When it comes to surgery, is "technologically advanced" always superior? Last summer, Chloe Sales (MS3) had the opportunity to explore this question in Kathmandu, Nepal, at the world-renowned Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology – whose doctors pioneered the use of a low-cost, low-tech procedure that's saved the vision of countless patients. In the …

In the last episode of our season, Paul and Chloe sit down with UCSF Chancellor Sam Hawgood, MBBS, to discuss the stages of his career, what's inspired him to stay at UCSF for over three decades, how keeping an open mind has led him to interesting places, and the importance of an inquisitive spirit as you take on new roles. Music by Podington Bear,…

In the penultimate episode of the season, Paul chats with Dr. Talmadge E. King, Jr., Dean of the School of Medicine & Vice Chancellor for Medical Affairs at UCSF, about how clinicians and specialties choose each other, the intentionality of truly collaborative environments, and how his career has steered him towards leadership.…

Chloe chats with (then incoming) Associate Dean for Continuing Medical Education, Lorriana Leard, MD, about the value of physician coaching (for both coach and medical student), how AI tools like ChatGPT and Bard may change how students learn and physicians work, balancing personal and professional life goals, and what she's most looking forward to…

Chloe chats with Valerie Gribben, MD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, about embracing the unknown throughout training, adopting a growth mindset, and the power of storytelling in medicine. Music by Podington Bear, licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0.

Paul chats with Dr. Peter Ureste, Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Dr. Ureste has roles across campus that allow him to mentor the next generation of medical professionals, and he explains the journey that led him to that. Paul and Chloe also discuss what they look for in a mentor/mentee relation…

"You will not always know enough, but you will always be enough." These are the words of wisdom that Dr. Khayam-Bashi shares with each new class, encouraging them to tap into useful emotions when caring for patients. Paul and Chloe talk about the perspective this lesson has given them in their medical education.…

Dr. Justin Sewell, Professor of Medicine, joins Paul and Chloe to discuss getting into med school on the first try (or not), maintaining boundaries between professional and personal lives, and the dream of living in the moment even as you look to the future.

Chloe and Paul are joined by Dr. Andy Josephson, Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurology. They discuss the importance of mentorship, how teaching is a skill that can be taught and learned, and the ways medical school offers opportunities to try new things, even for those on a straightforward path.…

In the first episode of the season we meet our new hosts, Chloe Sales (MS2) and Paul Brandfonbrener (MS1). Chloe talks to Anna Chang, MD, a professor in the Department of Medicine's Division of Geriatrics. Dr. Chang also directs the School of Medicine's Bridges Curriculum Clinical Microsystems Clerkship, the integrated clinical skills and health sy…

Welcome our new hosts, Chloe Sales (MS2) and Paul Brandfonbrener (MS1), as they present guests with the question: Where do you find joy, meaning, or purpose in your work?

In this episode, Mihir Joshi interviews Dr. Lee Jones, then-Associate Dean for Students at the UCSF School of Medicine. Dr Jones will join Georgetown University’s School of Medicine as the Dean of Medical Education later this summer. *Please excuse any background noises as our interviewers & interviewees are speaking remotely via video chat. Music …

(Recorded in Fall 2020) This episode is part 2 of 2 in our "Tale of Two Reopenings" miniseries. Dan Cummins first speaks with Drs. Alan Shindel, MD and Tami Rowen, MD, each faculty with UCSF, about what is has been like to be parents of young children and busy physicians during COVID-19, educational and broader inequalities underscored by the virus…

This episode is part 1 of 2 in our "Tale of Two Reopenings" mini-series. Dan Cummins speaks with Xavier 'Abe' Cortez, a third-year medical student reflecting on his experiences returning to the clinical wards after being removed during the Covid-19 pandemic. Then, Mihir Joshi speaks with Fiona Miller, a second-year medical student and mother of thr…

For much of medicine’s history as a profession, it was a crime for women to be doctors. While women gained the right to study and practice medicine in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, by 1965 less than 10% of medical school graduates were women. That changed dramatically in the 1970s with the Equal Rights Amendment and Title IX. Today, more …

Host Tessnim Ahmad (MS4) discusses the health and health-system impacts of climate change with Dr. Katherine Gundling, Clinical Professor Emerita and former practice chief for the Allergy/Immunology faculty practice; Dr. Seema Gandhi, Associate Clinical Professor in the department of anesthesia; and MS3s Colin Baylen and Nuzhat Islam, who helped fo…

Burnout is part of the American vernacular. It refers to the emotional exhaustion brought on by chronic work-related stress, and can manifest as cynicism and feeling like your work lacks meaning. The term was coined in the 1970s by psychologist Herbert Freudenberger. He volunteered in a free clinic for patients with drug addiction and he used “burn…

Burnout is part of the American vernacular. It refers to the emotional exhaustion brought on by chronic work-related stress, and can manifest as cynicism and feeling like your work lacks meaning. The term was coined in the 1970s by psychologist Herbert Freudenberger. He volunteered in a free clinic for patients with drug addiction and he used “burn…

Host Tessnim Ahmad (MS4) discusses opiate prescribing and related research with Dr. Wen Shen, Professor in the UCSF Department of Surgery, and his former mentee, Stephanie Kwan.. Music: Sneaker Chase by Podington Bear. Licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0.By UCSF School of Medicine

Gun violence is one of the biggest Health & policy epidemics gripping the country right now. In 2017, nearly 40,000 people in the United States died from guns. Perhaps more surprising, in the United States of America firearms are the second leading cause of death for children. Suicide accounts for the majority of gun deaths, followed by homicides i…

In this episode, we showcase the latest research and patient care initiatives at UCSF and its School of Medicine focused on treating people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementias, including student work in this area. Music: Sneaker Chase by Podington Bear. Licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0.By UCSF School of Medicine

In this episode, we showcase the latest research and patient care initiatives at UCSF and its School of Medicine focused on treating people with chronic pain, including student work in this area. We’ll hear from Dr. Mark Schumacher, MD, PhD, Professor and Chief of the Division of Pain Medicine in the Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care,…

In this episode, we feature initiatives in the School of Medicine focused on diversity, equity and inclusion – both in approaches to patient care and research, as well as in medical education via the Bridges Curriculum. We’ll hear from Dr. Michelle Guy, a professor of medicine and a dean’s diversity leader in the Differences Matter Initiative, as w…

In this episode, we feature UCSF initiatives and research aimed at caring for people with sleep disorders. We’ll hear from Dr. David Claman, a sleep disorders specialist who directs the UCSF Sleep Disorders Center. We also talk to fourth-year medical student Daniel Schwartz, who completed a research project in this area as part of his learning in t…

Music: Sneaker Chase by Podington Bear. Licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0.By UCSF School of Medicine