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In this episode of The Med to Be podcast, host Nneoma Nzeduru interviews Osereme, a first-year pharmacy student. They discuss the journey of choosing pharmacy over medicine, the challenges of pharmacy school, and the importance of balancing study with enjoyment. Osereme shares her experiences with struggles and failures, emphasizing the need for resilience and self-reflection. The conversation also highlights how patients can improve their interactions with pharmacists and offers valuable advice for future pharmacists, including the importance of research and confidence in their roles.

Chapters

00:00 A quick update from Nneoma
03:53 Introduction to Osereme
08:08 Choosing Pharmacy Over Medicine
18:06 Reality of Pharmacy School
24:20 Navigating Struggles and Failures
28:41 Embracing Emotions: The Balance of Feeling and Moving On
29:04 The Role of Pharmacists: Enhancing Patient Interactions
33:04 Advice for Future Pharmacists: Pursuing Excellence
33:18 Navigating Career Paths: Research and Self-Discovery
37:09 The Immigrant Experience: Balancing Expectations and Personal Goals
39:24 The Power of Storytelling: Sharing Journeys and Lessons Learned
46:53 Offical Outro

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In this episode, Nneoma speaks with Chigozie, a third-year Physician Assistant student at Stanford. They discuss Chigozie's journey into the PA profession and the path he took to pursue his career. Chigozie shares insights on work-life balance, the importance of self-care, and the lessons learned from struggles and failures. He also talks about his passions outside of medicine, future aspirations, and offers valuable advice for aspiring PAs.

Takeaways

• Chigozie was inspired to become a PA by his life experiences and background
  
  
• Chigozie emphasizes the importance of self-care and non-negotiables in life.
  
  
• Solo traveling has been a significant part of Chigozie's life, enriching his experiences.
  
  
• Networking and building relationships with educators can lead to unexpected opportunities.

00:00 Introduction and Background of Chigozie
05:19 Choosing the Physician Assistant Path
09:33 Navigating Education and Clinical Experience
15:23 Work-Life Balance and Personal Growth
20:32 Passions Beyond Medicine and Travel Experiences
22:44 Exploring Solo Travel Experiences
23:46 Navigating Career Paths in Medicine
26:52 The Importance of Self-Care and Non-Negotiables
29:02 Overcoming Challenges in PA School
31:48 Financial Considerations in PA Programs
32:38 Scholarship Opportunities for PA Students
33:36 Networking and Conferences for PAs
35:01 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

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In this conversation, Dr. Nubwa shares her experiences as a family physician in Nigeria, discussing the challenges and rewards of her profession. She reflects on her journey to becoming a doctor, the importance of cultural sensitivity in patient care, and the strengths of the Nigerian healthcare system, particularly the resilience of its healthcare workers. Dr. Nubwa emphasizes the need for collaboration among healthcare professionals and encourages future generations to treat patients with empathy and respect.

Takeaways:
- Being passionate about your work is crucial for balance.
- Finding your niche in medicine can be a blessing.
- The Nigerian healthcare system is resilient due to its people.
- Healthcare professionals often have to improvise due to limited resources.
- Cultural sensitivity is essential in treating diverse patients.
- Patients should continue seeking care despite past disappointments.
- Empathy in patient care can lead to better outcomes.
- Collaboration among healthcare workers is vital for success.
- Future physicians should treat patients as they would their family.
- The journey to becoming a physician can be challenging but rewarding.

Chapters

00:00 Generational Perspectives on Technology and Medicine
00:55 A Day in the Life of a Family Physician
02:56 The Journey to Becoming a Physician
05:49 Strengths of the Nigerian Healthcare System
09:09 Challenges in Healthcare and Professional Disparities
11:57 Cultural Sensitivity in Patient Care
14:47 Advice for Future Healthcare Professionals

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In this conversation, Edem shares his multifaceted journey as a medical student, DJ, and co-founder of organizations aimed at increasing representation in medicine. He discusses the importance of balancing creativity with the demands of medical school, the lessons learned from failure, and the significance of community engagement through initiatives like Sneakers to Scrubs and Elevate Social. Edem emphasizes the healing power of music and the importance of treating patients holistically, while also providing valuable insights for aspiring medical professionals.

And please follow us on:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themedtobe/?hl=en

AND...

Check out Edem's organizations mentioned in the video:
- Sneakers to Scrubs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sneakers2scrubs/
- Elevate Social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevatesocial/?hl=en

Chapters
00:00 Meet Edem
09:53 Balancing Multiple Interests
16:14 Navigating Medical School
33:44 Embracing Talents and Thinking Creatively in Medicine
35:56 Offical Outro.mp4


Takeaways:
- Music is a significant part of Edem's life.
- The importance of treating patients holistically, not just focusing on their diseases.
- Balancing creativity and medicine is essential for personal fulfillment.
- Gap years can provide valuable life experiences that enhance medical education.
- Embracing failure is crucial for growth and success in any field.
- Community engagement initiatives like Sneakers to Scrubs are vital for increasing diversity in medicine.
- The art of DJing involves understanding the energy of a crowd and the flow of music.
- Time management and setting boundaries are key to maintaining balance in a busy life.
- Consistency in efforts often leads to success, whether in music or medicine.
- It's important to leverage your unique talents in various fields, including medicine.

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Today's special guest: Dr. Antoinette Oknokwo(!!!), a physician based in the London, a world traveller, and a Grey's Anatomy stan!

Me: "If your life was a medical drama, what would the title be?"
Antoinette: "Who Let This Girl in Here?!"

Tune into today's episode to discover the story behind "Who Let This Girl In Here?!" starring Antoinette!

Antoinette's journey is a testament to the power of resilience, self-reflection, and adaptability in navigating a medical career. We delve into her experiences as a medical student in the UK, the benefits of stepping out of your comfort zone, and her decision to pivot to a career in investment banking post-graduation. I am truly in awe of Antoinette's brilliance and her ability to embrace the different seasons of her life. Please enjoy our conversation, and let us know what you think and what inspired you from today's episode!

And please follow us on:
- Instagram: @themedtobe

Chapters
00:00 Podcast Updates and New Logo Design
02:01 Rapid Fire Questions
07:21 Why Medicine?
11:25 University in the UK
20:46 Expectation vs Reality
25:14 The Next Step: a Career in Investment Banking?
31:36 Being Uncomfortable.

Takeaways:
- The decision to pursue medicine can be influenced by personal experiences and family background.
Choosing a medical school involves a rigorous application process, including exams and interviews.
- Practical decision-making and considering personal preferences are important factors in choosing a career path.
- Letting go of expectations and being open to different opportunities can lead to personal growth and success. The decision-making process for choosing a medical school can be challenging, and the reality may differ from expectations.
- Taking a break and pursuing another course during medical school is an option, but it should be a well-considered decision.
- Antoinette decided to work in investment banking instead of practicing medicine, highlighting the importance of exploring different career paths.
- She faced struggles with mental health during medical school and sought help to overcome them.
- Dealing with uncomfortable situations and failures is a part of the journey to success, and being honest with oneself is crucial.
- Failure does not define one's abilities or future success.
- Antoinette's story emphasizes the importance of resilience, self-reflection, and adaptability in navigating a medical career.

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Today's special guest: Ore Odeniyi (!!!), an M1 (first year medical student), musician, vocalist, and all around wonderful woman!

In today's episode, we chat about her journey in medicine and her experience in medical school. She initially wanted to become a lawyer but was inspired to pursue medicine after watching the movie 'Ben Carson's Gifted Hands' and witnessing healthcare disparities in Nigeria.

Ore emphasizes the importance of mental health and self-care in medical school and advises taking it slow and showing oneself grace. We discusses the challenges of adjusting to the new curriculum and developing effective study strategies. Ore also offers tips for transitioning to a student budget and highlights the importance of pursuing passions and maintaining a balanced life outside of medicine. In this conversation, Ore Odeniyi shares her goals of completing a marathon and pursuing a career in medicine.

She also discusses her hobbies, such as playing instruments and singing. Ore emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and letting go of perfectionism in the pursuit of a medical career. She encourages pre-med students to prioritize their mental and emotional health and find joy in activities outside of academics. Ore also shares her academic journey, including her GPA, MCAT scores, and extracurricular activities. She highlights the significance of tailoring applications to schools that align with one's strengths and interests.

Please enjoy our conversation, let us know what you think, and what inspired you from todays conversation! :)

And please follow us on:
- Instagram: @themedtobe

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In this conversation, I have the honor of interviewing Dr. Ope, a newly minted doctor who went to medical school in Nigeria. We discuss Dr.Ope's journey in medicine, her inspiration for going to medical school, and her experiences in both pre-clinical and clinical years.


Dr.Ope shares her struggles and how she dealt with moments of disappointment and the importance of perseverance. We also touch on the challenges of balancing medical school with other passions and the overwhelming amount of information to learn. We delve into how her medical school helped her develop as a holistic person and nurtured her talents outside of medicine. Dr.Ope talks about the phase of life she is currently in as a physician and the importance of self-reflection and self-awareness.


Lastly, she shares a few details on her beautiful relationship with her husband and how they supported each other during medical school. In this conversation, Nneoma Nzeduru interviews a guest about their journey through medical school and offers advice to aspiring medical students.


As always, I'm eager to hear your thoughts on today's episode and your ideas for future content on the Med to Be. You can catch the full episode on YouTube or give it a listen on Spotify! 🫶🏿✨]

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In today's episode, I talked with Daniel, a medical student (MS3), about how he turned his dream of going to medical school into reality. We discussed what medical school is really like compared to his expectations and shared some encouraging words for premeds and current medical students. It was great chatting with Daniel, and I hope you enjoy our conversation!

As always, I'm eager to hear your thoughts on today's episode and your ideas for future content on the Med to Be. You can catch the full episode on YouTube or give them a listen here, on Spotify! 🫶🏿✨