Journey To Medicine

Dr. Todd Anderson is the Dean of the Cumming School of Medicine and a Professor of Cardiac Sciences at the University of Calgary.  - In this episode, we discuss Dr. Anderson’s path to becoming Dean of the Cumming School of Medicine and the diverse career opportunities available for Canadian physicians. Dr. Anderson discusses tackling Alberta’s primary care crisis, particularly in rural areas and highlighting how expanding physician training in small- to mid-size centres can help address such healthcare issues. This leads to a discussion on locally-based medical education opportunities being made available for smaller communities in southern Alberta (University of Lethbridge) and northern Alberta (Northwestern Polytechnic). - I hope you enjoy listening!

Feng Yun (Miriam) Li is an R2 internal medicine resident at the University of Calgary and earned her Doctor of Medicine (MD) from the University of Alberta. - In this episode, we discuss Miriam's life as an internal medicine resident, highlighting various aspects of the specialty. Next, we discuss listener questions on finding references, managing burnout, taking the MCAT, and more. Miriam's responses challenge common misconceptions and highlight the diverse, equally valuable paths to becoming a Canadian physician. - I hope you enjoy listening!

Aryan graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Science this year and has been admitted to the Doctor of Medicine program at the Temerty School of Medicine, University of Toronto. In this episode, we discuss Aryan’s journey to becoming a medical student. Specifically, Aryan provides useful strategies for writing the MCAT, taking CASPer, finding references, and much more. I hope you enjoy listening!

Bilal graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Health Sciences and has been admitted to the Doctor of Medicine program at the Temerty School of Medicine, University of Toronto. In this episode, we discuss Bilal’s journey to becoming a medical student. To begin, Bilal touches on strategies for studying, time management, and extracurricular involvement during undergrad. In addition, Bilal discusses his approach to writing the MCAT, preparing his application essays, and attending medical school interviews, providing his own advice to aspiring medical students. I hope you enjoy listening!

Gavin is currently completing a master’s in neuroscience at the University of Calgary and is the developer of Med Mock Interviewer; an AI-power tool to help medical school applicants prepare for medical school interviews. This tool allows the user to simulate medical school interviews, with expert-level feedback and original questions.  In this episode, we discuss how Gavin built Med Mock Interviewer, the tool’s evaluation process for the user’s responses and the future directions he hopes the project will take. In addition, Gavin touches on his view of AI’s role in healthcare and specific AI-based tools for students to transform their learning process. I hope you enjoy listening!

Eddie studied neuroscience for two years, then studied engineering for another two years at the University of Alberta before being accepted into the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary. Eddie is in his second year of the three-year MD program offered by the Cumming School of Medicine and is going to begin his clerkship in the coming weeks. In this episode, we touch on Eddie’s interests and how they ultimately led him to medicine. Eddie discusses how studying engineering as an undergraduate affected his approach to writing the MCAT and provides specific strategies and resources he used when preparing for his medical school interviews. Additionally, Eddie touches on how one’s experiences in medical school can differ when completing a three-year instead of a four-year MD program. I hope you enjoy listening!

Shubh is a Schulich leader scholar, a former biomedical sciences student at the University of Calgary, and is currently completing his first year of medical school at the University of Toronto.  In this episode, we discuss Shubh’s experiences with the Bachelor of Health Sciences program, conducting research, and personal experiences which, collectively, have fueled his passion for medicine. Furthermore, Shubh touches on the specific strategies and approaches he employed for taking the MCAT, writing his application essays, as well as medical school interviews. I hope you enjoy listening!

Dr. Boldt has over 30 years of experience as an anesthesiologist and discusses in this episode why he chose to pursue his specialization. Additionally, Dr. Boldt discusses what the day-to-day life of an anesthesiologist can look like and highlights upcoming and ongoing changes to his practice. In this episode, we touch on all things anesthesia, discussing its vast nuances and different sub-specializations one can pursue as an anesthesiologist. Furthermore, Dr. Boldt discusses how medical practitioners must also be constantly learning about advancements and information relating to their practice in order to provide the best care possible to their patients. I hope you enjoy listening!

Dr. Brianne St. Hillaire practices family medicine in the Peace Region of northern Alberta, Canada and recently finished her residency program in Grande Prairie. Prior to completing her time as a resident, Dr. St. Hillaire graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Science with an honours degree in neuroscience where she also would go on to complete medical school. In this episode, we touch on different aspects of building one’s resume for a medical school application such as completing research and studying for the MCAT. Additionally, Dr. St. Hillaire speaks about perseverance in regard to the rigour associated with pursuing medicine as a career. I hope you enjoy listening! 

Dr. Melody Biette practices family medicine in the Peace Region of Alberta, Canada and is a recent medical graduate from the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary and completed her residency at the University of Alberta. In this episode, we discuss Dr. Biette's unconventional journey to medicine as well as touch on specifics regarding the interview process and medical school experience at the Cumming School of Medicine. Furthermore, Dr. Biette speaks on the life of a resident as well as how and why she decided to pursue family medicine. I hope you enjoy listening!