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In this episode of Step It Up with Dr A, Dr. Nivedita Agarwal sits down with Dr. Boskey Patel, an interventional cardiologist, to explore the unexpected turns, setbacks, mentors, and moments of determination that shaped her journey from osteopathic medical school to the cath lab.

Dr. Patel shares how undergoing brain surgery as a teenager first strengthened her interest in medicine, and how her path later took her through psychology and neuroscience, clinical research, post-baccalaureate coursework, and ultimately osteopathic medical school. She speaks candidly about struggling with uncertainty, comparing her timeline with others, navigating the MD versus DO conversation, and learning that the road to becoming a physician does not have to be linear.

Her career continued to evolve as she moved from an initial interest in surgery and gastroenterology to discovering cardiology during residency—and eventually finding her place in the highly procedural, traditionally male-dominated field of interventional cardiology.

The conversation also explores mentorship, representation of women in procedural specialties, leadership, research, public speaking, and Dr. Patel’s commitment to raising awareness about cardiovascular risk in the South Asian community.

Most importantly, Dr. Patel offers a message to students who may be questioning whether their grades, MCAT scores, rejections, or unconventional paths mean they do not belong in medicine: your journey does not have to look like someone else’s to lead somewhere meaningful.

Her definition of “stepping it up” brings the conversation full circle: using your skills and gifts to improve the world around you.

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Every week, I share practical insights, exclusive resources, and tools to help you keep learning, growing, and stepping it up.

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In this episode of Step It Up with Dr A, Dr. Nivedita Agarwal sits down with Dr. Listy Thomas for an inspiring conversation about medicine, leadership, mentorship, and creating a career that reflects who you are and where you want to go.

Dr. Thomas shares lessons from her journey, including navigating career transitions, stepping into leadership, recognizing opportunities, overcoming self-doubt, and understanding the importance of mentorship.

We also explore what it means to support the next generation of physicians and why success in medicine doesn't have to follow one predetermined path.

If you're a physician, medical student, trainee, healthcare professional, or anyone navigating the next chapter of your career, I hope this conversation encourages you to stay curious, remain open to opportunities, and keep moving forward.

Because sometimes, the sky really is the limit.

🎙️ Step It Up with Dr A
Conversations about medicine, leadership, personal growth, and the journeys that shape us.

Subscribe for future conversations and share this episode with someone who may need to hear its message.

Support the show

If today's episode resonated with you, I'd love to hear your story.

Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with us on social media.

🎙️ Subscribe to Step It Up with Dr. A so you never miss an episode.

⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with a student, parent, mentor, or future healthcare professional who may benefit from this conversation and don't forget to subscribe to the channel and join our FREE newsletter! 📩

Every week, I share practical insights, exclusive resources, and tools to help you keep learning, growing, and stepping it up.

📥 Join the Step It Up Community: https://step-it-up-with-dr-a.kit.com/c07922e6fe

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In this episode of Step It Up with Dr. A, Dr. Nivedita Agarwal sits down with Dr. Aziz Benbrahim, MD, FACS, FASMBS, for a deeply personal conversation about a journey that began in a small oasis town in Morocco and ultimately led through France, Harvard and Massachusetts General Hospital, Yale, and a distinguished career in surgery and physician leadership.

Dr. Benbrahim shares how early encounters with illness and limited access to medical care helped shape his path toward medicine, and how persistence, hard work, unexpected opportunities, and mentorship repeatedly changed the direction of his life.

The conversation explores immigration, surgical training, leadership, mentorship, giving back, bariatric surgery, and the future of surgery in the age of robotics and AI. Through it all, Dr. Benbrahim emphasizes that medicine is ultimately about teamwork, humility, empathy, and caring for patients as people.

Above all, his story reminds us that where we begin does not determine how far we can go—and sometimes the moments of uncertainty that make us uncomfortable are the very ones that push us forward.

Support the show

If today's episode resonated with you, I'd love to hear your story.

Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with us on social media.

🎙️ Subscribe to Step It Up with Dr. A so you never miss an episode.

⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with a student, parent, mentor, or future healthcare professional who may benefit from this conversation and don't forget to subscribe to the channel and join our FREE newsletter! 📩

Every week, I share practical insights, exclusive resources, and tools to help you keep learning, growing, and stepping it up.

📥 Join the Step It Up Community: https://step-it-up-with-dr-a.kit.com/c07922e6fe