Best Samir Desai Podcasts (2024)

1
Energized at Work: Episode 19 with College Health Physician Dr. Marcy Youngdahl 27:35

19d ago27:35

27:35

I really enjoyed speaking with Dr. Marcy Youngdahl, a Family Practice physician who is the Director of Integrated Counseling and Health Services at Trinity University in San Antonio. I always enjoy speaking with physicians who have been strategic in their career choices, moving from one setting that was not ideal to another setting where they are s…

1
Energized at Work: Episode 18 with Urologist Dr. Mohit Khera 24:19

1M ago24:19

24:19

I so enjoyed speaking with Dr. Mohit Khera, who is Professor of Urology and Chair of the Department at the Baylor College of Medicine. He is also Director of the Laboratory for Andrology Research. Dr. Khera is very busy, but one of the things that struck me about our conversation is how much he enjoys the different areas of his work: the clinical c…

1
Energized at Work: Episode 17 with Patient Safety Researcher Dr. Hardeep Singh 30:49

2M ago30:49

30:49

Dr. Hardeep Singh is Co-Chief of the Health Policy, Quality, and Informatics Program at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center and Baylor College of Medicine. --He is a patient safety researcher and Professor of Medicine, and is committed to researching and developing resources to promote patient safety and diagnostic excellence in clinical pract…

1
Energized at Work: Episode 16 with Physician-Scientist Dr. Lavannya Pandit 35:01

3M ago35:01

35:01

--This was an enlightening and inspiring conversation with Dr. Lavannya Pandit, a Physician-Scientist at the Baylor College of Medicine. --Dr. Pandit is a clinician who also performs scientific research. She is a Pulmonary Critical Care physician on staff at the Michael E. DeBakey Veteran's Affairs Hospital in Houston. She is Director of the Pulmon…

1
Energized at Work: Episode 15 with Radiologist Dr. Monica Huang 34:09

3M ago34:09

34:09

Dr. Monica Huang is a Diagnostic Radiologist and researcher in the area of minimally invasive breast cancer treatment with cryoablation. This episode provides some great insights into crafting a career that connects deeply to your mission. Dr. Huang began her career as a faculty member at the Baylor College of Medicine, and later was in private pra…

1
Energized at Work: Episode 14 with Healthcare Administration Leader Dr. Abbey Vandersall 31:00

4M ago31:00

31:00

Dr. Abbey Vandersall is the Vice President of Quality and Clinical Services at AMSURG, an organization that maintains over 250 ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) across the United States. Her work encompasses patient safety and quality, as well as other areas that impact clinical care such as operations, strategy, policy, and government affairs. In…

1
Energized at Work: Episode 13 with Family Practice Physician/ Fair Trade Medicine Proponent Dr. Andru Zeller 29:29

4M ago29:29

29:29

Dr. Andru Zeller is a primary care physician who is focused on fair trade medicine. He founded the Simply Salud Clinic in 2004 as a family-centered, fair trade, integrative medical practice for people of limited economic means. Dr. Zeller completed a family practice residency, followed by a fellowship in rural health. He talks about the strength an…

1
Energized at Work: Episode 12 with Pediatric Allergist/Immunologist Dr. Pooja Varshney 20:44

5M ago20:44

20:44

Dr. Pooja Varshney is a Pediatric Allergist and Immunologist at the Dell Children’s Hospital in Austin Texas. She is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Dell Medical School at the University of Texas Austin, and is Director of the Dell Children’s Food Allergy Center, a clinical research center of distinction. She is the principal investigat…

1
Energized at Work: Episode 11 with Dermatologist Dr. Stephanie Cotell 24:31

5M ago24:31

24:31

Dr. Stephanie Cotell is a dermatologist in private practice in Columbus, Ohio. She has been in practice for over 25 years, and as she says, “I love my job." This episode provides a great overview of what it is like to practice general dermatology. Dr. Cotell practices mainly medical dermatology, with some procedural dermatology and cosmetic dermato…

1
Energized at work: Episode 10 with Dr. Srihari Gopal, Drug Development Leader 17:58

5M ago17:58

17:58

I was very glad to have the opportunity to speak with Dr. Srihari Gopal, who is a physician in the pharmaceutical industry and current Global Head at Regeneron. His work has encompassed multiple areas within drug development, from study design and research to regulatory filings to leading drug development teams. I have fielded a number of questions…

1
Energized at Work: Episode 9 with Dr. William "Brett" Perkison, Occupational and Environmental Medicine Physician 29:14

5M ago29:14

29:14

This conversation with Dr. Brett Perkison highlighted several interesting aspects of both Occupational Medicine and career development. First, many medical students are simply not exposed to Occupational Medicine as a specialty choice. Learning about the different career choices within this specialty is interesting. Residents receive a Masters of P…

1
Energized at Work: Episode 8 with Dr. Terri-Ann Samuels, Urogynecology/ Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgeon 28:31

5M ago28:31

28:31

This conversation with Dr. Terri-Ann Samuels highlights the field of urogynecology/female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. It was an interesting overview of the field, and Dr. Samuels also had some great advice for medical students, including an emphasis on lifelong learning. With all of the advances in surgery and surgical techniques, a…

1
Energized at Work: Episode 7 with Dr. Munish Chawla, Lifestyle Medicine Physician 34:02

6M ago34:02

34:02

Dr. Munish Chawla is a Diagnostic Radiologist who later became a board-certified Lifestyle Medicine Physician due to his deep passion for the field. In speaking with him, I was really struck by the fulfillment he finds in this new field. He told me that reading a CT scan and making a diagnosis is gratifying, but the feeling of seeing a patient succ…

1
Energized at Work: Episode 6 with Dr. Caitlin Sutton, Maternal Fetal Anesthesiology 38:01

8M ago38:01

38:01

How do you build a career on the cutting edge of medicine? For Dr. Caitlin Sutton, Division Chief of Maternal-Fetal Anesthesiology at Texas Children's Hospital, it involves pursuing your professional passions-- even when you receive unsolicited negative feedback from colleagues. Our conversation was a good reminder for me that working on the cuttin…

1
Energized at Work: Episode 5 with Dr. Ying Guo, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Cancer Rehabilitation 26:17

8M ago26:17

26:17

Dr. Guo is a Professor of Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine at the MD Anderson Cancer Center. As a rehabilitation physician, she works with cancer patients at all stages of their therapy to improve their function and recovery. She also brings an integrative approach to her care: later in her career, she went back to school to become certified…

1
Energized at Work: Episode 4 with Dr. Anthony Brissett, Facial Plastic Surgeon and Medical Non-Profit Founding Member 34:26

9M ago34:26

34:26

There are several insights shared in this episode with Dr. Anthony Brissett which really struck me as important for career longevity. Dr. Brissett is a facial plastic surgeon and ENT physician. He wears a lot of hats, including responsibilities in clinical care, research, teaching, administration, and increasing responsibilities related to his medi…

1
Energized at Work: Episode 3 with Dr. Sejal Desai, Obesity Medicine Physician and Family Medicine Physician 29:30

9M ago29:30

29:30

Dr. Sejal Desai is double board-certified in Family Medicine and Obesity Medicine, and one of the things that really comes through in this episode is the deep connection she feels to her work as an obesity medicine physician. In fact, she calls Obesity Medicine “happy medicine“, and she describes how happy she was that she discovered this field wel…

1
Energized at Work: Episode 2 Dr. Thao Galvan Transplant Surgeon 41:43

9M ago41:43

41:43

Dr. Thao Galvan is a pediatric and adult transplant surgeon, in the division of abdominal transplantation. She is an Associate Professor of Surgery at the Baylor College of Medicine, and operates at Baylor-affiliated hospitals and Texas Children’s Hospital. She is also an award-winning educator, health policy scholar, and researcher. In this episod…

1
Energized at work: Episode 1 with Dr. Amy Paller Pediatric Dermatologist and Translational Researcher 14:25

10M ago14:25

14:25

In this episode, Dr. Amy Paller shares some of her insights and strategies behind her long and impactful career as a clinician, translational researcher, and Professor and Chair. One of those insights is that in order to succeed as a researcher, it takes a village. She advises students that success in research depends on a great team, as well as me…

1
Succeeding on the USMLE Step 2 exam (Part 2): Active Learning Strategies for medical students 25:03

1+ y ago25:03

25:03

How can you best prepare for the USMLE Step 2 exam? In this episode, we continue our conversation with Dr. Ryan Downey, test performance coach and expert in educational assessment. Dr. Downey discusses three of the “highest utility,” or most effective, active learning techniques he teaches his clients. Internally referred to as the “Three T’s of Ac…

1
Succeeding on the USMLE Step 2 exam (Part 1): The “open secret” to increasing your USMLE Step 2 score by 40 points 25:35

1+ y ago25:35

25:35

With the Step 1 exam now using Pass/Fail scoring, the numerical score on the Step 2 CK exam is even more important than ever. How can you be sure that you’re preparing for the USMLE Step 2 exam in the best way possible? In this episode, we interview Dr. Ryan Downey, test performance coach and expert in educational assessment. Dr. Downey discusses s…

1
Preparing for the MMI Multiple Mini Interview Part 2 20:50

2+ y ago20:50

20:50

How do you prepare for the MMI multiple mini interview? As more medical schools adopt this format, premed students need to be prepared to interview at medical schools that use this format. In this episode, Dr. Rajani Katta, author of the books "The Medical School Interview" and "The MMI: Strategies From Admissions Faculty", breaks down the process …

1
Preparing for the MMI Multiple Mini Interview Part 1 28:56

3y ago28:56

28:56

How do you prepare for the MMI multiple mini interview? As more medical schools adopt this format, premed students need to be prepared to interview at medical schools that use this format. In this episode, Dr. Rajani Katta, author of The Medical School Interview and the MMI: Strategies From Admissions Faculty, breaks down the process of preparing f…

1
How To Match Into a Competitive Specialty: Part 2 11:43

3y ago11:43

11:43

What does it take to match into a competitive specialty or program? In Part 2 of this series, join Drs. Samir Desai and Rajani Katta as they discuss important strategies to significantly improve your chances. In this episode, you'll learn about faculty advocates, why it's important to develop relationships with them, and how they can help you reach…

1
How To Match Into a Competitive Specialty: Part 1 19:27

3y ago19:27

19:27

How do you match into a competitive specialty? In this episode, we discuss specific strategies for matching, even if you have a lower USMLE score or may otherwise be less competitive than other applicants. We review three major strategies, including the importance of contact with a program's faculty, the importance of faculty advocates, and the imp…

1
Supplemental ERAS Application Part 3: Preference Signaling 9:28

3y ago9:28

9:28

In the 2021-2022 residency application cycle, applicants applying to internal medicine, general surgery, and dermatology will be able to signal programs of their significant interest through the ERAS supplemental application. In this episode, join Dr. Samir Desai as he discusses preference signaling, why it's in your best interests to participate i…

1
Supplemental ERAS Application Part 2: Geographic Information 10:52

3y ago10:52

10:52

This is Part 2 of our series on the supplemental ERAS application which was introduced in 2021 for residency applicants applying to internal medicine (preliminary and categorical), general surgery (categorical), and dermatology. In Part 1, we talked about how to complete the past experiences section of this application. In this episode, our focus i…

1
Supplemental ERAS Application Part 1: Past Experiences 10:40

3y ago10:40

10:40

In 2021, the supplemental ERAS application was added as a new component of the residency application for applicants applying to internal medicine (preliminary and categorical), general surgery (categorical), and dermatology residency programs. In this episode, join Dr. Samir Desai as he discusses why the supplemental application came into existence…

1
How Residency Applicants Can Find Research Opportunities and Increase Their Chances of Publication 20:31

3y ago20:31

20:31

We know that participation in research, especially work that leads to publication or presentation, can strengthen the residency application. However, a major challenge is finding such opportunities. In this episode, join Drs. Samir Desai and Rajani Katta as they break down the process of finding research projects and mentors. Among the questions th…

1
Advice from a Caribbean Medical School Graduate: Interview with Dr. Marc Katz 37:09

3y ago37:09

37:09

Over 5,200 U.S. citizen IMGs participated in the 2021 NRMP Match. These students had to answer some difficult questions before they started medical school. Among them: Should I attend medical school outside the U.S.? Will my decision to go abroad affect my specialty choice? What can I do to maximize my chances of success in the residency match? To …

1
NRMP SOAP: How To Prepare in Case You Don't Match 36:07

3+ y ago36:07

36:07

On Monday of Match Week, the NRMP informs residency applicants if they have matched. Unmatched applicants can take part in the NRMP Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program, also known as SOAP. SOAP offers a process for applicants to secure positions in unfilled residency programs. The process is very competitive with over 12,000 applicants compet…

1
How To Succeed In Your Telemedicine Rotation 25:58

3+ y ago25:58

25:58

Although telemedicine has been available for years, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated its use not only in patient care but also in medical education. Drs. Rajani Katta and Samir Desai discuss telemedicine rotations and how students can make the most of these learning opportunities while working as part of the healthcare team. With a focus on vi…

1
Matching into Internal Medicine with USMLE Brazil Founder - Dr. Bruno Lima 47:12

3+ y ago47:12

47:12

If you are an international medical graduate (IMG) seeking to complete your residency training in the U.S., you will face unique challenges in your efforts to match successfully. Overcoming these challenges will require a strong understanding of the application process as well as the strength and perseverance to handle the ups and downs that you wi…

1
Virtual Medical School and Residency Interviews: Tips for Success 32:38

3+ y ago32:38

32:38

Medical schools and residency programs have shifted to virtual interviews in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While virtual interviews offer a safe alternative to in-person interviews, they do present applicants with unique challenges. In this episode, Drs. Rajani Katta and Samir Desai share their perspectives on common mistakes applicants make w…

1
Analyzing your Activities Before the Medical School Interview 8:13

4y ago8:13

8:13

The strongest medical school interview responses are those that are unique to you. Creating these types of responses relies on being able to discuss and highlight your unique interests, strengths, goals, and experiences. That's why it's so important to review and analyze all of the activities that you have been able to take part in. Reviewing your …

1
A Common Medical School Interview Question: Why Are You Interested In Our Medical School? 15:32

4y ago15:32

15:32

There are some questions that we can confidently say you will be asked at every medical school admissions interview. "Why are you interested in our medical school" is certainly one of them. Unfortunately, many applicants fail to develop and deliver an answer that resonates with their interviewers. In this episode, Dr. Rajani Katta and Dr. Samir Des…

1
Medical School Admissions Interview: More Important than GPA or MCAT? 13:02

4y ago13:02

13:02

After all those hours spent in class and studying for the MCAT, not to mention poring over your application and personal statement to make sure it's just right, you've received the words you've been waiting to hear. "We would like to invite you for an interview..." The final hurdle in the medical school admissions process is the interview. But how …

1
Why You Should Consider Writing Program-Specific Personal Statements For Residency 28:16

4y ago28:16

28:16

Although residency applicants may submit the same personal statement to all programs, ERAS allows applicants to create program-specific personal statements. Should you personalize or customize your personal statement for different programs? Join Drs. Rajani Katta and Samir Desai as they discuss the pros and cons of sending program-specific statemen…

1
USMLE Step 2 CS Exam Suspended: What IMGs Should Know About New Pathways for ECFMG Certification 17:20

4y ago17:20

17:20

In response to the suspension of the USMLE Step 2 CS exam due to COVID, the ECFMG has identified new pathways for ECFMG accreditation for international medical graduates (IMGs) who have not yet taken and passed the CS exam. Join Drs. Rajani Katta and Samir Desai as they discuss the five new pathways for certification and what steps you should take …

1
The Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE), also known as the Dean's letter, and its importance in the residency match 22:27

4y ago22:27

22:27

The Medical Student Performance Evaluation or MSPE, previously known as the Dean's Letter, is an important part of the residency application. In a recent survey of over 1,200 program directors representing 24 specialties, over 80% of programs cited the MSPE as a factor used to make interview decisions. To put this in context, only two other criteri…

1
Step 2 CS Suspension: Implications for Residency Applicants 16:21

4y ago16:21

16:21

The USMLE program has suspended the USMLE Step 2 CS (Clinical Skills) exam for the next 12-18 months due to the coronavirus pandemic. What does this mean for residency applicants? Join Drs. Rajani Katta and Samir Desai as they discuss the implications of this decision for medical students and international medical graduates.…

1
What Medical Students need to know about Strong Letters of Recommendation and The Residency Match 32:09

4y ago32:09

32:09

Letters of recommendation are extremely important for success in the residency match. How important are these letters? In a recent survey of program directors in 24 specialties, letters were rated second in importance. The only factor rated more important in making interview decisions was the USMLE Step 1 score. In this episode, Drs. Rajani Katta a…

1
Coronavirus and the residency match: What US medical students should do next 22:33

4y ago22:33

22:33

The process of applying for a residency position in the Match is challenging under normal circumstances. The coronavirus pandemic has made the process even more complex. In this episode, Drs. Rajani Katta and Samir Desai discuss how U.S. medical students can adapt to this rapidly changing situation. You'll learn what steps to take now, what to do i…

1
What to do if your Observership or Externship was canceled due to Coronavirus 24:05

4+ y ago24:05

24:05

The coronavirus pandemic has led hospitals to cancel their observership and externship programs for international medical graduates (IMGs). In this episode, Drs. Rajani Katta and Samir Desai discuss how this will impact IMGs in the residency match. You will learn how to find and take part in U.S. clinical experience during these difficult times and…

1
USMLE Step 1 Pass/Fail | What This Means for IMG Residency Applicants 19:56

4+ y ago19:56

19:56

The USMLE Step 1 exam will change from numerical scoring to pass/fail scoring in 2022. This will have a major effect on the way in which residency programs evaluate applicants. What does this mean for international medical students and graduates seeking to apply to residency in the United States? Join Dr. Rajani Katta and Dr. Samir Desai, authors o…

1
Why I Went To St. Matthews University School of Medicine: Advice for Premedical Students 29:49

4+ y ago29:49

29:49

With so many medical school options in the Caribbean, it can be difficult for premedical students to decide which school to attend. In this episode, join Dr. Samir Desai as he interviews Sapana Desai, a graduate of the St. Matthews University School of Medicine located on the island of Grand Cayman. After learning why she chose to attend the school…

1
How I Got Into Harvard Medical School: Strategies to Boost your GPA (Part 2) 35:55

6y ago35:55

35:55

Dr. Samir Desai continues his conversation with Showly Nicholson who recently received some great news - he got into Harvard Medical School! In Part 1 of this two-part series, Showly described his journey to medical school with a focus on academics. He introduced some of the strategies he discovered that led him to achieve all As. Now, in part 2, S…

1
How I Got Into Harvard Medical School: Strategies to Boost your GPA (Part 1) 36:52

6y ago36:52

36:52

Join Dr. Samir Desai as he interviews Showly Nicholson who just received some great news - he got into Harvard Medical School! In Part 1 of this two-part series, Showly describes his journey to medical school with a focus on academics. Although he set a goal to achieve all As in high school, this goal proved to be elusive. You'll see how Showly mad…

1
Applying to Internal Medicine Residency: 3 Important Factors 8:07

6y ago8:07

8:07

With over 500 internal medicine residency programs to choose from, it can be difficult for applicants to decide which programs to apply. In this episode, join Dr. Samir Desai as he discusses 3 important factors to consider.

1
How I Matched Into Psychiatry: Interview With Dhruv Gupta (Part 2) 49:04

6y ago49:04

49:04

In this episode, Dr. Samir Desai continues his conversation with Dhruv Gupta, a fourth-year medical student who just received some good news. He got into Psychiatry! Part 2 will provide an in-depth look at letters of recommendation and the residency interview. Although some of the information is directed towards psychiatry residency applicants, all…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Samir Desai Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide