor—can rebuild confidence, intimacy, and connection.We trace her path from ICU nurse to doctor of nursing practice and unpack the decision to move from carrying out orders to understanding the why behind them. Along the way, we widen the lens on what urology actually covers: erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, low testosterone, prostate care and BPH, overactive bladder, recurrent UTIs, Peyronie’s disease, pelvic pain, and the genitourinary syndrome of menopause. Dr. Z explains how she tailors treatment across ages and goals, collaborating with surgeons on implants and reconstructive options while championing lifestyle, relationship dynamics, and mental health as part of the plan.You’ll hear pragmatic strategies for making vulnerable topics feel safe, managing time in a high-volume clinic without losing the human touch, and navigating patient research from Google to AI with respect and clarity. We talk wins that matter—finishing a hike without scouting for bathrooms, restoring erections after years of frustration, and replacing shame with knowledge. Plus, a student-focused segment on tough interview questions and why owning mistakes builds trust and resilience.If you care about sexual wellness, urology, and whole-person care, this conversation delivers practical insights and a refreshing dose of honesty. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs it, and leave a review to tell us what sexual health myth you want us to tackle next.To learn more about Dr. Z: Podcast: Between the SheetsWebsite: betweenthesheetswithdrz.comInstagram: @betweenthesheetswithdrzSupport the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

The most powerful moments in medicine often unfold after the diagnosis, in the quiet where plans are made and hope is rebuilt. Join us as we sit down with Dr. Kristen Cain, a physician who is double board certified in OBGYN and reproductive endocrinology and infertility. She traces a winding path from a mismatched residency to a specialty that blends precise science with unmatched patient care. We walk through how Dr. Cain leads two clinics while keeping patient education clear and compassionate, from first consults to delivering hard news and reframing the next step. She takes us inside the embryology lab, spotlighting the skilled scientists whose fine motor control and calm focus power modern fertility breakthroughs like preimplantation genetic testing and embryo assessment. One powerful moment of this conversation is a simple idea: do only what only you can do, and get help for the rest. Dr. Cain shares how she merged medicine and motherhood by auditing tasks, delegating strategically, and setting boundaries that protect energy for work that matters and family that needs her. She also offers concrete guidance on negotiating job terms early, building supportive teams at home and in clinic, and saying yes with intention.To learn more about Dr. Cain, connect with her at: Website: www.drkristencain.com (Check out her free guide!!)Instagram: @drkcainLinkedIn: Kristen Cain MDSupport the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

What if the most important part of your hospital stay happens after you leave? We sit down with a seasoned hospitalist who treats complex conditions on the floor and still argues that health is mostly made at home, at work, and in the community. From refeeding syndrome and new-onset renal failure to the familiar rhythms of CHF and COPD, she shows how the real challenge isn’t just diagnosing accurately, it’s designing a plan that survives insurance hurdles, pharmacy costs, transportation gaps, and the realities of daily life.We'll step inside the team-based engine of inpatient care: bedside nurses who catch subtle changes, therapists who prevent setbacks with the right equipment and diet choices, and case managers who translate a great medical plan into something you can actually access. We talk plainly about burnout, the limits of what a prescription can fix, and why a policy lens helped convert her frustration into a Harvard degree.Her career path wasn’t straight. She moved from neuroscience to psychiatry to internal medicine, rejected the ICU after listening to her body’s signals, and found a home in hospital medicine. That honesty becomes practical guidance for students: keep moving forward, define today’s answer, and trust resilience over perfection. We also spotlight her book, Prescription For Admission, a patient-first guide to navigating hospital stays, asking better questions, and preparing for a safe return home.Finally, we tackle the chaos of health advice on social media. Learn how to decide who deserves your trust, what evidence literacy looks like, and how to align sources with your values without falling for trends. If you care about safer discharges, smarter care plans, and credible information in a noisy world, this conversation will change how you think about the hospital and about health itself. To connect with Dr. Monique Nugent: LinkedIn: moniquenugent-mdmph/Instagram: the_happiest_hospitalistTikTok: Mnugent-happiesthospitalistAmazon: Prescription for AdmissionPodcast: Prescription for AdmissionSupport the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

A surgeon stands at a national podium, defends operating on children with severe obesity, and gets asked how he sleeps at night. Two decades later, he’s helped shape national guidelines and is building new ways for families to access care. That is what defines our candid conversation with Dr. Evan Nadler, a pioneer in pediatric bariatric surgery and a person who refuses to accept shame as a treatment plan.We unpack how a field many didn’t know existed emerged from careful trials, relentless follow-up, and tough conversations with colleagues and parents. Dr. Nadler explains why “eat less, move more” is not a strategy but a slogan, how weight and health are not perfectly linked, and what it means to treat childhood obesity as a chronic disease with individualized options: lifestyle support, medications when appropriate, and surgery for the right patients. He shares the moment he paused a thriving surgical career to write a book, launch a telemedicine program, and scale advocacy for the 15 million children who need help now.Access is the theme  of this story. Long waitlists and long drives leave families stranded, but a remote-first pediatric weight management model lowers barriers and personalizes care. We also talk about age cutoffs, why arbitrary numbers don’t belong in disease treatment, and how clinicians across different specialties can speak about weight with precision and compassion. Dr. Nadler is building training modules for advanced practice providers to close education gaps and equip more teams to act.This episode is for you if you’ve ever wondered how medicine changes when data meets conviction. To connect with Dr. Evan Nadler, please visit: YouTube: @ obesityexplainedLinkedIn: Evan Nadler, MD, MBAInstagram: @obesity_explainedwww.obesityexplained.com [email protected] the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

What does it take to run toward chaos and know you will like the result? We sit down with Dr. Josh McConkey, an emergency physician, Air Force Reserve commander, and combat veteran, for a candid tour of the ER and the deeper forces that sustain a life in medicine. From managing codes to navigating the “bread and butter” of primary care concerns that flood emergency departments, Dr. McConkey explains how humility, teamwork, and a calm mind matter most.We dig into his “Weight Behind the Spear” philosophy. It's an ethos born from years with special operations teams and grounded in a simple truth: great performers are built by great communities. Teachers, coaches, mentors, neighbors are the people who shape the leaders we count on when it matters most. Josh shares how volunteering, coaching youth sports, and serving face-to-face are not résumé fluff but the fastest route to real resilience, communication skills, and interview-ready stories that stand out beyond grades. He offers practical advice for pre-health students and clinicians on building confidence under pressure, seeking discomfort on purpose, and finding purpose that lasts.To connect with Dr. Josh McConkey, find him at any of the following: Instagram: @JoshMcConkeyMDLinkedIn: Josh McConkey, MDWebsites: joshmcconkeyforamerica.com and joshmcconkey.comBook: Be The Weight Behind the Spear Support the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

What if losing your “secure” job became the moment you claimed real freedom? That’s the turning point we explore with PA Fedna Morensi as she traces a winding path from athletic training and dance dreams to orthopedic surgery and a locum lifestyle that funds her time, not her burnout. We dig into the human side of medicine—identity, resilience, and service—while getting specific about the business decisions schools rarely teach.Fedna breaks down the mechanics of travel PA work: licensing and credentialing timelines, navigating recruiters, spotting restrictive clauses, and balancing higher pay with responsibility. We compare W‑2 stability to 1099 flexibility in plain language, then go a layer deeper on forming an S‑corp, structuring benefits, and turning gross pay into lasting wealth. The conversation balances numbers with meaning: how rural communities gain access when a clinician shows up, how diverse teams sharpen your clinical toolbox, and why six to nine months of focused work can create the space for rest, learning, and life.You’ll hear candid stories from multi‑specialty ortho, lessons from contracts that didn’t pan out, and a practical framework for evaluating offers—pay, schedule, call, autonomy, and culture. We talk interview strategy (career is part of you, not all of you), the myth of job security versus the reality of skill security, and a mindset shift that treats financial literacy as patient care insurance. For resources, Fedna shares her site with free guides, a growing “Travel PA Your Way to Wealth” community, and social handles to keep the conversation going.If you’re a pre‑health student mapping your route or a clinician ready to redesign your work, this is your field guide to locums, contracts, and buying back time with intention. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs this playbook, and leave a review telling us the first freedom you’d buy with better career design.Follow Fedna on instagram and LinkedIn or check out her website! Support the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

What if the most powerful tool in your clinical toolkit isn’t a monitor or a protocol, but a feeling you’ve learned to trust? We sit down with ER nurse Jenn Johnson to follow her unexpected path from failing organic chemistry to thriving in emergency care. She began in a tiny rural hospital where one RN ran the show, then in a major stroke center with full support and faster medicine. Along the way, Jenn exposes the hidden curriculum of healthcare: how culture shapes confidence, why bullying and micromanagement derail good care, and how real resilience starts with better sleep, better boundaries, and saying yes to yourself without guilt.Jenn opens up about the COVID years, stressed with parenting two small kids while working nights, running on fragments of sleep, and realizing that self-preservation is patient safety. She breaks down the practical side of intuition as high-speed pattern recognition at triage: spotting “sick vs really sick,” acting before vitals crash, and asking the awkward questions that prevent disasters in the waiting room. We explore how stories teach better than lectures, why an extra physician touchpoint improves outcomes even when orders don’t change, and how simple advocacy can convert worry into action.If you’re a pre-health student, new grad nurse, or seasoned clinician rethinking your limits, you'll benefit from Jenn's directives: choose supportive environments, leverage agency and flexible shifts, and build clinical instincts with mentorship and reps. Jenn's book—Nursing Intuition: How to Trust Your Gut, Save Your Sanity, and Survive Your Career—offers an evidence-backed blueprint for making your instincts reliable and your career sustainable. Subscribe, share this episode with a colleague who needs it, and leave a review to help more listeners find these stories and tools. Your gut is talking—ready to listen?More about Jenn at her website: www.nursejenn.caAnd check out her book: Nursing Intuition: How to Trust Your Gut, Save Your Sanity, and Survive Your CareerSupport the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

What drives someone to leave a successful career as a Physician Assistant and return to medical school? For Dr. Joanne Amos, it was discovering her true calling in one of medicine's most demanding specialties: the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.Dr. Amos takes us behind the scenes of her level three NICU, where she cares for babies as young as 22 weeks gestation. Her vivid descriptions bring to life both the technical challenges (placing catheters "the width of a spaghetti noodle" in babies who sometimes weigh less than a pound) and the profound emotional landscape of working with families experiencing their worst nightmares. The balance she strikes between adrenaline-fueled medicine and deep compassion offers a masterclass in what makes a truly exceptional physician.Her unconventional path from PA school to medical school truly took off after she discovered her passion for neonatal intensive care. This journey gives Dr. Amos unique perspective on the differences between PA and physician education, addressing common misconceptions and offering invaluable guidance for students navigating their own healthcare career decisions.Beyond clinical expertise, Dr. Amos discusses the realities of NICU schedules, the challenges facing PAs seeking leadership positions, and how her perspective as both a physician and parent influences her practice. Her story reminds us that finding your place in medicine sometimes means taking the road less traveled and that the courage to change course can lead to our most meaningful work.Follow Dr. Amos on TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube to learn more about her journey and gain insights into the world of neonatal medicine. Her story will inspire anyone considering a career in healthcare to pursue the path that allows them to make their greatest contribution, regardless of conventional wisdom.Instagram: @pa.c_to_doctor Support the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

Dr. Kushagra Verma's journey reminds us that finding your calling often happens through unexpected rotations and powerful mentorships rather than childhood dreams.What makes his approach to spine surgery truly distinctive is the blend of technical excellence with deep humanity. Dr. Verma describes his complex surgical work as an intricate three-dimensional puzzle that draws on his engineering background. Yet beyond the operating room, he's built a practice that prioritizes patient education, using 65-inch TVs to explain conditions and giving surgical patients his personal cell phone number to ease anxiety. This combination of technical precision and compassionate communication transforms lives affected by spine problems that can create "the same disability scores as people with terminal cancer."Perhaps most remarkable is how Dr. Verma has structured his practice to reflect his values. He intentionally hires pre-health students aspiring to medicine and PA school, providing them with mentorship while simultaneously expanding access to care. His yearly medical missions to Africa to perform free scoliosis surgeries is "the best thing that I do," funded by the success of his private practice. Through candid discussion of both clinical and administrative challenges, Dr. Verma offers a blueprint for creating a sustainable medical career that resists burnout through purpose and meaningful relationships.Ready to hear more inspiring stories from healthcare leaders who've found their unique path? Subscribe to Shadow Me Next for conversations that go beyond the surface and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @shadowmenext for highlights and previews of upcoming guests.To learn more about Dr. Verma and his office: Instagram: @ascmdWebsite: advanedspinecare.comSupport the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

What happens when a medical provider becomes the patient? Kelly Tuttle's journey shows us how personal experience can transform professional practice and create unique connections with patients.Kelly spent two decades as a cardiology nurse practitioner before a car accident resulting in a traumatic brain injury (TBI) completely altered her career trajectory. Rather than stepping away from medicine, she channeled her recovery experience into becoming a neurology specialist. The transition wasn't simple, it required two years of intensive self-education, seminars, CME courses, and eventually, a training position where she could develop expertise in conditions like Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy.What makes Kelly's story remarkable isn't just her resilience but the unique perspective she brought to patient care. While keeping her own TBI history private, she used her firsthand knowledge of cognitive impairments, sound sensitivity, and neuro fatigue to provide uniquely compassionate and practical care. "My favorite part was helping them cope with that, because that was like my bag of tricks that I could share with them," Kelly explains. Her patients would often respond with surprise: "You're the first provider who understands me, who gets it."This personal experience led Kelly to create valuable resources for others, including her book "After the Crash: How to Keep Your Job, Stay in School, and Live Life After a Brain Injury" and "My Brain Injury Recovery Journal." She advocates for journaling as a powerful recovery tool that promotes neuroplasticity, helps track symptoms and progress, and provides tangible evidence of improvement during difficult days. For students facing setbacks in their own journey, Kelly offers wisdom from her experience: "Don't let a bump in the road be a mountain and there's always a way around."Whether you're a healthcare professional, a student facing challenges, or someone supporting a loved one through recovery, Kelly's story reminds us that our greatest challenges often become our greatest opportunities to connect with and serve others. Visit kellytuttle.org to learn more about her resources and ongoing work.Support the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

When Rachelle Hodel set her sights on working with babies, nothing would stand in her way, not even the absence of a job posting. Armed with determination and a freshly written cover letter, she walked straight into the nursery manager's office and launched a 15-year career in labor and delivery.That same decisive spirit guided her next evolution when family needs called for a more flexible schedule. While raising three daughters and working part-time, Rachelle completed her nurse practitioner degree online, eventually finding her true calling in pediatrics where she's spent nearly a decade building relationships with children from birth through adolescence.On this episode of Shadow Me Next, Rachelle brings us into the nuanced world of pediatric care, where success depends on your ability to read the room and adapt your approach instantly. For teenagers needing connection, she kicks back and creates a relaxed environment where they might actually open up. With younger children, she skips the intimidating white coat in favor of Disney t-shirts. This chameleon-like ability to meet patients where they are allows her to address not just physical health but critical conversations about bullying, mental health, and self-confidence.The weight of responsibility in pediatrics is immense. These early health foundations shape entire lives. Rachelle navigates this responsibility with both professional expertise and personal warmth, creating such powerful bonds that during a recent medical leave, patients repeatedly called asking, "Is Rachelle back yet?"Despite acknowledging medicine's broken systems, Rachelle remains optimistic about healthcare careers, believing the right people in the right roles can heal the profession itself. Her advice to aspiring clinicians? Explore widely, trust your instincts, and maintain flexibility. You never know where your medical journey might lead you next.Subscribe to Shadow Me Next for more conversations with healthcare professionals who are reshaping medicine one patient at a time.Support the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

Kristin takes us deep into the world of pediatric autoimmune disease, where conditions like juvenile idiopathic arthritis, lupus, and dermatomyositis affect multiple body systems and require tremendous coordination across specialties. With striking clarity, she describes the challenges of working with patients who've often spent years searching for answers before receiving life-altering diagnoses.Our conversation reveals the remarkable complexity behind treating these conditions: from reviewing extensive labs and specialist reports before appointments to crafting treatment plans that families can actually implement at home. Kristin shares the emotional weight of fighting insurance battles for necessary medications and supporting families through the ups and downs of chronic illness management.Perhaps most fascinating is Kristin's parallel life as a professional cellist and how she sees profound connections between music and medicine. "It's not a race, it's a marathon," she explains, drawing parallels between perfecting a difficult musical piece and the patience required when treating chronic conditions. Both demand focus on long-term goals without immediate gratification, a perspective that serves her patients well.Subscribe to Shadow Me Next for more conversations that take you behind the scenes of the medical world, providing deeper understanding of the human side of healthcare through the stories of those who live it every day.Support the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

When a hospice nurse with thirty years of experience speaks about what matters most at the end of life, it's a story worth listening to. Jenny Lytle's journey into nursing began with an unlikely inspiration, a childhood fascination with thermometers during her own hospital stays, but has evolved into a profound calling that's taught her what true care really means."It's such a privilege to be with people in their hardest times, in their most vulnerable comments," Jenny shares, describing her nearly two decades in hospice nursing. While many assume hospice work must be relentlessly depressing, Jenny reveals a different reality: one where unexpected joy, meaningful connections, and even humor exist alongside grief. She dispels common misconceptions, like hospice means "giving up" or that patients no longer receive medication, and explains instead how the focus shifts to quality of life defined by each individual's unique priorities.The conversation takes a deeply personal turn when Jenny describes helping finding her mother, also a nurse, receive hospice care in her final hours after a brain aneurysm. This devastating experience solidified what Jenny had observed throughout her career: healthcare providers excel at caring for others while neglecting their own needs. The realization sparked her mission to help caregivers develop sustainable self-care practices, culminating in her book "Self-Care Isn't Selfish" and the development of personalized approaches that don't feel like additional burdens.For anyone considering a healthcare career, particularly in emotionally demanding fields like hospice, Jenny offers reassuring wisdom: it's not about caring less or becoming hardened, but about establishing boundaries and self-care practices that allow you to remain present and compassionate without burning out. Whether you're a pre-health student, a seasoned provider, or simply curious about the human side of medicine, this conversation will transform how you think about care, both for others and yourself.Ready to explore more stories from healthcare professionals? Subscribe to Shadow Me Next and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @ShadowMeNext for highlights and previews of upcoming guests.And check out more of what Jenny has to offer at her website: jennylytle.comSupport the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

Pete Breitinger's journey to respected PA educator spans more than three decades and reveals the profound human connections at the heart of healthcare. What begins as a candid reflection on his unexpected path into medicine transforms into a masterclass on resilience, advocacy, and equity in patient care.When Pete shares stories from his years in pediatric cardiology, his voice brightens with genuine affection for the families he's followed, some from infancy through adulthood. "These kids are resilient," he says, "you talk about a definition of resilience? Go to Peds Cardiology." This perspective on patient strength becomes a thread woven throughout our conversation, reappearing as he describes the qualities that make successful PA students and practitioners.The most powerful moment comes when Pete redefines his profession's very acronym. "What does PA stand for?" he asks his students each year. Beyond the official "Physician Assistant," Pete insists it means "Patient Advocate," a conviction forged while navigating the healthcare system with his wife during her cancer diagnosis. Seeing patients struggle without guidance crystallized his belief that advocacy isn't just political action but happens in every exam room, with every prescription, with every referral.His work with UF's Mobile Outreach Clinic brings this philosophy to life, providing care to underserved communities from a converted bus. "If you want to be a true patient advocate, go work in underserved areas," Pete advises, noting how this experience forces practitioners to find creative solutions without "all the bells and whistles" of well-equipped facilities. The geographical distribution of healthcare resources, with standalone ERs concentrated in affluent areas, becomes a stark visual reminder of persistent inequities.Through three decades of evolution in healthcare education, Pete has witnessed growing awareness of these systemic issues. Today's students arrive more community-aware and ready to address social determinants of health, giving him hope for medicine's future. His parting wisdom? Simply "be kind," a reminder that seeing patients as complete human beings rather than medical cases is perhaps the most fundamental form of advocacy.Join us for this illuminating conversation about what it truly means to care for patients in all their complexity. Subscribe now and follow @shadowmenext on social media for more insights into the human side of medicine.Support the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

The medical world often focuses on protocols and procedures, but what happens when a patient's quality of life conflicts with the "safest" option? Catherine Moore, a licensed clinical social worker and creator of the top-performing Social Workers, Rise! podcast, who's worked in settings from hospice to ICUs, joins us to explore this crucial intersection of healthcare and humanity. Catherine reveals how social workers serve as the essential bridge between medical teams and patients, especially when communication breaks down. Through powerful stories like the hospice patient who knew living at home was more important than following medical recommendations, she illustrates how social workers advocate for patients while helping clinical teams understand the deeper human narratives behind "non-compliance."We dive into the versatile career paths available to social workers, from veterinary and sports social work to roles in schools, homeless services, and private practice. Catherine's creation of the RISE Directory, connecting social work associates with clinical supervisors, addresses a critical gap in the profession and highlights her commitment to mentorship and accessibility.For pre-health students considering their career options, Catherine offers invaluable guidance on aligning natural gifts with professional choices. If you're the person friends call after a breakup or strangers randomly share their stories with, social work might be your calling. Her current telehealth practice focuses on women struggling with anxiety, providing them space to process emotions in a supportive environment.Support the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

What happens when a physician notices something seemingly small but deeply meaningful missing from patient care? Dr. Nekaiya Jacobs Pratt, a pediatric critical care physician, transformed hospital culture by addressing a gap that affected her patients with textured hair.During the isolating days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Kay found herself questioning her place in medicine. The emotional weight of caring for critically ill children had always been balanced by the joy of seeing them recover, but something was missing. When she noticed hospitalized children with textured hair weren't receiving appropriate hair care products, she took matters into her own hands, literally. She began bringing products from home and braiding patients' hair on her days off.This personal mission evolved into something remarkable: a hospital-wide initiative providing culturally appropriate hair care products across six states and a children's book called "The Magic Bonnet" that serves as her "love letter" to this work. The impact runs deeper than appearance; it fundamentally changes how patients experience care and how providers see their patients."When patients feel seen and they feel like you are not just the lab result or the CT scan...they participate in their own healing," Dr. Kay explains. Through education involving mannequin heads with various hair textures, she's transformed a hushed subject into an opportunity for connection. Healthcare providers who once avoided conversations about different hair types now confidently advocate for their patients' hair care needs.Dr. Kay's message resonates beyond pediatrics: "Bring your whole self to work." By embracing our unique perspectives and lived experiences, we address healthcare disparities and provide care that honors patients as whole people. Her story reminds us that meaningful change often begins with noticing what others have overlooked and being brave enough to do something about it.Join us for this inspiring conversation about finding purpose in medicine, the power of cultural competence, and how small acts of dignity can transform healthcare from the inside out.For more about Dr. Kay> please visit her at www.heyitskaymd.com> and check out her book The Magic BonnetSupport the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

What happens when a physician practices medicine across three different continents? Dr. Gregory Adaka's remarkable journey from Nigeria to the UK to the United States reveals surprising truths about global healthcare that every medical professional should consider.Born in Manchester and raised in Nigeria, Dr. Adaka's path to emergency medicine began with an unexpected source of inspiration: the American TV show "ER." His story weaves through vastly different healthcare systems, highlighting both technological advancement and accessibility challenges that shape patient care worldwide.A powerful moment comes when Dr. Adaka shares his shock at encountering cost barriers in American healthcare that reminded him of practicing in Nigeria. "I've not practiced medicine like that since I left Nigeria," he recalls telling a nurse after a patient couldn't afford a prescription, a jarring reality in the world's wealthiest nation. This perspective challenges us to reconsider what truly constitutes an advanced healthcare system.Beyond comparing healthcare models, Dr. Adaka offers thoughtful insights on artificial intelligence in medicine, predicting it will augment rather than replace clinicians in the near term. His discussion on reconciling scientific practice with religious faith provides a nuanced view of how these seemingly opposing worldviews can harmoniously coexist, drawing inspiration from scientists like Dr. Francis Collins who bridge this perceived divide.For pre-health students and practicing clinicians alike, Dr. Adaka's global perspective demonstrates how understanding different approaches to healthcare delivery enhances our ability to improve medicine at home. It's a powerful reminder that sometimes we need to look beyond our borders to solve problems within them.Support the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

What happens when medicine loses its humanity? Dr. Kipp's powerful new book "Heartbeats and Handshakes" offers a rare and intimate look at what it truly means to be a physician - from the terrifying first code blue as a medical student to the wisdom gained through 30 years of clinical practice.Dr. Kipp takes us behind closed doors to reveal the profound challenge doctors face: maintaining genuine compassion while rapidly moving between patients in crisis. His journey from conventional medicine to questioning the system began when his father received an Alzheimer's diagnosis from a physician who typed notes without making eye contact. "We're like - you don't even care. We're just the Alzheimer's patient in room four," he recalls with still-palpable disappointment.Through rich storytelling that spans decades, Dr. Kipp tracks his evolution through multiple specialties - family medicine, radiology, interventional procedures, pain management, and regenerative medicine. He witnessed healthcare's technological revolution firsthand, from the early days of CT scanning to today's instantaneous imaging. Yet despite these advances, he worries about medicine's future: "AI could replace doctors so fast. It can't replace the proceduralist, but it could replace the diagnostician."What can never be replaced, Dr. Kipp argues, is the healing power of human connection - the handshake, the reassuring touch, the shared vulnerability between provider and patient. "When you write, you don't know if anyone's going to get what you're trying to say," he reflects on his book's impact. But when his own son identified exactly the message he hoped to convey, Dr. Kipp knew he'd succeeded in capturing medicine's essence: "That's what's so exciting - communicating these hard concepts is best done by storytelling."Ready to rediscover the heart of healthcare? Listen now and remember why medicine will always need the human touch that no algorithm can replicate.Check out his book: Heartbeats and HandshakesSupport the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

What began as a pre-med journey toward orthopedic surgery took an unexpected turn when Sally Hoang, CAA discovered the immediate impact and work-life balance offered by a career in anesthesia care.With remarkable candor, Sally Hoang walks us through her typical 16-hour shift—from arriving at 6:30 AM to set up medications and equipment, to meeting patients in pre-op, to the collaborative dance of putting patients to sleep alongside attending anesthesiologists. Her descriptions paint a vivid picture of a profession that combines technical precision with human connection during patients' most vulnerable moments.The conversation reveals surprising aspects of the CAA profession that make it uniquely appealing: the ability to work across all surgical specialties, from vascular to neurosurgery; the introvert-friendly environment where you can choose your level of social interaction; and the luxury of actually leaving work at work—something increasingly rare in healthcare. Sally shares breathtaking moments from her career, including an emergency case where her team administered an astounding 87 units of blood to save a patient's life during an abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.For pre-health students considering their options, Sally offers thoughtful perspective on why she chose the CAA path over becoming an anesthesiologist or CRNA. The 2.5-year master's program offered a faster route to practice high-level medicine with immediate impact, without sacrificing personal interests and balanced living. Through her social media channels, she's now helping others discover this rewarding career path that combines autonomy, teamwork, and meaningful patient care.Whether you're exploring healthcare careers or simply curious about what happens while you're under anesthesia, this episode provides rare insight into the professionals keeping watch over your vital signs and ensuring your safety when you're at your most vulnerable. Join us for this eye-opening conversation about finding fulfillment in medicine without sacrificing yourself in the process.Follow @anesthesiasal across all social platforms and visit her YouTube page for more!Support the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

Dr. Michael Broukhim shatters psychiatric norms with remarkable results, proudly owning his identity as the "anti-psychiatrist psychiatrist." Our conversation reveals why this integrative practitioner achieves what many consider impossible: helping patients recover completely from conditions typically labeled as chronic.The heart of Dr. Broukhim's revolutionary approach lies in his expansive understanding of faith not as religious doctrine, but as "a belief that there is value in connecting with other beings." This inclusive definition becomes a powerful prognostic factor for recovery. Patients recognizing the importance of connection with humans, animals, or plants demonstrate dramatically improved outcomes compared to those remaining isolated.We explore the fascinating science behind storytelling as medicine. Did you know 80–90% of your brain cells are actually immune cells? Dr. Broukkim explains how negative thoughts trigger inflammatory responses that can lead to autoimmune conditions, while positive narratives promote healing—the biology behind placebo and "nocebo" effects. This understanding transforms mental healthcare from symptom management to genuine healing.Originally destined for internal medicine, Dr. Broukhim found his calling in psychiatry through the profound human connection it offered. "I've never had a boring day of psychiatry," he shares. "If a patient's being open and authentic, every person is very interesting." This passion for authentic human connection has expanded beyond his clinical practice to iexperiencelife.com, his consulting company, and soon into rabbinical studies, all pathways to help people navigate crises of meaning before clinical conditions develop.The most powerful medicine might be reconnecting with others and transforming the stories we tell ourselves. Whether you're struggling with mental health challenges, supporting someone who is, or simply curious about innovative approaches to wellbeing, this conversation offers genuine hope and practical wisdom for true healing.Learn more at iexperience.life!Support the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

Imagine walking into a hospital room, stethoscope in hand, only to have patients immediately assume you're the doctor simply because you're a man. For Brock Kemp, this scenario plays out regularly as a male nurse navigating a predominantly female profession. But these misconceptions are just the beginning of his fascinating journey through healthcare.From mowing lawns and fixing storage unit doors to managing life-and-death situations in the emergency department, Brock's path into nursing defies the traditional narrative. His candid revelations about transitioning through multiple specialties—from challenging med-surg overnight shifts to rehabilitation at Mayo Clinic to research nursing and finally finding his calling in the ER—offer invaluable insights for anyone considering a healthcare career.What makes Brock truly unique is his work as a creator behind @ScrubLaddy, where his medical comedy sketches have become a form of therapy for thousands of healthcare workers. Started as a cathartic response to a frustrating shift change, his content transforms the everyday challenges of hospital work into relatable humor that helps prevent burnout. When nurses message him saying "your videos make us feel seen," he knows he's found a meaningful way to support his colleagues beyond the hospital walls.The conversation takes unexpected turns as Brock recounts dramatic moments like rushing to save a coding patient in the parking lot, juxtaposed against the mundane reality of treating toothaches in the next room. His description of the emergency department as "a giant machine" serving the community offers a fresh perspective on teamwork in crisis situations. Whether you're a pre-health student seeking career guidance or simply curious about the realities behind the hospital doors, Brock's story resonates with authentic passion and hard-earned wisdom.Subscribe to Shadow Me Next for more intimate conversations with healthcare professionals who are transforming medicine through both their clinical work and creative pursuits. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @shadowmenext for highlights and previews of upcoming episodes.And make sure to check out@scrubladdy on tiktok and instagram! Support the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

Flying through the air in a helicopter that's "so much smaller than you think," Sophie Fuller works to save lives as a critical care flight paramedic. In this captivating conversation, she reveals the unexpected journey that led her to becoming a lifesaving flight medic who transports critically ill patients by air.Sophie's path wasn't always clear. Seeking something beyond the hospital walls to satisfy her "super ADHD" personality, she discovered emergency medicine through a friend who was a paramedic. This sparked a multi-year educational journey through EMT school, advanced training, and finally paramedic certification—all while working as a firefighter and in 911 services. Her love for medicine and adrenaline eventually led her to the skies as a flight paramedic, where she found her perfect professional home.The reality of flight medicine comes alive as Sophie details her daily routine: the two-and-a-half-hour commute, the extensive safety protocols, and the remarkable teamwork between paramedics and nurses that makes airborne medicine possible. She vividly describes the complex dance of managing patients in a confined, noisy space where "we tend to communicate with our eyes more than our mouth." From blood coolers to helmet communications, every aspect of this specialized care environment serves a critical purpose.But Sophie's story goes deeper than medical procedures. She candidly shares how burnout nearly drove her from the profession entirely before she found renewal through an unexpected source: sharing her experiences online. As "Paramedic Sophie," she built a community that reignited her passion for emergency medicine and eventually led to co-hosting the Life and Sirens podcast, where she and colleagues share everything from clinical education to tales of "haunted stations" and unforgettable patient encounters.Whether you're considering a career in emergency medicine or simply fascinated by these "quiet heroes" of healthcare, Sophie's story offers a powerful reminder of the extraordinary people who stand ready to help on our worst days. Ready to explore emergency medicine for yourself? Sophie encourages everyone from high school students to healthcare professionals to take advantage of ride-along programs and experience firsthand the "chaos and excitement" that makes emergency medicine unlike any other healthcare specialty.Paramedic Sophie (Instagram) Life and Sirens Podcast (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Website) Support the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

What does it take to completely reinvent your career path at age 30? Ryan Foley knows exactly how daunting this journey can be. Starting as a construction worker with a vocational high school background, Ryan made the bold decision to pursue medicine, beginning with remedial college classes and reverse engineering his way to becoming a physician assistant.Ryan's approach was brilliantly methodical. Rather than rushing straight toward PA school, he first became a registered nurse—a decision that provided clinical experience, financial stability, and professional connections. "I had a goal in mind and engineered it backwards," he explains. This reverse-engineering process not only made his dream achievable but gave him invaluable perspective that continues to shape his practice today.The conversation dives deep into the cultural differences between emergency medicine and other specialties. Ryan offers a memorable analogy: "When you're comparing the ED versus the ICU, it's the ADD kids versus the OCD kids." This perfectly captures how emergency medicine professionals thrive amid constant shifts in attention and priorities, yet paradoxically find calm during critical moments. "For as chaotic as a trauma can be, everyone's just very calm, knows their role... It kind of hits that flow state," he shares.Perhaps most valuable is Ryan's insight on patient communication. Despite sophisticated diagnostics and technology, he emphasizes that simply asking patients what they think might be wrong and truly listening to their stories remains the cornerstone of effective medicine. "When patients feel listened to, they're going to trust you more," Ryan notes—a simple but profound reminder that medicine, at its core, is about human connection. Whether you're considering a career change, curious about emergency medicine, or simply fascinated by healthcare journeys, Ryan's story offers both practical guidance and genuine inspiration.Support the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

A sarcastic whisper describing the tools used in the operating room changed everything. Meet Alyssa Ellis, the Certified Surgical Technologist and First Assistant whose educational videos have captured the attention of surgeons, students, and curious patients alike. With her trademark straightforward delivery and deep expertise, Alyssa pulls back the curtain on what really happens when you're under anesthesia.Find Alyssa @beyondassisting on all social medial platforms and check out her website https://www.beyondassisting.com/ for more information! After 16 years spanning nearly every surgical specialty, Alyssa brings unparalleled perspective to what makes an operating room function. Her journey began unexpectedly - working retail jobs as a young mother, she enrolled in surgical tech school on a friend's suggestion. When those friends quit two weeks later, her determination to finish what she started launched a remarkable career that would touch countless patients' lives.Throughout our conversation, Alyssa shares invaluable insights about the true dynamics of surgical teamwork. She explains how four essential roles (surgeon, anesthesiologist, RN circulator, and surgical tech) form the foundation of every procedure, while revealing the critical importance of communication, respect, and knowing when to admit what you don't know. Her philosophy - that acknowledging limitations is a strength, not a weakness - stands as a powerful lesson for anyone in healthcare.What makes Alyssa's story particularly compelling is her commitment to education and improvement. After years of documenting surgeons' preferences, optimizing workflows, and mentoring colleagues, she's now building a comprehensive platform to share her knowledge with the world. Her mission to reignite passion in healthcare comes at a crucial moment when burnout and disillusionment challenge the field.Whether you're a pre-health student considering surgical specialties, a healthcare professional looking to understand OR dynamics, or simply someone curious about what happens during surgery, this episode offers rare and valuable perspective. Subscribe now and join us for more conversations with the remarkable people shaping modern medicine.Support the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

Dr. Josh Wageman brings a rare blend of expertise to cardiovascular prevention. With credentials spanning physical therapy, biochemistry, and Yale PA training, he's transformed how we understand lipid science through brilliant, accessible metaphors that make complex medical concepts understandable to everyone.At the heart of our conversation is Josh's innovative framework that reimagines cardiovascular health as a "home security system" and cholesterol management as living in a "safe lipid neighborhood." Rather than overwhelming listeners with biochemical pathways, he translates these concepts into vivid metaphors - LDL particles become mailmen delivering packages, HDL serves as the police force, and lipoprotein(a) represents potential felons threatening arterial walls. This approach fulfills what Josh describes as the true test of understanding: "If you can explain it to somebody who may not be familiar with the topic."Josh challenges several persistent misconceptions about cholesterol. He explains why LDL isn't inherently "bad" (it's only problematic when depositing cholesterol in arterial walls) and why high HDL doesn't necessarily mean protection. "Just relying on your HDL cholesterol to tell you anything about its functionality is irresponsible," he notes, sharing examples where patients with impressive HDL numbers had extensive coronary disease.Most powerfully, Josh advocates for shifting cardiovascular care from reactive to preventive approaches. He explains why standard risk calculators miss significant disease and why additional tools like coronary artery calcium scoring can be life-saving. Through a striking example of a physically fit friend whose 10-year risk was calculated at just 2.3%, yet required five-vessel bypass surgery, Josh demonstrates why we need to look beyond traditional metrics.Beyond technical expertise, Josh emphasizes the human element in medicine: "No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care." His approach reminds us that effective healthcare requires not just knowledge, but the ability to communicate in ways patients understand and trust.Want to prevent heart attacks, strokes and dementia? Find "The Home Security System in the Lipid Neighborhood" on Amazon and follow Josh on LinkedIn and Twitter for more insights that could save your life.Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Security-System-Lipid-Neighborhood-Complicating/dp/B0DTJ1HJ4YSupport the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

Dr. Ali Zreik arrives at patient rooms with an unusual tool—a rolling whiteboard. While most physicians carry stethoscopes and tablets, this internal medicine attending physician and associate program director brings something more transformative: a visual bridge between complex medical science and human understanding."Bring me the whiteboard," he tells residents when faced with a challenging patient case. What follows is nothing short of medical storytelling at its finest. Drawing hearts, explaining physiologies, and breaking down medical jargon into clear visuals, Dr. Zreik transforms the clinical encounter for everyone involved – the frustrated patient suddenly understands their condition, burned-out residents rediscover purpose, and healing begins in earnest.Drawing inspiration from Dr. Lisa Sanders (the physician behind the New York Times' "Diagnosis" column and TV's "House"), Dr. Zreik brings a Sherlockian approach to medicine. Yet his true innovation lies in combining analytical precision with profound compassion. "Medicine has changed from being patient-oriented to goal and task-oriented," he observes, pinpointing a shift that has left many patients feeling unheard despite technological advances.His philosophy centers on creating "happiness at the point of care"—a radical concept in today's efficiency-focused healthcare environment. This approach not only improves patient outcomes but serves as a powerful antidote to burnout among medical professionals. By finding meaning in the work and intentionally fostering connection, Dr. Zreik demonstrates how medicine can remain both scientifically rigorous and deeply human.For pre-health students uncertain about their path, his advice resonates beyond medicine: "Create a sense of why for yourself... it's in the art of asking questions that identity gets created." This perspective shifts focus from merely accumulating knowledge to developing purpose – a lesson valuable for anyone in healthcare or beyond.Subscribe to Shadow Me Next for more conversations that reveal the human side of medicine and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @shadowmenext for highlights and previews of upcoming guests.Support the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

Challenging a broken system often requires walking an unconventional path. Jono Lippman's journey from communications major to wilderness guide to emergency medicine PA beautifully illustrates how diverse experiences can reshape our understanding of what healthcare education could and should be.What happens when someone who once actively avoided science classes finds themselves drawn to medicine through wilderness first responder training? For Jono, it sparked a transformative journey that would eventually lead him to create one of the most innovative medical education resources available to PA students today.Throughout our conversation, Jono shares raw insights about navigating burnout early in his career—a seven-month period of being "functionally homeless" while traveling Europe that helped him rediscover his purpose. This perspective informs his dual practice in both busy city emergency departments and remote critical access hospitals, where his autonomy as a provider is pushed to its limits.The heart of our discussion centers on Jono's passionate mission to overthrow the "drinking from a fire hose" mentality in medical education. "It's a stupid cliché we use because we're too lazy to try to change things in medicine," he explains with refreshing candor. His solution? The PA Guide—a comprehensive illustrated notebook and course that provides students with a clear map through the overwhelming terrain of medical knowledge.What makes Jono's approach revolutionary isn't just the content but the philosophy behind it. By rejecting the cultural norm that suffering through chaos is somehow necessary for becoming a good clinician, he's created a system that empowers students to learn effectively without burning out. His resources meet diverse learning styles through illustrations, organized content frameworks, quizzes, and even an AI chatbot that functions like an attending physician.Ready to challenge how you think about medical education? Listen now, then visit pa-guide.com to discover how Jono's resources might transform your learning journey or the experience of someone you know in healthcare education.Follow Jono's instagram https://www.instagram.com/jono.pa/ and check out his website for more information!Support the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

What does it take to transform obstacles into opportunities? Major M. Tiye Young knows firsthand. When deployment orders arrived just days before her PA school application deadline, she didn't abandon her medical dreams—she recalibrated. When a cervical cancer diagnosis threatened her future, she fought back with unwavering resolve. Now, as both a military leader and surgical PA, she's redefining what resilience looks like in healthcare.This conversation takes us behind the scenes of Major Young's extraordinary journey from Army service to acute care surgery and gynecologic oncology. She shares the raw reality of balancing night shifts in a trauma center with military duties, including her recent command of 1,500 National Guardsmen during Hurricane Helene's devastating aftermath. The leadership skills she's honed through military service translate seamlessly to the operating room, where split-second decisions can mean the difference between life and death.Perhaps most powerfully, Major Young reveals how her personal battle with cancer transformed her approach to patient care. Walking into the same hospital room where she once received treatment—this time as the provider rather than the patient—created a full-circle moment that fuels her compassion daily. She now advocates fiercely for patients showing subtle symptoms others might dismiss, remembering how her own body gave warning signs before her diagnosis.Major Young's story isn't just about personal achievement—it's about creating pathways for others. As a Black female PA who grew up without access to healthcare providers who looked like her, she's committed to visibility and mentorship for underrepresented communities. Through social media and direct mentorship, she shows pre-health students that their backgrounds don't determine their potential.Whether you're pursuing a healthcare career, serving in the military, or simply searching for inspiration to overcome life's unexpected challenges, Major Young's perspective will leave you with renewed purpose and an expanded vision of what's possible when you refuse to give up.Follow her incredible journey on instagram @tymcarolina_Support the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

When a terrified 10-year-old boy walked into Colleen Sloan's pediatric practice in tears, she discovered he'd been monitoring his weight obsessively after another provider warned he'd "need needles in his stomach" if he didn't lose weight. This moment exemplifies everything wrong with how healthcare approaches nutrition conversations—and sparked a mission to change it.As both a pediatric physician assistant and registered dietitian nutritionist, Colleen brings rare dual expertise to the critical intersection of medicine and nutrition. Her journey from clinical dietetics working with critically ill children to PA school while raising a child showcases her remarkable determination and passion for comprehensive patient care. What makes her approach revolutionary is her commitment to compassionate communication when discussing sensitive topics like weight, diet, and body image.Most medical professionals receive merely 2% of their training in nutrition, despite its relevance to virtually every condition they treat. Through her platform Exam Room Nutrition, Colleen equips clinicians with practical tools to confidently navigate these conversations using techniques like "ask, offer, ask"—a framework that respects patient autonomy while providing expert guidance."Being curious is a really great characteristic of an excellent clinician," Colleen explains, advocating for questions like "What's making this hard for you?" rather than judgmental directives. This approach not only improves patient outcomes but also helps prevent provider burnout by fostering genuine connection instead of frustration.Colleen's CME-approved course for healthcare providers fills a crucial education gap, covering everything from nutrition fundamentals to counseling skills for specific populations. By transforming how we discuss nutrition in the exam room, she's creating a future where medical care nourishes both body and spirit.Looking to enhance your approach to nutrition conversations? Connect with Colleen on Instagram or LinkedIn @ExamRoomNutrition or through her podcast on Apple and Spotify. More at her website www.examroomnutrition.comSupport the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.  

Jessica Dell'Aquila's career journey breaks the conventional mold of what we expect from healthcare professionals. Starting with a clear vision at just 18, she enrolled in Seton Hall's innovative six-year dual degree program, emerging with both her undergraduate biology degree and master's in physician assistant studies—a testament to her focused determination from the beginning.Her clinical career began at Penn Medicine, where a unique rotational position in general surgery exposed her to multiple specialties in rapid succession. When presenting the opportunity to join the transplant team permanently, Jessica found her clinical calling. Working with transplant patients offered profound rewards as she guided them through their entire hospital journeys—from pre-operative preparation through recovery and discharge.But after five years of clinical excellence, Jessica felt an unmistakable pull toward something different. Despite finding deep satisfaction in patient care, she recognized untapped potential within herself that traditional clinical roles couldn't fully nurture. This realization led her to make a bold pivot into the medical device industry, specifically as a clinical specialist in structural heart.What makes Jessica's transition particularly fascinating is how she leverages her clinical expertise in an entirely new context. Her days now involve supporting physicians during procedures, providing critical guidance on device selection, developing educational programs, and contributing to business strategy. The learning curve has been steep—mastering cardiac medicine after specializing in abdominal transplant, learning to read various types of echocardiograms, and developing business acumen—but her clinical foundation has proven invaluable.Perhaps most insightful is Jessica's reflection on how respect is earned differently in her new role. While her PA credential previously carried inherent respect, she now builds credibility purely through the value she delivers and relationships she cultivates. For healthcare professionals contemplating similar transitions, Jessica recommends exploring roles that align with both clinical experience and personal temperament, with clinical specialist positions serving as excellent entry points.Looking for career guidance or curious about transitioning from clinical practice to industry? Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn to learn more about navigating this rewarding but less-traveled professional path.To connect with Jessica, find her on LinkedIn here. Learn more about the dual B.S./M.S program at Seton Hall here. Support the showPlease connect and say hello >>> Email me!              Support shadow me next >>> Thank you!Want to be a guest? >>>  Click here!Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. Whether as a doctor, a physician assistant, a therapist or nurse, here Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and understand your place in medicine.