Building Belonging in Rotations With Benjamin Ihms, DO

Running on caffeine, minimal sleep, and an endless to-do list? In this episode of DO.fm’s The Fourth-Year Files, host Mercede Hess, national student president and fourth-year medical student at KCU-Joplin, joins fellow fourth-year students Brandon Rein and Sarah Gerard of NYIT-COM for an honest conversation about medical school burnout.Together, they explore recognizing burnout, managing sleep deprivation, protecting relationships, and giving yourself permission to rest. Plus, a round of “OMT or OMG?” put their clinical instincts to the test. Tune in for relatable experiences and reminders to pace yourself, stay connected, and make it through medical school without losing yourself along the way.

Caring for underserved patients can challenge physicians and medical students to look beyond a diagnosis and better understand the circumstances shaping a patient’s health. For preceptors, those experiences can also create opportunities to teach empathy, adaptability, and whole-person care.In this episode of DO.fm: Precepting Edition, Farah Ferreiro, DO, a family medicine physician and educator at Lakeland Regional Health, shares how her work with underserved communities has shaped both her practice and her approach to teaching future physicians. She discusses helping students recognize barriers to care, balance evidence-based recommendations with what is realistic for each patient, and understand the value of meeting patients where they are.Dr. Ferreiro shares:What working with underserved populations has taught her about resilience, empathy and patient care;How she helps medical students move beyond what they learn in textbooks and connect with the person behind the diagnosis;Ways osteopathic principles and OMT can support a whole-person approach to care;And more.

A strong sense of belonging can help medical students and residents navigate the loneliness and self-doubt that often accompany clinical training. For preceptors, small gestures of connection — and making room for questions — can help learners feel valued, build confidence, and stay engaged.In this episode of DO.fm: Precepting Edition, Dr. Ben Ihms, assistant program director at Dignity Health East Valley Family Medicine Residency and assistant professor and clinical course director at A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona, shares how his experiences as a teacher shape his approach to precepting. He discusses welcoming learners into the “family” of family medicine, supporting them through imposter syndrome, and showing them the rewards of whole-person care.Dr. Ihms shares:How preceptors can foster belonging during short clinical rotations;Ways to encourage questions and create opportunities for connection;Why learners benefit from making the most of clinical experiences, even outside their intended specialty;How family medicine offers a full-spectrum approach to caring for patients; andThe legacy he hopes to leave: keeping the patient at the center of care.

Many physicians worry they don't have time to precept. Yet preceptorship holds value in enhancing patient care, supporting lifelong learning, and helping medical students grow into confident, competent osteopathic physicians.In this first episode of DO.fm: Precepting Edition, Bruce Williams, DO, FACOFP dist., associate dean of clinical education at Kansas City University and past ACOFP president, shares how he integrates students into his practice in ways that don’t add to his stress — and in some cases even help with workflow.Dr. Williams shares:Ways to integrate students into real patient care so they contribute meaningfully without slowing clinic flow;Simple habits to stay organized, keep charts and paperwork current, and prevent stress from piling up;How precepting refines students’ clinical skills, keeps his own knowledge sharp, and pays off when learners match into residency;And moreIf you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your network.

In this episode of DO.fm: Precepting Edition, 2026 Master Preceptor Award recipient Matthew Told, DO, assistant chief medical officer at Syringa General Hospital in Grangeville, Idaho, reflects on the mentors who shaped him, his journey into full-spectrum family medicine, and how he strives to model “quiet confidence” for his learners. He shares how he meets students where they are, challenges common misconceptions about family medicine, and focuses on humility, professionalism, and patient-centered care.Dr. Told shares:How mentors, including his father, ACOFP leaders, and a confident residency preceptor shaped his teaching style, values, and commitment to osteopathic family medicine;How he meets students where they are by exploring their goals, easing anxiety, and giving them hands-on experiences that reveal the true breadth and meaning of family medicine;Why humility, openness to learning from everyone, and protecting patient privacy — especially in the age of social media — are essential to honoring patients’ trust and building a lasting legacy.Subscribe to be notified when the next episode of Precepting Edition drops. If you enjoy the show, please leave a review and share it with your network.

Board certification can feel complicated but understanding the process early can help residents prepare with confidence. In this episode, experts discuss the value of osteopathic board certification, the role of the in-service examination, available certification pathways, and common misconceptions about the process.Listeners will also learn about Early Entry, Traditional Certification, OMT certification, employer recognition, and financial assistance available through the ACOFP Foundation. The conversation offers practical guidance for residents preparing for certification and reassurance for those who may feel overwhelmed by the process.Moderated by Evan Bischoff, DO, and Brian Norheim, DO, and featuring Ryan Smith, DO; Joseph Mazzola, DO, FACOFP; and Shawdy Sedaghat, DO.

Family physicians can make a difference beyond the exam room by improving the health of entire communities. In this DO.fm podcast, students and residents will explore public health career pathways and learn practical ways to incorporate population health, prevention, and community-focused strategies into clinical practice.Listeners will also discover opportunities to participate in public health initiatives at the local, state, and national levels during training and throughout their careers.Presenters: Shikha Patel Muni, DO, and Megan Thompson, DO

In this episode of DO.fm: Precepting Edition, 2026 Master Preceptor Award recipient Doug Harley, DO, vice chief of education within the Primary Care Institute at Cleveland Clinic, reflects on more than two decades of mentoring medical students and residents. He shares how his teaching philosophy has evolved, why inquiry-based learning remains central to his approach, and how preceptors can adapt to different learning styles while continuing to grow as educators themselves.Dr. Harley shares:How he uses inquiry-based learning to help students develop clinical reasoning, curiosity, and lifelong learning habits;Strategies for adapting teaching methods to different learning styles and helping struggling learners find success;His approach to delivering constructive feedback that encourages growth while recognizing strengths;Why physicians and learners alike must embrace humility, remain open to new information, and continue learning throughout their careers;How emerging technologies, including AI, are changing medical education and patient care;Lessons from mentors who shaped his career and the legacy he hopes to pass on to future osteopathic physicians;And more.If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your network.

Discover how food, movement, stress management, and everyday habits can play a powerful role in preventing and managing disease. In this episode, Bernadette Riley, Roberteen McCray, and Ronald Torrence discuss practical approaches to culinary and lifestyle medicine and how future family physicians can incorporate nutrition, physical activity, behavior change, and healthy eating strategies into patient care.

Discover how artificial intelligence is transforming clinical practice, medical education, and the day-to-day work of family physicians. This podcast introduces students and residents to practical AI tools, emerging technologies, and real-world applications that can enhance efficiency, support clinical decision-making, and improve patient care.Learning Objectives• Explain the current and emerging uses of AI in family medicine, including documentation support, clinical decision tools, and patient engagement technologies.• Identify opportunities to integrate AI safely and effectively into clinical workflow while maintaining high-quality, patient-centered care.• Recognize the limitations, ethical considerations, and best practices for using AI in medical training and early practice.Speaker: Saroj Misra, DO, FACOFP dist.